Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
(OP)
hi I'm curious of what other metal processing companies are currently using during removing of scrap from finished item and jigs after machining / lathe process.. our company is currently using a concentrated nozzled airgun...and we are figuring out if this is still the best airgun there is to use for the cleaning process.. we are considering to use a wide nozzled airgun or a flat one.. what do you guys think?
good inputs are welcome. thanks!
good inputs are welcome. thanks!





RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Hand-cleaning or automaic cleaning? Open or protected jigs? Automated machine with necessary cleaning between processed pieces?
I believe the answer in the firs posting covers all to be said if it is a simple, straightforward use in a manual open way. Nothing to be added if the total cleaning process is not very time- or resource demanding.
For automated processes or complicated cleaning, specially formed mouthpieces or fastened (jigged) mouthpieces might contribute to better or faster cleaning.
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Our machines are mostly CNC. after process of item, operator takes a longer time to clean scrap from item and the fastened jig.. also, oil in item takes time to clean too. (cutting tool coolant used is oil).
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
I see your problem! Suggestions:
1. Coolant is usually not pure oil, but often an emulsion, mix of water and oil. Is it possible to find a less sticky coolant?
2. You have three possible ways of cleaning: mechanically with brush, air and coolant. Coolant is usually recovered. Is it possible/economical to flush with coolant? And/or using air from device/mouthpiece similar to 'airblade' of newer hand-driers? Buying parts from producer of airblades?
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Probably not real applicable to CNC and flooded coolant applications.
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Thanks for the insights and suggestions, I really appreciated it, I asked the area's engineers about the reason of why that kind of coolant..
Currently company is using a much thicker viscosity because water-based oil (looks like milk) overtime damages (rust) the machine's parts..
Machine is already equipped with coolant nozzles directly to tool and jig during process.. however, company is still looking for another upgrade to lessen the time for cleaning after process of each item.. (buying another machine is the least priority so methods should be improved instead)
And as a temporary and I hope not the permanent, spraybooth is provided so that after every process,instead of spraying the item inside of machine to avoid oil dripping on the floor, operator will just spray the finished item at the booth until all oil substance will at least lessen and we can also save a little oil that is accumulated in the spray booth.. however.. I think there is always a better method for this..
Also, operators took longer time in spraying compressed air on the jigs because of scraps.. cause if not properly cleaned it will cause deform in our products.. (it is one of our usual defects here in the production...
A new concept will be a help :)
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Appreciate your report!
Both Tmooses' and 3DDaves' suggestions should help you trying other solutions. I did like the concept of vacuum sucking. Perhaps together with oil-solving washing afterwards?
If rusting (parts or machine??): particles if magnetic to be removed by strong on/off solenoid?
RE: Best air blower / air gun for removing metal scrap chips in jigs/ product
Look at he amount of energy necessary to move the chips swarf to the place it is collected or disposal. Look at the cost of making the compressed air versus the cost of using flood fluid.
A.R. "Andy" Nelson
Engineering Consultant
www.arnengineering.com