Cold air system for cooling cutters

[radavis]

I went to a shopbot camp this week end an Bill talk about a cold air system, if you cut Aluminum or plastic it does a good job of keeping the cutter cool, it has gone up I got my two yr ago for $149.95

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=319-3846&PMPXNO=19507210

[Gary Campbell]

Here is a $15 (McMaster)& an hours labor option.

3422
Gary

[radavis]

Gary do you cut Aluminum with your machine too. how is the air cooled that come thought it? the one I have blows hot air out the back and very cold air out the front lowering the temp of the cutter 80% to 90%. I like to know more about it, that way I wouldn't have to move my from machine to machine.

Robert

[Gary Campbell]

Robert..
Yes I occasionally cut aluminum. All the brackets on the drill in the pic were cut or drilled on the Bot. We cut plastic fairly often tho. The blower nozzle shown is just an air nozzle connected to the air line coming to the drill. The air is not cooled, just blown on the bit. I got the idea from one of Brady's earlier posts.
Gary

[radavis]

Gary
thanks, I will have to try that, it will make it ez and I won't have to move the one on my big mill.
Robert

[sailfl]

Gary,

Could you please supply the McMaster part number if you still have it.

Thanks

[Gary Campbell]

Nils..
The Coolant hose is McMaster part #5307K76
Gary

[ray_skaines]

Years ago when I did industrial sandblasting I wore a hood that had an air hose and regulator that blew cool air into the hood. Simple looking device but I never knew how it worked.

Called a "climate control tube" or "vortex tube" the site below explains how they work. Click on the "next" tab at the bottom of the page to find more detailed information.

http://www.exair.com/Cultures/en-US/Primary+Navigation/Products/Vortex+Tubes+and+Spot+Cooling/Vortex+Tubes/Vortex+Tubes+Home.htm (http://www.exair.com/Cultures/en-US/Primary+Navigation/Products/Vortex+Tubes+and+Spot+Cooling/Vortex+Tubes/Vortex+Tubes+Home.htm)

Prices have increased immensely the past couple of years. However, search the internet for "climate control tube", "vortex tube", or "spot cooling tube" and see what you can find.

I'm using a Bullard HC2400 Hot/Cold Climate Control Tube and adding a flexible hose kit from Grainger to make mine.

Best regards,
Ray

[jay_p]

Ray,
Thanks for the reference. I have always wondered how those work.

Jay

[jay_p]

I just got a catalog from Arizona Vortex and I see that they have a vortex tube cooler for cnc cabinets. It is thermostatically controlled and is filtered. If anyone is still having problems with their control box overheating, this may be a solution.
http://www.arizonavortex.com/cabinet-cooler/

Jay

[br928]

Jay,

I have used these in the industrial environment for years. It is an expensive way to cool an enclosure when you look at the air consumption. In a plant environment where there is a potentially explosive atmosphere or no power available, it is a justifiable solution.


I do have a cold air gun on my Bot that I use when I drill steel. Even at 60PSI-supply pressure, I can hear my 5HP compressor run almost continuously. That’s a lot of watts to spot cool my drill bit!