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SMARTMIX VCN

Automatic Coolant Mixing and Top-Up

The SmartMix VCN System

SmartMix VCN

Automatic coolant mixing and top-up for the entire workshop
Automated concentration corrections when used with e-FM
Distribution pipework is inexpensive, easy to install, easy to reconfigure
Reduces coolant consumption
Reduces labour costs

Sump Kit

Level sensor and coolant supply point
Simple installation; requires no power or air at the machine
One sump kit is required per machine tool

Why SmartMix VCN?

SMARTMIX VCN offers Never-Before-Seen levels of control over your coolant. Accurately mixed coolant is automatically dispensed at precisely the right concentration for each machine.

Topping up little and often minimises consumption whilst maximising fluid performance.

An efficient mixing process creates a tight emulsion with a small oil droplet size.

Lights-out production runs can go all night – even all weekend – with no risk of low coolant ruining your plans.

Operators won’t have to top their machines up ever again! That means no more floods, no more manual handling, and no more complaining!

SmartMix VCN Connects to Our e-FM Fluid Management Portal

This allows for top-up concentrations to be automatically adjusted in response to measured concentration in each sump (e-FM accepts manual concentration readings submitted via our app, or via automated concentration sensors where available).

SmartMix VCN logs coolant consumption per machine tool, and this data is stored alongside other useful current and historical data (Coolant pH, concentration, temperature, tramp oil, and level). This creates a powerful suite of information, showing trends and highlighting areas for improvement.

e-FM Portal

What About The Pipework?

In the past, installing a distribution pipework has been expensive, time-consuming, and not at all flexible when changes are needed.

SmartMix VCN uses small diameter flexible pipework that is simple, easy, and inexpensive to install. Workshop reorganisations and adding new machines is quick and easy, without reliance on outside contractors.

For peace of mind, the pipework is not under any pressure when not in use.

How SmartMix VCN Works

1. Pipework System

SmartMix VCN delivers coolant through inexpensive, easy-to-install pipework. No pipework is held at pressure.

2. Request For Coolant Made From Machine 1

Demand for coolant top-up is sensed in machine 1. A bespoke mix is prepared and delivered via that machine’s dedicated delivery line.

3. Request For Coolant Made From Machine 2

Top-up for each machine is quick as SmartMix VCN tops up little and often. Any overlapping coolant demands are queued and processed in turn, with the ability to prioritise key machines.

4. Added Functionality With Our e-FM Portal

SmartMix VCN uses target concentration, measured concentration, and tank volume to adjust top-ups; correcting and maintaining coolant strength in each sump.

Coolant data from the workshop is sent to e-FM Cloud.

E-FM uses target concentration and measured concentration to automatically vary top-up strength on SmartMix VCN; automatically maintaining / correcting concentration in each machine tool.

Cloud Connectivity

With cloud connectivity and our fluid management portal (e-FM), you have access to useful management information:

Total Coolant consumption per machine / per shift
Concentrate used per machine
Historic trend analysis – easily auditable HSE record keeping
Concentration
pH
Tank level
Coolant temperature
Tramp Oil observations

Frequently Asked Metalworking Fluid Questions

How does SmartMix VCN reduce coolant usage?

The fluid level drops in a machine tool for 2 main reasons; evaporation and drag out with swarf.

Between manual top-ups, as the level drops, the concentration increases due to evaporation. This means more product is lost to drag out with swarf, and a stronger top-up mix is needed to maintain working concentration. SmartMix VCN tops up little and often – automatically maintaining fluid level and concentration whilst consuming less concentrate. Operators can focus on production, knowing coolant will always be in an optimal state – improving tool life, coolant life, and reducing costs.

Why is it so important to control coolant concentration accurately?

Running too strong can cause foaming, product staining, and operator skin irritation, not to mention excessive consumption and cost. High concentrations compromise the cooling effect, so surprisingly you may see no benefit or even achieve less coolant performance when running a very strong mix.

Running too weak is a much greater risk. For example, when running at 5% instead of 8%, the difference is not “just 3%”. The weaker mix has almost 40% less concentrate, meaning all of the carefully selected ingredients are unable to perform their various roles effectively (biological stability. anti-corrosion, pH buffering, EP etc).

Why are my machine tools at wildly differing concentrations?

This is a very common situation. Different operators tend to have different top-up regimes, ranging from the diligent (needing a regular low concentration top-up) to the negligent (needing a strong top-up, only they absolutely have to). If there is only 1 concentration available for top-up it can’t possibly suit both operators, and things will drift over time. Eventually, some machines will become dangerously low in concentration whilst others are off the charts in strength!

Likewise, different machine tools and / or different jobs create different amounts and types of swarf. In turn this affects drag-out which will determine required top-up strengths.

SmartMix VCN fixes this by providing different top-up concentrations for each machine tool, and allowing for individual corrections when needed.

How do I measure coolant concentration?

Most commonly a refractometer is used to measure the concentration of an emulsion (water-based coolant). A small amount of coolant is placed into the refractometer, and light refracts through the fluid producing a % reading. Always remember to “zero” the instrument using water first, and apply the correct refractometer correction factor (found on the product datasheet) to ensure accurate readings.

What is tramp oil?

Tramp oil is free oil that has entered the coolant tank of a machine tool, usually from hydraulic leaks or from slideway lubrication. Tramp oil forms an air-tight layer on top of coolant, and the resultant lack of coolant oxygenation promotes bacterial growth that is detrimental to the health of both the coolant and your operators.

Can I trial MOTOREX coolant or ETL Fluid Expert's equipment?

Of course! There is no substitute for seeing the benefits of our solutions in your own workshop – we love a trial! We will work with you to determine the results you should expect, and what constitutes a successful trial for you and your business.

Other Products Similar To The VCN

Looking after coolant can be easy

SmartMix PLUS

Advanced coolant mixing station offering the same performance as SmartMix, with the addition of dual inverter technology to cope with restrictive distribution pipework systems.

View SmartMix

ATU – Auto Top Up Unit

Intelligent, level-sensing top up unit which, when combined with a SmartMix and distribution pipework, automatically controls the correct coolant level in a machine sump.

View ATU

T700 – Tramp Oil Skimmer

The T700 effectively removes tramp oil and floating swarf – even on turbulent sumps – without stopping your machines. One T700 can serve an entire workshop.

View Tramp Oil Skimmer

A new way of managing coolant in your workshop

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