bielomatik: Minimal Quantity Lubrication (MQL) for advanced drilling units

Photo by bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG

Together with an aircraft manufacturer, bielomatik Leuze has solved drilling problems: A portable device for environmentally compatible minimal quantity lubrication was created particularly for the direct use with automatically advanced drilling units.

It is only three letters but they tell experts: Someone has considered the environment and the costs for machining. I am pointing out to MQL (minimal quantity lubrication), a specialty of bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG from Neuffen, Germany: MQL protects the environment during drilling, thread cutting, reaming and grinding, saves money and produces dry, easily recyclable waste chips. Many machine tool spindles have already been equipped with MQL from Neuffen: The systems are utilized in the automotive industry, by its suppliers, in machinery construction and other industries. To be precise, bielomatik Leuze offers one- and two-channel systems and the “MQL 2 plus” with additional water supply for cooling via a special fluid unit, which has already been introduced in 2014.

Based on this success, the “Mobile Lubrication Unit (MLU)” was developed especially for use in the aerospace industry. It was suggested by an aircraft manufacturer who also supported the Swabian company during development. The mobile device can be directly connected to all commercially “Advanced Drilling Units” (ADU). A specific challenge is presented by the typical sandwich materials titanium, CFRP and aluminum which are currently used in aircraft construction. “If the device is adapted to the relevant ADU and the process is perfectly set and tested, the CFRP should remain dry,” explains Marcel Schlierer, designer at bielomatik. In addition, the aircraft manufacturer accentuated that this unit should be easy to handle. It was supposed to make the life of the workers easier and immediately alert them to any occurring errors.

Schlierer: “If for example, fluid supply or battery capacity decreases to 20%, the LED will start flashing. Starting from 15%, the worker is warned by a continuous LED signal.”

The unique selling point is the special control system using which the MLU automatically switches the MQL process on and off and in this way individually adapts to the relevant material requirements. “Via a time control, the oil flow is shut off when passing through the CFRP layer and with a perfect process setting the drilling site remains dry,” explains the designer. “In a shift operation, the foreman, for example, programs the MLU by imaging the process on the computer using a table. The material and its thickness are entered, for example.” Then the required processing time is calculated automatically. Subsequently, the program is uploaded to the device which is protected against manipulation by unauthorized persons by a security code. Instructions regarding programming and handling will be provided by bielomatik employees.

For more information visit: www.bielomatik.com