b'Productive TimesA LIQUID TOOL CHANGEA lthough a tool may perform ef-fectively when machining parts, sometimes a newer one is available that does an even better job. Back-erworks Manufacturing LLC realized that the same holds true for coolant after changing the liquid tool in four of its machine tools.The Albuquerque, N.M., job shop was running HOCUT 795 B cool-ant from Houghton International Inc., Valley Forge, Pa., in all of its 32 machine tools. Houghton initially developed the Boeing-approved coolant 20 years ago. It is one of the companys best-selling coolants, ac-cording to Chris Drozdowski, man-ager of Houghtons key account team and channel partners.Pete Shufelt, owner of Backer-works, said his shop was happy Backerworkswith the coolant. However, TomBackerworks initially tried HOCUT 8640 in its Mitsubishi MVR 30 bridge mill.Vescuso, owner of Axis Machine Services LLC, Albuquerque, theremoval, minimizing machine down-local Houghton distributor, askedtime, according to Houghton.if Backerworks would like to testThe shop then switched the cool-a new metalworking fluid calledant in three other machines. These HOCUT 8640. He told me thereinclude a Haas VF 9 vertical machin-was a new coolant out that Hough- ing center, which has a 95-gal. (360L) ton was pretty high on, pretty posi- sump and primarily cuts 4340 steel tive about, Shufelt said. and 400-series stainless, and a DMG Shufelt, who was an NFL line- Mori eVo 80 5-axis mill/turn machine, backer, formed Backerworks in awhich has a 500-gal. (1,893L) sump.backyard garage in 1998. The shopSinceswitchingtothenew now occupies a 24,000-sq.-ft. facilityHoughton International Houghton coolant, our shop has and employs more than 30 people. Houghton installed a Greenlight Andonrealized many benefits, including Backerworks initially tried HOCUTfluid monitor on the Mitsubishi MVR 30less product usage, as operators bridge mills 300-gal. sump.8640 in its Mitsubishi MVR 30 bridgereport having less weekly makeup, mill. The machine has a 300-gal.feelings changed when he receivedShufelt said. The product runs very (1,136L) sump and primarily cutspositive feedback from his machin- clean, so windows and other ma-1018 steel and 304 stainless steel.ist. The new coolant provides en- chine surfaces are not left with the Shufeltsaidhewashesitanttohanced wetting properties, reduc- sticky film we have seen with other change from an effective coolant toing consumption (because of drag- brands. Tool life is also great across one that might work better. out on parts and less evaporation),all the alloys we machine.After the switch, however, hisand its dispensability improves chipBecause the shop is located in a 68MARCH 2018 ProTimes.indd 68 2/14/18 10:15 AM'