Replace Soluble Oil Metalworking Fluid with a Semi-synthetic One
Tramp oils, generated during metalworking operations such as machining parts or hydraulic leakages, accumulate in metalworking fluid (MWF) in the machine's sumps. These accumulated tramp oils lead to bacterial growth, resulting in a highly offensive smell. Switching from soluble oil MWF to semi-synthetic MWF can drastically reduce bacterial growth. A case study demonstrated that switching from oil-soluble MWF to semi-synthetic MWF reduced bacterial count from 10,000,000 per ml to 10,000 per ml. This switch eliminated the previously detected rancid smell.
Although the initial cost of switching may be higher, the long-term benefits outweigh it. The reduced working hours lost due to machine shutdowns for MWF cleaning completely offset the cost. Additionally, the longer lifespan of semi-synthetic MWF compared to soluble oil MWF further contributes to the long-term savings.