Intelligent pump control

High pressure coolant pumps are traditionally set to accommodate the tool in the carousel with the largest coolant flow requirement. When tools with smaller orifices are employed, the unneeded coolant is returned to the supply tank through a bypass valve. Wanner says this system is wasteful of power, heats up the coolant unnecessarily and reduces the life of the pump itself. 

Hydra-Cell Intelligent Pump control is an open loop system without pressure gauges and complex electrical feedback loops. It is said to deliver just the right flow of coolant to maintain the required system pressure, regardless of tool size. 

As well as reducing the power requirement, Wanner says coolant chillers can be smaller and consume less energy. Pump stress is reduced, extending the life of the pump and the entire operation is quieter as the pump speed is reduced. 

Although it is generally considered adequate to keep the pressure constant and vary the flow according to the tool orifice size, on some occasions (tools with smaller coolant orifices) it is necessary to increase the pressure in order to optimise the cooling capacity.

The Hydra-Cell Intelligent Pump offers a high degree of controllability and can be programmed to produce individual pressures for each tool in the carousel if required, delivering coolant exactly when it’s needed in the exact quantity, at the exact pressure while eliminating the need for coolant bypass.

Wanner says high pressure coolant is proven to reduce costs and increase machining productivity and that Hydra-Cell Intelligent Pumps can help achieve and enhance these savings.