Machinibility performance of CNC turning based on automated coolant supply system

Abstract

CNC machine is an industrial manufacturing machine that is used to improve quality and productivity of a product. Good tool life and surface finish of this CNC machining product are produced by applying wet cooling technique. However, this technique had affected the workpiece, tooling, health and environment. Also, there is only 10% to 15% of coolants used from the total amount of supply in the system and this lead to waste and increase productivity cost. Hence, the idea of using Programmable Logic Control (PLC) that inspired the control system of coolant supply plays an important role in developing the modern technology and industry for machining. The purpose is to develop a time-based automated coolant supply system and to test the system performance through evaluation of the roughness of the workpiece surface. The adjusted device to control the coolant supply employed a washing machine inlet control valve. Basically, the used of PLC is able to fulfil the function of the valve operation to control the flow of the coolant through the ON-OFF sequence based on time. Results from the experiment prove that better surface roughness is achieved through the application of automated coolant supply system. Hence, relationship between surface roughness and reduction in consumption of coolant in this system is also obtainable.