SK9765Y1 - Device for automatic dosing of cooling fluid and additives into the cooling fluid reservoirs of machine tools - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for automatic dosing of cooling fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools is designed in such a way that its basis is a dosing/mixing unit at the inlet consisting of a water supply branch and a compressed air supply branch. Furthermore, it contains an electronically controlled mixing unit (20) of concentrate with a reservoir (12) of basic concentrate and also contains an electronically controlled mixing unit (22) of additives with a first reservoir (13) of additives and a second reservoir (14) of additives. The output of the electronically controlled additive mixing unit (22) is connected to the input system of the output electronically controlled valves (25) by output terminals (26) for the system of transport pipes (4).

Description

The field of technology

The technical solution concerns a device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools. The technical solution falls into the field of mechanical engineering and production technologies.

Current state of the art

In order to achieve the desired effects of cutting fluids in chip machining processes at low operating costs during the entire service life, it is necessary to ensure regular maintenance and care of cutting fluids. The maintenance of cutting fluids generally consists of the collection and evaluation of selected properties of cutting fluids and the implementation of the required corrective measures. These activities can be performed by the machine operator, an authorized person, an external company, or a combination thereof. The collection and evaluation of selected properties of cutting fluids consists in taking a sample of cutting fluids from the cutting fluid reservoir and analyzing it using manual or laboratory equipment. The parameter of concentration [%], acidity, or acidity [pH] and the amount of microorganisms and bacteria. The collection and evaluation of selected properties of cutting fluids can be performed manually - using hand-held devices, or automatically using complex systems.

In the event that the parameters of the cutting fluid do not meet the specified limits, or its quantity in the machine is insufficient, corrective measures must be taken. The most frequently implemented corrective measures include replenishing the missing amount of cutting fluid, increasing or decreasing the value of the concentration of the cutting fluid, and adding additives to adjust the acidity or microbial stabilization of the cutting fluid.

Corrective measures are mostly carried out manually by machine operators or by automated systems. In the case of manually implemented corrective measures, inaccurate and irregular dosing of cutting fluid or additives may occur, which results in deterioration of the operating properties of the cutting fluid and, in extreme cases, a substantial shortening of the service life of the cutting fluid. Deficiencies of manually implemented corrective measures can be eliminated with the help of automated systems. Automated systems carry out corrective measures at regular intervals, while precise dosing of cutting fluid or additives is ensured. The disadvantage of automated systems is that they are mostly designed as bulky and difficult-to-operate devices that can provide corrective measures for only one machine. In the case of the application of such a system for the entire workplace (8 to 15 machines), the investment associated with the purchase and operation of the system represents a significant economic cost for the company. The above results in the need for a simple, easy-to-operate device for automatically adjusting the cutting fluid parameters, capable of ensuring the adjustment of the cutting fluid parameters for several machines at the same time.

For the reasons mentioned, there is a need for a simple device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools.

The essence of the technical solution

The shortcomings of the state of the art are eliminated by the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools according to the technical solution, the essence of which is that it consists of a dosing/mixing unit, which is the main component of the device, a control panel and a cutting concentrate reservoir and additive. From the dosing/mixing unit emerges an n-member system of transport pipes terminated by outlet nozzles immersed in the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools. Monitoring devices can be placed in the cutting fluid reservoirs.

An essential member of the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools is the dosing/mixing unit, the essence of which is that it consists of a water supply branch with a water supply inlet element and a compressed air supply branch with a supply inlet element compressed air. A filter, a first control valve, a first pressure sensor, a first electronically controlled inlet valve, a first one-way valve, which is connected to the inlet of an electronically controlled concentrate mixing unit, are located behind the inlet element of the water supply. A second control valve, a second pressure sensor, a second electronically controlled inlet valve, a second one-way valve, which is connected to the inlet of the electronically controlled concentrate mixing unit, are located behind the input element of the compressed air supply. The second pressure sensor is followed by a third inlet electronically controlled valve and a third one-way valve. The electronically controlled concentrate mixing unit is connected to the base concentrate tank. Behind the output of the electronically controlled concentrate mixing unit is a control flow refractometer, followed by an electronically controlled additive mixing unit, to which the first additive reservoir and the second additive reservoir are connected via an electronically controlled merging member. The output of the electronically controlled additive mixing unit is connected to the fourth one-way valve. The outputs of the third one-way valve and the fourth one-way valve are connected to the input system of the output electronically controlled valves by the output terminals 26 for the system of transport pipes.

