Mist Filtration Recirculation for CNC Machine Tool Enclosures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
CNC machine tools generate mist during cutting operations, which contaminates the air and poses health risks to operators and leaves residues on surfaces, and existing mist extraction systems often discharge filtered air into the environment rather than recirculating it for further filtration.
Innovation Solution
A mist extraction system that recirculates filtered air back into the CNC machine tool enclosure for continued filtration, using a filter assembly with coarse filter media and a centrifugal blower to remove mist droplets through inertia impaction and multiple passes through filter panels, and returns the collected fluid to the storage tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mist is extracted and discharged into the environment, then mist concentration in the enclosure is reduced, but filtered air is wasted and not reused for continued filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers filtered air that would otherwise be discharged and recirculates it back through the filtration system. The air handler continuously moves filtered air from the enclosure through the filter panels and back into the enclosure, ensuring that the filtered air is reused for continued mist extraction rather than being wasted to the environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fine filter media is used to capture mist droplets, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but maintenance costs and filter replacement frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into multiple coarse filter panels arranged in series within the air handler. Instead of using a single fine filter, the system divides the filtration function across multiple coarse filter panels that work together to capture mist droplets through repeated exposure as air passes through each panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the filtration parameter from fine filter media to coarse filter media. The coarse filter panels are designed with larger pore sizes that allow for easier cleaning and longer service life while still effectively capturing mist droplets through the multi-panel configuration and continuous recirculation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air is continuously recirculated through filtration, then mist concentration is reduced over time, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing pressure differentials and natural air movement within the enclosure to assist the blower in circulating air. The air handler is positioned and configured to utilize the enclosure's existing airflow patterns, reducing the additional energy required from the blower while maintaining effective mist extraction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces mist concentration in the air by continuously filtering and recirculating air, minimizing exposure to operators and maintaining a cleaner work environment, while also reducing maintenance and operational costs through the use of coarse filter media.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal blower to remove mist droplets
Implementation Method 2
remove mist droplets through inertia impaction and multiple passes through filter panels
Data Source
AI summary
A mist extraction system is provided that includes a plenum box having an inlet configured to be coupled in fluid communication with a machine tool enclosure. A blower is coupled in fluid communication with the plenum box and is configured to draw air into the plenum box from the machine tool enclosure via the inlet of the plenum box and exhaust the air back into the machine tool enclosure via an outlet of the blower. A baffle plate is arranged in the plenum box to redirect the air drawn into the plenum box through the inlet of the plenum box and a filter panel is arranged in the plenum box to filter the air redirected by the baffle plate prior to the air entering the blower. A collector arranged to collect mist from the air condensed on the baffle plate and the filter panel.