Coolant

Using a CNC coolant system is an excellent method to improve cut quality and to extend the life of your tooling. In some applications it is not just a good idea, it is an absolute necessity. In many cutting applications, particularly plastics, the remelting of the cut particles is often the source of cut quality problems. Removing these cut particles with an air source sometimes solves the problem. In other cases, both cooling and air supply are required to remove cut particles. Considering how expensive CNC tooling can be for some applications, extending the life of your bits also puts money back in your pocket.

Three standard CNC Router coolant systems that you are likely to consider are: Micro-Drop Coolant Systems, Mist Coolant Systems and Cold Air Guns. All three systems cool the tool, not the workpiece. The Micro-Drop and Mist systems are used primarily on metal cutting applications, whereas plastics, woods and some metals can be cut with the Cold Air Gun.



The highest initial purchase price of the three is the micro-drop system. The main benefit of a micro-drop system is that it is a much cleaner system than misting. The unit's micro-dispenser applies very small amounts of coolant to the tool. This is beneficial in that it does not waste product, it is a cleaner cooling method, but also, because of these aspects it can be used with a vacuum table (a Techno setup). Coolant, in general, can damage the material typically used on vacuum tables.

Misting coolants are less expensive than micro-drops and are equally successful in cooling the tool. They have a large reservoir capacity to maintain the constant flow of coolant. As opposed to the micro-drops intermittent application of coolant, the mister applies a steady stream. The nature of this system does not lend itself to clean operations, and therefore are not recommended in conjunction with a vacuum table.

The Vortex cold air gun can work with or without a vacuum system setup and is ideal for plastics and woods. Its steady stream of cold air prevents melting and chips igniting. The vortex tube's cylindrical generator causes compressed air to rotate, reaching speeds of up to 1,000,000 rpm, as it is forced down a longer inner wall of the tube, to produce the super-cooled air that exits through an air exhaust port.



The main drawback of using a cold air gun is that a fairly large compressor is required. This need for a substantial compressor does add to the overall cost of the unit.

Accessories: Coolant