The device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives to the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools can be expanded with a device for automatic data collection for automatic evaluation of selected properties of cutting fluids, the so-called measuring/monitoring device, which creates a complex system for measuring, evaluating and adjusting selected properties of the cutting fluid. In the event that the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives to the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools is operated independently, without a measuring/monitoring device, it is necessary for the operator or the person responsible for the condition of the cutting fluid to collect the selected properties of the cutting fluids and enter the measured values into the system. To carry out corrective measures, the optimal values of the cutting fluid and its total amount must be defined in the system. Based on the defined optimal and measured values, the device automatically determines and doses the required amount of cutting fluid or additives into the cutting fluid reservoir of machine tools. If the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools is operated together with the measuring/monitoring device, it is necessary to define the optimal values of the monitored properties of the cutting fluid and other parameters such as the volume of the cutting fluid reservoir and the like during the initial commissioning. Subsequently, the system records and evaluates the monitored parameters at regular intervals using a measuring/monitoring device, and if necessary, cutting fluid or additives are topped up using a device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives. The system in combination with the measuring/monitoring device minimizes possible errors caused by the human factor in the process of caring for the cutting fluid, thereby significantly contributing to the increase in the service life of the cutting fluid.

The advantages of the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools according to the technical solution are obvious from its effects, which are manifested externally. The effects are that one dosing unit can ensure the adjustment of cutting fluid parameters for up to twelve machines at the same time. This applies if the machines use the same type of cutting fluid. If there are machines in operation with different types of used cutting fluids, the dosing unit can be supplemented with three additional dosing units, which will create a dosing nest capable of ensuring the adjustment of cutting fluid parameters for up to forty-eight machines using four different types of cutting fluid. The number of dosing nests within the system is not limited. The advantage of the proposed solution compared to conventional solutions is that, with a conventional system, it would be necessary to provide its own unit for each machine, which would make the entire system several times more expensive. The proposed system represents a hybrid solution between complex systems of central distribution of cutting fluid and decentralized systems consisting of reservoirs of cutting fluid of individual machines.

Overview of images on drawings

The device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools according to the technical solution will be further explained in the drawings. In fig. 1 is a diagram of a device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools. In fig. 2 shows an illustrative application for one machine tool.

Implementation examples

Individual embodiments of the technical solution are presented for illustration and not as limitations of the solutions. Those skilled in the art will find or be able to find, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to specific embodiments of the technical solution. Even such equivalents will fall within the scope of protection claims.

Example 1

In this example of a specific embodiment, a device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools is described according to the technical solution, as illustrated in fig. 1. For proper function, it is necessary to ensure the water supply through the inlet element 10 of the water supply, the supply of compressed air through the inlet element 27 of the compressed air supply and the supply of cutting concentrate in the form of a 200-liter barrel. If necessary, but not necessarily, it is possible to add one or two types of additives to the first additive reservoir 13 and the second additive reservoir 14. It is also necessary to connect to the unit at least one transport pipe 4 with an output nozzle 5 opening into the reservoir 6 of the cutting fluid 7 and to connect the entire device to the electrical network. The preparation and dosing of the cutting fluid is as follows. Water suitable for the preparation of the cutting fluid is fed through the filter 15, the first control valve 16 and the first 17 pressure sensor to the first electronically controlled inlet valve 18 using the input element 10 of the water supply. After opening the valve 18, the water passes through the first one-way valve 19 into the electronically controlled mixing concentrate unit 20, where it is mixed with the basic concentrate from the reservoir 12. The prepared cutting fluid passes through the control flow refractometer 21 into the electronically controlled additive mixing unit 22. If necessary, the additive/additives from the first additive reservoir 13 and the second additive reservoir 14 are added to the cutting fluid using the electronically controlled additive mixing unit 22. The type of additive added is electronically controlled by the combining member 23. The prepared cutting fluid with or without added additives further passes through the fourth one-way valve 24 to a series of twelve output electronically controlled output valves 25. Depending on the number of connected transport pipes 4 with output nozzles 5 and as needed, cutting fluid is prepared and dosed into the individual reservoirs 6 of the cutting fluid 7 of the machine tools 8. After filling the missing amount of cutting fluid into the reservoir 6 of the cutting fluid 7 of the selected machine tool 8, the components of the dosing/mixing unit 1 and the used transport pipe 4 are automatically cleaned and calibrated. The cleaning process consists in opening the first electronically controlled inlet valve 18, in closing the inlets of the basic concentrate and additives of the electronically controlled mixing unit 20 of the concentrate and the electronically controlled mixing unit 22 of the additives and flushing these units with a small amount of water, which also cleans the flow refractometer 21, output electronically controlled output valves 25 and associated transport pipes 4 with output nozzles 5. After the cleaning is finished, the first electronically controlled inlet valve 18 is closed. Subsequently, the components are cleaned with compressed air, which ensures the removal of residual water from the device and the used transport pipe 4. Cleaning with compressed air it goes like this. Compressed air is fed through the second control valve 28 and the second pressure sensor 29 to the second and third inlet electronically controlled valves 30 and 31 using the input element 27 of the compressed air supply. After opening the second input electronically controlled valve 30, the compressed air flows through the second one-way valve 32, through the electronically controlled mixing unit 20 of the concentrate, the flow refractometer 21, the electronically controlled mixing unit 22 additive, the fourth one-way valve 24 to the open output electronically controlled valve 25. Further, the air flows through the associated output element 26, the associated transport pipe 4 and the output nozzle 5. Cleaning the cycle is completed after closing the third inlet electronically controlled valve 30 and the corresponding outlet electronically controlled valve 25.

