We are thinking about adding mist collectors to our cnc machines to control the smoke and vapor coming off our lathes and mills. We have a Royal filter mist collector on a couple of lathes that work ok. What do you guys think works the best with the least maintenance.
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Mistcollectors
- Thread starter jdowd
- Start date
- Replies 21
- Views 5,569
TeachMePlease
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Location
- FL
Royal Tri-Mist or Cool Blaster. Downside, they're expensive, and the filters have to be cleaned. Upside, the filters are reusable, and I have yet to see one break down, and I've seen them run for 3+ years, pretty much 24/7, 365.
jid2
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2013
- Location
- Auburn, WA
The Royal FilterMists are pretty low maintenance, they separate more mechanically and just use a simple filter for inlet air.
TDrake
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Location
- Minnesota and North Dakota, USA
We have an air quality specialist in our facility and we have worked with Handte Mist Collectors in many applications across multiple processes. They are durable and work great. The filters can be cleaned for reuse. Most mist collectors have filters that are an investment but will last quite a while. I am available for any questions if you would like.
EM112358
Aluminum
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2014
- Location
- Midwest, USA
We have a pretty big shop, tried almost all the brands of mist collector on both oil and water based machines. Absolent is now our only choice. Our maintenance guys love them. Filter cost isn't bad either. They're super quiet, and work very good at removing mist. Almost all our machines are high pressure (>1000 psi) so mist is something we must worry about.
E
E
zoeper
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Location
- South Africa, Cape Town
Slightly off topic, but still related and hopefully complementary to the OP's question.
When using mist collectors, do they collect the mist or do they condense it and return it to the sump? if so, what is the recovery rate and how much coolant would you lose in a day? (maybe rephrase that to: do you lose a significant amount of coolant when using mist collectors? Would you lose more with or without?
Are they mainly used to improve air quality, prevent coolant loss or protect the electronics from that sticky black residue you find in well used machines?
Any other Pro's/ cons criteria that should be considered when choosing a mist collector system?
When using mist collectors, do they collect the mist or do they condense it and return it to the sump? if so, what is the recovery rate and how much coolant would you lose in a day? (maybe rephrase that to: do you lose a significant amount of coolant when using mist collectors? Would you lose more with or without?
Are they mainly used to improve air quality, prevent coolant loss or protect the electronics from that sticky black residue you find in well used machines?
Any other Pro's/ cons criteria that should be considered when choosing a mist collector system?
wippin' boy
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2005
- Location
- il.
Most do have a condensation return. Return is minimal. " I think" the coolant loss is mostly unchanged. But I have never really talked to the science team about it. It does make a real difference in air quality when the building is closed up.
Tonytn36
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2007
- Location
- Southeastern US
We use AirFlow Systems. They do an excellent job.
rlockwood
Stainless
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
- Location
- Near Seattle, WA
Not sure if its the same for everyone, but this was somewhat comical. The Viglink system created a perfectly reasonable looking hyperlink out of 'AirFlow Systems'.. but rather than linking to mist collectors, it links to some dirt devil vacuum filters. Classic.
zoeper
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2010
- Location
- South Africa, Cape Town
Yes, that ticked me off as well. I think it sucks that auto links are created without them being verified as accurate.
Gobo
Titanium
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2013
- Location
- Oregon, USA
Royals are centrifugal. They do not work well if you create a LOT of mist/smoke. Filter cartridge types are more expensive, but handle large volumes well.
Spammer dredging up old post.
repairguy923
Plastic
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2019
We're currently using the Mistaway MA700 & MA1200 on our machines. We've had them for around a year and they work great. Our PM tech cleans them out every 3 months, they're very easy to clean and the filters are very affordable. In my opinion, the units perform very well.
You can even buy a their "Mist Manager", which is essentially an amp clamp you put on one of the spindle leads or coolant pump leads, sending power to the mist collector. This way your mist collector is only running when your spindle or coolant pump is running. I have ours on the spindle so it comes on when using accu-lube. They're also very easy to install so you won't have to pay any installation fees.
ARB
Titanium
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2002
- Location
- Granville,NY,USA
Another vote for Mist away. I like it better than my Royal. It's way quieter and seems to do a better job of removing mist. Plus they are made an hour away from me.
