In today's highly automated metal cutting process, the sheer volume of swarf generated can present unforseen problems. Dealing with these problems at the source is not only good housekeeping but it
can also capitalise on the market for recycle materials.
Swarf processing systems such as those designed and manufactured by Arboga-Darenth, when linked directly to high speed machine tools, can provide users with a number of savings. With swarf generally having a coolant content of up to 25% the use of a centrifuge which can claim up to 95% of this (expensive) coolant for recycling is a great way to start the process. The difference in saleable value of drier aluminium swarf to that which comes direct from the machine tool can be worth approximately A$200 per tonne to the manufacturer - even greater for some of the more exotic alloys.
Such equipment is all-automatic in operation and supports continuous flow types of manufacturing operations. Those designed, manufactured and tested within the Arboga-Darenth Group can be sized
to process material in the 500 to 5000 kg/hr range.
Main components might include an HD centrifuge working in conjunction with a KB crusher. The former unit is a horizontal design which ensures that it empties of swarf and coolant completely when stopped. This permits almost immediate access to the bowl and screen as opposed to the hours lost in gaining access to vertical types on the market. The crusher has the ability to reduce large bundles of swarf down to chips approximately 5cm long which ensures that all subsequent handling of the scrap is clean, fast and efficient.
The best solution for rational swarf handling varies from one kind of operation to another, depending on production layout, quality and volume of swarf and so it pays to call in a specialist company at an early stage. Many machine tool manufacturers offer Arboga-Darenth swarf conveyors and coolant filtration systems as standard extras for standalone machine applications, but where a really high volume machine is to be used, or where a battery of different machines is to be located in a single site, a really efficient central processing station can pay big dividends in terms of shop floor cleanliness and securing the maximum cost savings available by recycling all materials surplus to the manufacturing process and by recycling internally those costly coolants and oils.
