Less mess manufacturing
September 1st 2008 Upgrading to the Bielomatik MQL
(Minimal Quantity Lubrication) twochannel
system has paved the way
for more efficient
automated
manufacture of
wing panels for
the A380 Airbus
at Broughton,
enabling
components to
pass through
drilling, counter sinking and riveting
operations without any residue tool
cutting lubricant remaining.
It is said to be a major advance
over the previous lubrication
operation that was messy, requiring
the wings to be cleaned down after
drilling and countersinking.
Bielomatik's MQL system enables
oil deliveries as low as 3-5mL/hour
to be achieved. This means that
while drilling, countersinking and
spot facing operations are
lubricated, the lubricant used is
totally lost and metal chips are dry,
falling away from the component
surface more readily, precisely the
type of delivery required on the
Airbus wing assembly line where no
oil can be allowed to remain in a
drilled hole prior to riveting. More articles from Leuze Bielomatik: | 
