Optimising system efficiency
September 1st 2007

Pratt Burnerd International, a 600 Group company, has realised improved system efficiency by replacing its existing coolant with Solmaster S Plus a high performance bio-stable soluble metal working fluid from Batoyle Freedom Group

Pratt Burnerd International specialise in the design and manufacture of Lathe Chucks and accessories for machine tools. Cutting fluid is used at various stages of the manufacturing process. At its manufacturing site in Halifax, Pratt Burnerd International has been successfully trialling Solmaster S Plus, a semi-synthetic metal working fluid, for the past 18 months.

Operating a site which manufactures on a continual basis means that ensuring optimum machine efficiency is paramount.

The existing cutting fluid used within the manufacturing process at Pratt Burnerd International had become problematic.

Increases in machine downtime were becoming more frequent as a result of the poor sump life and the corrosive nature of the cutting fluid. At this stage Graham Walker, the Buyer at Pratt Burnerd International, invited Batoyle Freedom Group, to recommend an alternative solution.

Edward Baresh, sales manager at Batoyle, suggested trialling Solmaster S Plus. Designed around a recently evolved additive system, Solmaster S Plus, represents the latest concept in cutting fluid technology specifically formulated to produce a robust, long life, bio-stable emulsion for arduous machining operations.

Graham Walker agreed to trial Solmaster S Plus, initially on only one of the machines, in order to provide a comparison against the performance of the existing cutting fluid.

Over the trial period Graham Walker was impressed with the results; "There was an immediate cost saving realised when we introduced Solmaster S Plus which we are still evaluating. This has been created due to improved operator and system efficiency." Solmaster S Plus has a significant tolerance to tramp oil contamination and inherent resistance to fungal and bacterial attack. Along with the general health and safety benefits this brings, the bio-stability also contributes to long-term system cleanliness. Also giving extended sump life. As a result Solmaster S Plus reduces machine downtime and so creates operator efficiency.

"Solmaster S Plus has also proven to have excellent environmental benefits. We have found it easier and cost effective to dispose of this cutting fluid." Solmaster S Plus addresses all the latest environmental and health and safety issues as it is totally free from phenol, nitrites, chlorine and sulphur. This greatly reduces disposal problems and costs.

Graham Walker concludes: "Solmaster S Plus has proven to be a high performance cutting fluid which has created cost savings, reduced machine downtime and improved operator and system efficiency.

Moreover, we believe that the integrity of the machines using Solmaster S Plus will be greatly enhanced due to its excellent anti-corrosion properties which will ultimately extend the life of the machines." Pratt Burnerd International has since introduced Solmaster S Plus to all of the machines in the factory. Solmaster S Plus is a robust and versatile coolant which can be used within the most arduous of machining operations including; maple reaming, tapping, deep hole drilling and boring of ferrous and non ferrous metals and also on heavy duty machining of softer materials such as copper, brass and aluminium.

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