Project: Development of new alternative cooling technique based on low cost cryogenic fluids

BE-COOL project aims at developing a new alternative cooling technology based on cryogenic fluids, by designing, manufacturing and validating a versatile cooling system able to reduce or completely remove the use of traditional coolants and cutting fluids in machining processes. Furthermore, it will reduce costs and environmental impact, at least maintaining the productivity of the machining process. [When talking about "cooling" techniques, we refer to refrigeration and lubrication techniques used to cool and lubricate the cutting area]. Nowadays, most of the metal working fluids used in machining operations are mineral oil-based fluids. These chemical based coolants are not only widely used but their consumption is increasing in the machining industry. In US market for instance, it is expected an annual growth of 2% on their use. Despite their widespread use, they pose significant health and environmental hazards, throughout their life cycle due to their complex composition. Currently, the introduction of environmental legislation series and International regulations authorities are making the manufacturing sector to reduce the consumption of mineral oil based metal working fluids. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reducing or completely removing the use of these harmful cutting oils in the machining operation. Although different cooling techniques have already been developed (e.g. dry-machining, MQL, high pressure cooling), none of them gives a global solution that could cover the requirements needed in all cases. As industry evolves, new advanced engineering materials appear such as low machinability alloys. The use of coolants in the machining of low machinability alloys is a very critical aspect. At low temperatures cryogenic fluids appear. These fluids are liquefied and then direct to the cutting zone in order to absorb the generated heat and evaporate it into the atmosphere. The most used and well-known cryogenic fluid in machining is liquefied nitrogen (LN2), taking advance of its low temperature (-196ºC). Results from surveys show that application of LN2 can drastically increase the tool life and allow higher speeds.

Acronym	BE-COOL
Duration	02/12/2013 - 30/11/2015
Project Topic	Adaptive manufacturing technologies: processes for removing, joining, adding, forming, consolidating, assembling
Network	MANUNET II
Call	MANUNET Call 2013

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	GUTMAR, S.A.	Coordinator	Spain
2	SUSENSA	Partner	Spain
3	KONDIA	Partner	Spain
4	MECANIFRAN	Partner	Spain
5	HRE HIDRAULIC	Partner	Spain
6	NECO	Partner	Spain
7	KARCAN	Partner	Türkiye
8	MAXIMA	Partner	Türkiye