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Figure 1: Shows the ESI team engaged in a learning activity The team was assigned two CNC machines to test and
during a company visit, emphasising the educational aspect gather data on the coolant. Figure 2 shows the two CNC
of observing and understanding these environmental machines that were used for this purpose. The team selected
practices. two machines with similar specifications to ensure a fair
comparison. The ESI team can be seen in Figure 3 during one
of the data collection sessions.
Figure 2: CNC Machines Used for Data Collection.
Figure 1: ESI team Studying a Machine
Presentation of Data
From the environmental review, the ESI team decided to
focus on coolant usage efficiency. SPEQS operates multiple
CNC machines and is particularly concerned about the
usage of machine coolant. Besides the environmental
impact associated with coolant usage, they also find the cost
of coolant to be a significant concern.
Coolant quality in CNC machines diminishes over time Figure 3: ESI team
due to evaporation, splashing, mist formation within the
machines, and drag out via chips and workpieces. Therefore,
it is necessary to replenish the coolant in CNC machines
daily. Typically, the top-up mixture comprises 40 litres of
water and 1 litre of coolant.
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