Castrol is first choice for Cutting Edge Components

Citation

(2004), "Castrol is first choice for Cutting Edge Components", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 56 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2004.01856bab.002

Castrol is first choice for Cutting Edge Components

Castrol is first choice for Cutting Edge Components

Keywords: Components, Machining, Fluids

When Noel Harvey and Dr Simon Leonard decided to start a sub-contract machining business, producing precision turned parts for OEM customers, they called it Cutting Edge Components Ltd (CEC).

Why? “Because,” says Noel, “we didn't want to be second best to anybody and we were determined to apply the very best technology available to every one of our processes.”

CEC customers also tend to be associated with cutting edge technology, operating in the electronics, aerospace, medical, telecoms, scientific equipment and security markets.

Having worked as a sales engineer for Citizen's UK distributor the choice of machine tool was no surprise, although Noel admits to checking out other manufactures before making the final decision. CEC currently runs two Citizen sliding head CNC machines to produce the small and medium parts and a Daewoo Puma 230MS fixed head machine for the larger work. They plan to add a fourth machine, probably another Citizen, soon.

Many of the components produced are machined from exotic and often difficult materials such as stainless steel, aluminium and titanium, plus some brass.

Commenting on the company's choice of cutting fluid Noel says that while it is possible to use any fluid to machine brass, when it comes to machining 316 stainless steel with tight tolerances they needed a product that would give exceptional tool life and efficiency. Which is one of the reasons why CEC chose Castrol Carecut ES2 (Plate 2).

The other is Noel's earlier experience of Citizen machines when he first came into contact with Castrol.

Plate 2 Castrol Carecut ES2

As he explains: “We had occasional machining problems that we usually solved with the help of specific types of oil, and we were very happy with another supplier's product, which we really thought was the 'bees knees'.”

“Then Castrol came along with Carecut ES2. We did extensive trials with it and the results were absolutely amazing! Here were all the properties we needed in a single fluid – it was clear and clean, low misting and low foaming with a high flashpoint, and its viscosity was ideal for the high pressure coolant system. It was also technically superior, providing better cutting performance and tool life.”

Naturally, he remembered the experience and, as the groundwork had already been done, when he and Simon started Cutting Edge Components they opened for business with Castrol Carecut ES2.

Comments Noel: “We use high pressure (2,000 psi) coolant systems on all our machines so we are working in extreme conditions. Carecut ES2 performs at pressures where most coolants, even those claiming high-pressure performance, begin to vaporise and foam significantly. It also has a high flash point, which is essential for the cutting conditions we're applying, and again, most oils just won't stand up to it.”

He also points to the hidden benefits of using Carecut ES2, especially tool life, which he says often save most of the money. “We can triple the life of a cutting tool, a drill or a reamer using Carecut ES2. That means we are not constantly stopping the tool, so efficiency and productivity improves dramatically.” He says, adding that because it is thin oil, it does not stick on to the machine and discolour it like thicker oils do, which also helps to create a much smoother working environment.

Again referring to his past experience, he says that many of the companies having problems with sliding head machines do not realise that they may be coolant related. He explains: “Companies that do not use high performance coolants may experience 'burn off' when the cutting process heats the fluid they are using to a point where its additives begin to evaporate. These chemicals should be replaced at a specific rate and over a set period of time to maintain the consistency of the fluid and achieve optimum performance.

“It's no wonder that companies who don't maintain their cutting fluids correctly, have problems six months later!” he says.

Summing up CEC's choice of Carecut ES2 Noel says that there are cheaper coolants and he and Simon did think about the cost when they started the business. But they decided that it would be a false economy to use anything else.

As he puts it: “It is very easy to forget about Carecut ES2 because it does its job so well.”

For further information, please contact: Castrol Customer Service, Castrol (UK) Ltd, Wakefield House, Pipers Way, Swindon, SN3 IRE. Tel: +44 (0)845 9645111; Fax: +44 (0)1793 486083; E-mail: thrussc@castrol.com; Website: www.castroladvantage.com