Swarf Removal

As helpful as you folks are, I don't think I should ask for help
without contributing, even if I'm new at this and can only submit
ideas. That being said:

One problem I've seen mentioned on several websites is the need to
periodically stop a machine tool to remove cuttings or"swarf" which
builds up on the ways of the tool and has to be cleared. I've been
gutting a lot of old printers for steppers and electronics, and it
occured to me that the tractor paper drive from an old printer would
make a nice basis for a conveyor belt to remove swarf as it is
produced. This would be especially adaptable to lathes, where a porous
belt- made from a nylon mesh bag, say for potatoes- located under
the bed would move the swarf out past the chip tray and dump it in a
hopper. A porous belt would allow for coolant to fall through and be
recirculated. The larger diameter rubber paper rollers might be useful
if you wanted your swarf conveyor to go over the ways and return under
the bed. A DPDT relay could turn on the conveyor at the same time the
coolant pump is activated.


Thanks for being here to help,

Jeff Hayes