WATCH, ALSO WHEN GRINDING? Grinding with minimal quantity lubrication (MQL) In mechanical engineering, maximum precision is required for the final machining. Therefore in order to ensure the quality of the workpieces, it is important that as little frictional heat as possible is created and the unavoidable rash is removed. bielomatik presents a grinding process for the automotive industry that requires minimum amounts of lubricants and coolants. In comparison with the previously standard flood cooling, the new process halves the energy consumption. The process, called minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), has been tested for the first time on an industrial scale on the camshaft production line at Volkswagen AG’s factory in Salzgitter. The developers optimized the grinding machine, abrasive body and the lubricant feed. The aim was to create no more frictional heat than can be removed via the tool and chips without damage. For this purpose the manufacturing process for the grinding media was changed, whereby it was furnished with a lasered, microstructured surface. The lubricant is sprayed on via a 2channel minimal quantity lubrication system by bielomatik. This enables the compressed air and lubricant to be optimally mixed. The manufacture of camshafts provided a natural choice as a pilot application because the induction-hardened chromium steels, workpiece geometry and the required precision are very demanding. The new process can also be transferred to other production processes. ProActive Service Your bielomatik Lubrication Service – well known in the market for speed, flexibility and reliability. Your professional contact for all service activities High quality, regardless of location Reliable presence and performance Fast response times bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG / Daimlerstr. 6-8 / 72639 Neuffen / Germany Phone +49(0) 7025/12-0 / Fax +49(0) 7025/12-556 [email protected] / bielomatik.co