Sheffield-based Gripple has enjoyed a 50% increase in tool life and 44% reduction in downtime on its Star sliding-head CNC lathe by installing a MicroMag magnetic filter from Eclipse Magnetics.

In order to satisfy its environmental commitments, Gripple was keen to maximise efficiency and reduce waste on the lathe, which included exploring ways to prolong coolant life and enable the coolant flow system to work as efficiently as possible.
Since installing the MicroMag, the build-up of swarf material in the bottom tank of the Star machine has been significantly reduced, while the coolant flow system is working more efficiently due to the reduction in swarf circulating in the coolant. In contrast, before the addition of the MicroMag, the bottom tank of the CNC lathe needed to be cleaned approximately every month. There has been such a significant reduction in swarf collecting in the tank that it now only needs cleaning every 50 days. As a result, Gripple can reduce the frequency of cleaning from 12 times per year to just over seven. In addition, the bottom tank previously took approximately 45 minutes to clean, but has since reduced to just 25 minutes.
The tool change data is also impressive since the installation of the MicroMag. For example, on some tool locations, the number of EN1A (leaded) steel components produced has increased by 50% before the tool requires replacement; from 10,000 to 15,000 parts.
Gripple employee Jake Slaughter says: “The MicroMag is a great addition to the lathe and really improves the way it runs. In the long term, I estimate that the company will be able to produce a lot more components with MicroMag units installed on all of the machines.”
For further information www.eclipsemagnetics.com