If the transport pipe 4 ends with a special nozzle designed for mixing and uniform dosing of the cutting fluid in the reservoir 6 of the machine 8, it is possible to ensure mixing of the cutting fluid 7 in the reservoir 6 at regular intervals using the dosing/mixing unit 1. The mixing of the cutting fluid 7 is realized by supplying compressed air to a special nozzle.

In the case of mixing, the compressed air is supplied by the input element 27 of the compressed air supply through the second control valve 28 and the second pressure sensor 29 to the second and third inlet electronically controlled valves 30 and 31. After opening the second inlet electronically controlled valve 31, the compressed air flows through the third one-way valve 11 to the corresponding output electronically controlled valve 25. Further, the air flows through the associated output terminal 26 and the associated transport pipe 4 to a special nozzle, which ensures mixing of the cutting fluid in the reservoir 6 of the cutting fluid 7 of the machine 8.

The mixing of the cutting fluid cannot be carried out at the same time as the cutting fluid is added.

Example 2

In this example of a specific embodiment, the application of a device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives to the cutting fluid reservoir of one machine tool is described according to the technical solution, as shown in fig. 2. The device consists of a dosing/mixing unit 1, a control panel 2 and a reservoir 3 of cutting concentrate and additives. From the dosing/mixing unit 1, a transport pipe 4 ends with an outlet nozzle 5 immersed in the reservoir 6 of the cutting fluid 7. A monitoring device 9 is placed in the reservoir 6 of the cutting fluid 7. Then the dosing of the cutting fluid 7 into the machine tool 8 is carried out by the dosing/mixing unit 1 automatically without operator intervention at regular intervals.

Example 3

In this example of a specific embodiment, another application of the device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoir of one machine tool is described, according to the technical solution, which is basically described in the previous example. The difference is that the monitoring device 9 is not applied. Dosing of the cutting fluid is performed by the dosing/mixing unit 1 manually, based on the measured values of concentration [%], acidity [ph] and the amount of cutting fluid 7 in the cutting fluid reservoir 6.

Industrial applicability

The device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools according to the technical solution can be used in engineering operations in which cutting fluids are used as a cooling or lubricating medium entering the material processing process. The dosing device can be applied for water-based cutting fluids - emulsions. The dosing device together with the device for automatic data collection for automatic evaluation of selected properties of cutting fluids forms part of the system for automatic measurement, evaluation and adjustment of selected parameters of cutting fluid.

Claims (2)

1. Device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into the cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools, characterized by the fact that it consists of a dosing/mixing unit (1), a control panel (2) and a reservoir (3) of cutting concentrate and additives, where from the dosing /mixing unit (1) exits an n-member system of transport pipes terminated by outlet nozzles (5) immersed in reservoirs (6) of cutting fluid (7) of machine tools (8), while the dosing/mixing unit (1) is formed by a supply branch at the entrance of water with the inlet element (10) of the water supply and the branch of the compressed air supply with the inlet element (27) of the compressed air supply, where the filter (15), the first control valve (16), the first pressure sensor is located behind the inlet element (10) of the water supply (17), the first inlet electronically controlled valve (18), the first one-way valve (19), which is connected to the inlet of the electronically controlled mixing unit (20) of the concentrate; behind the inlet element (27) of the compressed air supply is a second regulating valve (28), a second pressure sensor (29), a second electronically controlled inlet valve (30), a second one-way valve (32), which is connected to the inlet of the electronically controlled mixing unit (20) concentrate; the second pressure sensor (29) is followed by a third inlet electronically controlled valve (31) and a third one-way valve (11); the electronically controlled mixing unit (20) of the concentrate is connected to the reservoir (12) of the basic concentrate; behind the output of the electronically controlled mixing unit (20) of the concentrate is a control flow refractometer (21), followed by the electronically controlled mixing unit (22) of the additive, to which the first reservoir (13) of the additive is connected through the electronically controlled combining member (23) and second reservoir (14) additive; the output of the electronically controlled additive mixing unit (22) is connected to the fourth one-way valve (24); the outputs of the third one-way valve (11) and the fourth one-way valve (24) are connected to the input system of the output electronically controlled valves (25) by output terminals (26) for the system of transport pipes (4). 2. Device for automatic dosing of cutting fluid and additives into cutting fluid reservoirs of machine tools according to claim 1, characterized in that monitoring devices (9) are placed in the cutting fluid reservoirs (6) (7).