While much is being done in the metalworking industry to formulate, contain, handle and dispose of cutting fluids in an environmentally responsible manner, large scale reduction in fluid usage is also being accomplished through minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), also known as Near Dry Machining (NDM). By adding MQL systems to CNC machines and selection appropriate tooling and processes, MQL is capable of creating significant economies and process improvements in metal removal operations, helping both the environment and the bottom line. In the same way processes are determined for flood cooling operations, there are multiple factors to be evaluated to create an optimum MQL process combination. Speeds, feeds, materials used, tool design, fluid types, and chip evacuation are among the most important considerations. There are some basic usage design characteristics which result in successful MQL integration.

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