Improving Air Quality in Precision Grinding

Centerless grinding is a common process in precision machining, but it produces significant amounts of coolant mist. This mist can spread through the shop floor, affecting worker health, lowering visibility, and settling on nearby machines. To address these challenges, Powertech Pollution Controls provided a FumeKiller® unit, which is typically used as welding fume extractor or soldering fume extractor, to capture and control the mist generated during the grinding process.

The Challenge: Mist from Grinding Operations

During centerless grinding, high-speed wheels and coolant sprays create a fine mist that is difficult to control with general ventilation alone. Without proper capture, this mist spreads across the work area, creating slippery surfaces and increasing maintenance needs. The client required a solution that could directly control mist at the source without disrupting production.

The Solution: FumeKiller® with Partial Enclosure

Powertech installed a FumeKiller® to be used as a mist collector for this application. To improve efficiency, the mist generation source was partially enclosed using plastic curtains, which helped contain the mist in a smaller area. The extractor was then connected to this enclosure, ensuring that most of the mist was captured before it could escape into the shop floor.

Key Features of the Setup

• FumeKiller® Electrostatic Mist Collector: Designed to capture fine coolant mist particles.
• Partial Enclosure: Plastic curtains prevented mist from spreading and improved collection efficiency.
• Direct Source Capture: The suction point was placed close to the grinding zone for maximum performance.
• Cleaner Work Area: Reduced surface contamination and improved overall air quality.
  

The Outcome: Cleaner and Safer Operations

The combination of the FumeKiller® and partial enclosure significantly reduced mist levels around the grinding station. Workers experienced cleaner air, safer floors, and better visibility. Machines near the grinding area also remained cleaner, lowering downtime and improving reliability.

Conclusion

Mist control is a critical need in centerless grinding applications. By using a FumeKiller® with a partial enclosure, Powertech delivered an effective solution that improved workplace safety and productivity. This project shows how tailored solutions can address the unique challenges of different machining processes.