Machine tool coolant filtering system for segregating different contaminants

摘要

A machine tool coolant filtering system (10) is disclosed as including a plurality of coolant filter tanks (12). Also a method is disclosed which includes identifying particular contaminants in tool coolant and selectively directing the tool coolant to a particular filter tank (12) designated to filter out that contaminant from the tool coolant. A fluid control communication system (22) controls the communication of coolant from the machine tools to the coolant filter tanks (12). A liquid level sensor (40) senses coolant level within a respective tank (12). A modulating valve (46) in communication with the liquid level (40) senses the liquid level in the respective tank (12). If the coolant level in its respective tank (12) falls below a threshold range, the respective modulating valve (46) is closed to restrict coolant from being removed from its respective tank (12) to maintain the coolant level in the respective tank. If the coolant level in the respective tank (12) rises above the threshold range, the respective modulating valve (46) is opened to allow removal of coolant, to maintain the coolant level within the threshold range in each coolant filter tank (12). The system is operated so as segregate different material contaminants produced by one or more machine tools.