Chip Processing
To most, chip-processing equipment is a necessary option; to others, they are a luxury. However, as continuous improvement programs go enterprise-wide, and global competition makes even fractional cost savings critical, efficient chip processing and coolant conservation will become more important. Add to this the implementation of far-reaching environmental initiatives, and the processing equipment becomes necessary. That is why devices that can dry chips with 98–99 percent (by weight) of the residual coolant removed, and can increase density and decrease volume, and automatically handle and remove chips from the factory floor to staging areas for transport to scrap dealers, smelters, and recycling centers are becoming more critical to plant operations. Configurations include continuous feed units for use after discharge from central filters or batch loaded processing machines for applications with at-the-machine coolant and chip separation. Various processing equipment are available and include gravity draining of fluids, drying by spinning or wringing, and making chip volumes denser through compression and compacting. With these auxiliary machines, it may sometimes be difficult to justify the financial investment in such equipment because the goal may be long term. Organizations should, however, expect more efficient chip handling and transport, reduced storage and labor needs, and also safer operations and lower environmental concerns when chip processing equipment is employed. (Geng H., Manufacturing Engineering Handbook, p. 43.8)
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