Evaluation of Machinability with MQL System and Effectiveness in Production Lines

Abstract

To prevent environmental pollution, it is necessary to reduce the amount of cutting fluids used on production lines. One logical step to avoid such environmental problems is a minimal quantity lubricant (MQL) system which can provide cooling and lubrication with an extremely low quantity of lubricants and a large volume of blown air. In this study, actual machining tests such as milling and tapping tests were conducted using a biodegradable ester oil as a lubricant in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the MQL system. The summary of the results is that the MQL system demonstrates good lubricity, preferable expulsion of chips and elongated tool life compared with ordinary cutting fluids supply methods.