Skimmers

An oil skimmer, or oil separator, is an essential tool in many industrial environments, especially in the machining industry. Its main task is to separate leaked oil from cutting fluids, which not only improves the cleanliness and safety of the work environment but also extends the lifespan of the cutting fluids and reduces the need for their replacement. This, in turn, leads to lower costs and minimal environmental emissions as the fluid needs to be disposed of or recycled less frequently.

The operating principle of oil skimmers is based on physical properties, such as the lighter weight of oil compared to water. Typically, oil floats on the surface of the liquid, allowing efficient collection using skimmers based on various mechanisms. Generally, oil skimmers are designed to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for removing leaked oil from liquids without complex or expensive processes.

Oil skimmers are categorized into different types based on their operating principles and applications. Belt skimmers are traditional models where a moving belt travels through the liquid, collecting floating oil on the surface. This type is especially effective in situations where oil is easily accessible. On the other hand, tube skimmers are better suited for situations where oil is in hard-to-reach places, such as on the interior walls of equipment or in convoluted tanks. They utilize a flexible tube that can vacuum oil even from more challenging spots. Disc skimmers, in turn, are excellent for collecting oil in shallow tanks, utilizing a rotating disc that prevents the oil from mixing back into the liquid.

In particular, machining centers such as CNC lathes and milling machines can experience challenges with cooling fluid tanks where oil, lubricants, and industrial grime can easily mix, affecting machining accuracy and work environment comfort. Skimmers like the FEOL and MAXI FEOL belt skimmers are designed to solve these problems. For example, the FEOL model is compact and durable, made of stainless steel and suitable for individual machines with a cooling fluid tank capacity of up to 2000 liters. Its technical features, such as separation capacity and temperature resistance, make it a versatile option for various process conditions. The MAXI FEOL, on the other hand, is designed for larger centralized cooling systems, with a high capacity allowing up to 15 liters of oil separation per hour, providing an efficient and long-lasting solution with its broader applicability.

The benefits of using an oil skimmer are numerous: they reduce the maintenance needs of machines, improve the cleanliness of the work environment, prevent bacterial growth and thus the formation of unpleasant odors. Their simplicity of operation, affordability, and low maintenance requirements make oil skimmers an easily justifiable investment that quickly pays for itself through reduced maintenance costs and interruptions in production processes. Overall, oil skimmers are an integral part of modern industrial production, promoting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly operations.

The use of these skimmers not only streamlines daily operations but also helps extend the performance and lifespan of machining tools. When cutting fluids remain clean and free from excess oil, tool wear is minimized, and the work environment is more pleasant and significantly safer. Based on these benefits, the role of oil skimmers in optimizing industrial production processes is undeniably significant.