Smart manufacturing and continuous improvement are buzzwords that
inevitably involve a search to improve
efficiency. While this sounds simple,
the practice of continuous improvement
requires actively thinking outside of the
box, especially when the status quo is
automatically accepted as the best way
to produce a part.
While tube bending has experienced
significant leaps forward throughout the
years, mainly through progress in machine design and related technologies,
efficiencies, and capabilities, one area
that is frequently overlooked is proper
lubrication. While mandrel and wiper
die lubrication often are critical components in the bending process, it seems a
one-size-fits-all lubrication method has
become the default standard.
Far and away the most common prac-
tice is to apply a liberal amount of a thick
paste or gel through the mandrel to pro-
vide protection. However, in many cases,
this thick fluid is overkill and is often un-
necessary. Often a much smaller amount
of a high-quality lubricant performs just
as well and can further improve efficien-
cy by eliminating secondary processes
such as cleaning of the tubes.
This thought led the engineering
staff of fabricating equipment manufacturer Horn Machine Tools to join forces
with a lubricant manufacturer, Metalloid, and a fluid dispensing equipment manufacturer, Unist, to offer its
customers another option.
Lube It Where You Need It
The concept Unist uses, Minimum
Quantity Lubrication™, is suitable for
metal machining operations as well as
accurate roller lubrication systems for
the metal forming industry. While it is
used primary to apply lubricants to cut-
ting surfaces, the process is making in-
roads into the tube bending sector.
Metalloid recently turned its attention
to microlubrication, focusing on applica-
tions that need a very small amount of a
lubricant. Its approach has been successful
in manufacturing operations from HVAC
to automotive, and it too recently started
to focus its attention on bending tube.
“We have the fluids to do the job, but
we needed the application equipment,”
said Terry Weidemann of Metalloid. “We
had worked with Unist on different ap-
plications in the past, so we worked
together on an applicator system for lu-
bricating through the mandrel, the wiper
die, or both. The key is to apply fluid
only in the exact amount that is needed,
which is how our fluids are meant to be
applied.”
Doing
more
with
less
(lubricant)
A thin film is enough for many bending applications
By Mark Cooper
