Hennig Helps

How To Choose the Best Chip and Coolant Management System

November 21, 2022

Conveyors & Filtration

If you have a machine that makes a metal or plastic chip, Hennig designs the right chip and coolant management system for the application. So there we go. Looks like this blog post is complete!

Well, maybe not. Applications vary greatly from machine to machine and shop to shop, meaning there are a whole lot of conveyor options out there. So many, in fact, that the choices can be pretty overwhelming. Just look at all the conveyor types we make at Hennig:

  • Scraper
  • Hinge
  • Mobile
  • Magnetic
  • Auger
  • Pure Flow
  • Custom and Turnkey
  • Chip Disc Filtration (CDF)
chip conveyors coolant management for cnc machine tools

It’s important to have the right conveyor fit. For example, if you have a scraper belt conveyor for any kind of chip that floats, you’re gonna have a bad time. Same story if you have a hinge belt conveyor that you expect to collect very fine chips. Not ideal.

So with all the applications and all the subsequent chip and coolant management systems out there, how do you make the best call?

Well, that’s what we’ll help you with today. Here are some questions you should ask and answer to find the best chip and coolant management system for you.

Question 1: What’s your chip situation?

A few things go into this:

  1. Whether aluminum, steel, cast iron, plastic or something else entirely, the properties of your material impact the efficacy of your chip and coolant management system.
  2. Chip volume. Spindle horsepower and RPM dictates the amount of chips flowing through your conveyor. You want to be sure you have a system that’s built to handle the output.
  3. Chip type. The size and shape of your chips should greatly influence the conveyor you go with. Is it scrap, fines or something in between?

Bottom line: before you make your selection, stop and consider the following: What material do you currently cut all the time? What material do you currently cut occasionally? And what kinds of jobs do you see your shop working on in the future?

As a general rule, hinge chip conveyors are a good fit for the following chip types:

  • Ribbon
  • Tubular
  • Spiral
  • Washer type helical
  • Conical helical
  • Arc (connected)

On the other side, you’ll probably want to go with a scraper chip conveyor for these chip types:

  • Arc (loose)
  • Elemental
  • Needle
  • Fines
  • Swarf/sludge

Finally, a magnetic chip conveyor is probably the play if you have a ferrous material application:

  • cast iron or steel chips
  • small parts or scrap

Question 2: what are your measurements?

At Hennig, before recommending the best chip and coolant management system for you, we always consider floor space to properly utilize the correct amount of square footage. Knowing the amount of space your machines occupy—and the available space for your conveyor system—is critical.

Question 3: why choose Hennig for chip conveying and filtration?

Ah yes, the big question. Simply put, you’re not one-size-fits-all. Your business is unique, and so are the chips you make. Depending on your application, you might need a high-end custom solution, or you might not need a chip conveyor at all.

No matter where you fall on that spectrum, we don’t oversell you by giving you a chip and coolant management system you don’t need. We simply work with you and find the fit, and we mean that literally. Conveyor retrofits can get messy in a hurry, but we make sure your Hennig product fits your machine tool from the start. Ultimately, we do whatever is needed to best protect your machines, your parts and your bottom line.

If you’re ready to dive deeper, get to know even more about selecting the best chip and coolant management system for your chip type. And when it’s time to get down to business, talk to us about chip conveyors and filtration. We’ll be here.

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