Question for machine shop employees...

[V8MoneyPit]

We now have our Haas CNC mill installed. The temporary compressor we have is way too small and is running almost constantly. As a result it is generating a lot of moisture. Not good for the mills spindle bearings! We have a much larger silenced compressor due in the next couple of days.

The question is about dryers and moisture traps. Most people seem to think a refrigeration type drier is essential. Any views, anyone?

[Eeyore]

We use a heated/condensor type dryer on our new system and we've had no probs with it so far. Its an Atlas Copco job. We need the air to dry to a very high level as it's the only thing cooling the lens packs on our new toy. I assume your running high-speed spindles in there that worried about air. Our DMGs use ordinary comp air and water trap/ oiler.

[V8MoneyPit]

It's only a 6000rpm spindle, but the installation engineer suggested a dry air source. We have a couple of regulator type filters/traps which we will fit anyway. But we might consider a proper drier too. We are only needing a low cfm unit so only around £600..... but £600 is £600!

[graham]

 The CNC will have set you back a bit and would be worth spending another £600 last thing you want is moisture in the pneumatics, if you have any problems with the new machine the supplier will point to non filtered wet air.

[V8MoneyPit]

The CNC will have set you back a bit and would be worth spending another £600 last thing you want is moisture in the pneumatics, if you have any problems with the new machine the supplier will point to non filtered wet air.

My thoughts exactly. I think my colleague is now convinced! As it happens, another company on site has a drier that they may not need. We'll find out Monday if they are willing to part with it. Otherwise we'll be buying the new one.

[Tommo]

one problem we have with the haas's is that every now and again they alarm out with the message 'low air pressure' but there appears to be plenty. not sure what it is but a few of them do it all at the same time ish. can be a right ball ache. but they a year or two old and run 24hrs a day, 7 days a week quite often as well.

[graham]

If they all do it around the same time sounds like you have a drop in pressure, if you get a few operators blowing off with air guns at the same time and all machines are running. When the machine alarms out check the pressure at the machine.

[lee celtic]

we have a biggg hydrovain compressor running the machine air 24/7 and a smaller piston machine (v4 500ltr) supplying the blowdown air to stop blowdowns affecting the expensive stuff :D

we also have tanks set along the air feeds to stop air drop on the flexible lines .

as for the driers all I can tell you now is that it's a blue box and the maintenance men empty it  :D

However I can find out on monday from ben the machine guy at work .

we run 4 haas machines along with 20 or so others the newest being a tongtai thing the size of a double garage to make somthing the size of a fag packet :roll:

ps anybody want to buy a hitachi 3 axis machine :lol:
or an automatic virtical saw
or or or or or (were having a clearout :lol: :lol:)

[graham]

we have a biggg hydrovain compressor running the machine air 24/7 and a smaller piston machine (v4 500ltr) supplying the blowdown air to stop blowdowns affecting the expensive stuff :D

we also have tanks set along the air feeds to stop air drop on the flexible lines .

as for the driers all I can tell you now is that it's a blue box and the maintenance men empty it  :D

However I can find out on monday from ben the machine guy at work .

we run 4 haas machines along with 20 or so others the newest being a tongtai thing the size of a double garage to make somthing the size of a fag packet :roll:

ps anybody want to buy a hitachi 3 axis machine :lol:
or an automatic virtical saw
or or or or or (were having a clearout :lol: :lol:)

Let me know what they are clearing out I know a guy who might be interested.

[Dr Evil]

I'm very interested in the Hitachi machine. Is it a Hicell or a machining centre ?