When I was first asked this question one thing came to mind. “Boy, machines sure use a lot of cutting fluids, oils and electricity.” Perhaps these areas that can be improved. That is how I got interested in hydrostatics’ a technique in witch a low viscosity fluid is injected at high pressure on a specially design bearing surface to reduce friction. Hydrostatics have been implemented on hi precision machines such as grinders and wafer slicing machines. But if tuned for friction in less precise machines can they save you energy? Hydrostatics also have the advantage that they do not ware out and do not use oil base lubricants, perhaps there are savings there. And finally upgrading machines with the latest controls and motors which are currently very efficient and can be sized smaller given that you may have lest friction in the system will also help.
Now this merits some research and some number. When I get around to crank this I’ll post it. I will be like carbon footprint equivalent for a CNC machine. And this gets me thinking; maybe it’s not about the net saving but about the intention. All good things start with intentions and there is no telling where this can lead us. Maybe, this can be a key ingredient that can get young people interest in manufacturing; it can become a differentiator.
Any thought on the subject ? What other areas besides machine are there?
Now this merits some research and some number. When I get around to crank this I’ll post it. I will be like carbon footprint equivalent for a CNC machine. And this gets me thinking; maybe it’s not about the net saving but about the intention. All good things start with intentions and there is no telling where this can lead us. Maybe, this can be a key ingredient that can get young people interest in manufacturing; it can become a differentiator.
Any thought on the subject ? What other areas besides machine are there?
Attachments:
- HydroRound.pdf (3.0 MB)
- Hydrostatics.pdf (7.7 MB)
Tags:
open,
source,
cnc,
hydrostatics,
hardware,
bearings,
green,
energy,
efficiency,
cost,
environment,
machine,
design
Unfortunately, many of us who want to be Green(environmentally protective) really are Green(immature in age or judgment; untrained; inexperienced) when it comes to the impact of our actions. I think the idea of education has to play a huge role in helping us figure out not just how to re-engineer a process to be Green, but why we need to do so.
Fluids are a great start though. It seems like there are so many options that can be pursued to eliminate harmful fluids. I love my job at Slater Tools because we continuously are looking at our Rotary Broaching product, and how to expand the use of this hole cutting tool which uses little to no fluids. My wife Susie works in massage therapy, and the technological changes in fluids is happening there too. Advancements in essential oils have gone from aromatherapy, to supportive care to cancer patients, to who knows?? maybe a cutting fluid replacement some day.
But really, I could look at new ideas to put some Green in my pocket all day long, but it doesn't really help me address the concrete reasons why I need a new idea. I think the more we look at the long term and extended reasons why we do or do not believe something is harmful in manufacturing will really help us advance in the Green initiative. Maybe some oils and electricity are not bad, our bodies are electrical, and there must be something good about oil, I just want to find out more about ... why.