Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Coolant control.

Marcus & Eva wrote:

> Hi Fitch:
> Am I correct in assuming that your mill is a kneemill?
> (I'm not too familiar with Lagun mills)
> Recognize first of all, that without a full enclosure you will always have a
> problem with coolant containment and chip containment.
> I would not piddle around with localized containment, I would build a
> monster containment box around the whole front of the mill with only the
> electronics and electrics poking out. ( and the knee elevation crank if you
> have Z only on the quill)

The problem with this is it becomes hard to keep coolant (and chips) out of the
works, especially the ways and screws. If you let wet swarf accumulate on the
table, it pretty soon starts to drip down the sides, and can contaminate the ways.
This can cause horrible corrosion, even in factory-built CNC machines.
There may be ways to put 'awnings' on the front and back of the table to prevent
liquid from dripping down the sides. This would be a big help. Maybe even extend
the idea to a 'gutter' with a drain hose back to the sump. This would keep the
drips from going down onto the Y ways. Then, a standard way protector setup
could pretty much take it from there.

But, you can't just let all that stuff splash all over a knee mill like a properly
designed CNC machine.

Jon