10/19/2012
Cold Air Tool Cooling For Machining (#9)
We have been using cold air cooling in our shop for cast iron machining for several years. It does several things: it keeps the tool cool without the use of wet coolant, it blows away the dry chips, and it eliminates having the mess of coolant everywhere. Also, we no longer have to pay to have drums of coolant removed.
Cold Air Guns use a small amount of filtered compressed air and vortex tube technology to produce sub-freezing air for numerous cooling applications. Without any moving parts to wear out, the internal vortex tube converts shop compressed air into a cold air stream, producing temperatures down to as low as -30 degrees F.
Visit the Cold Air Guns website (www.airtx.com/cold_air_guns) to see applications and details. There are many makes and types of cold air guns available. A basic setup can be purchased for less than $150.
Jim Kovach
Kovach & Associates
Performance Engine Building
Parma, OH