Hello! I recently started experimenting with aluminum and love it. I’m looking at the SST Lube Cube. Searches for coolant seems to turn up only spindle coolant. Does anyone know what would be required/possible to control coolant/air for a job so I wouldn’t need to manually control it? Would I need a 12V solenoid? Is that supported via OF/Masso/Vectric?

Hey Todd, workpiece coolant is a standard on cnc machines. You can attach different systems to your machine(s). See them at your favorite CNC parts suppliers, e.g.: [image] Lubricating / Cooling Systems CNC-Tools - Industrie Quality for the hobbyclass Workpiece coolant is controlled by the standard g-code commands: M7, M8, M9 Coolant Control M7 - turn mist coolant on. M8 - turn flood coolant on. M9 - turn both M7 and M8 off. (Official RS-274 NGC G-code. Note that these commands can also be used for other purposes) depending on what you attach to the M7 / M8 control ports (“Load-1” and “Load-2” pins of 25-pin I/O port on buildbotics.com, e.g. vacuum control) See also [image] Das ColdEND Gen. 2 Das ColdEND der zweiten Generation Der Grundkörper wird aus Aluminium hergestellt. Durch den deutlich komplexeren, inneren Aufbau sichergestellt,… [Das erste Endprodukt ;) Meine Minimalmengenschmierung, das ColdEND!] [image] The Many Ways Ford Benefits from MQL Clean machining using minimum quantity lubrication has allowed Ford’s Van Dyke transmission plant to become fundamentally more efficient and effective at manufacturing six-speed automatic transmissions.

See my post about brass carving: [image] Milling Brass - Mess Mitigation - Success/Failure - And Questions Metals I purchased a mist coolant block and nozzle (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HT1Y4BK), which I attached to the laser mounting screw holes, and used isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as my coolant/lubricant. While it primarily functions as a coolant, I like to think it provides some degree of lubrication as well. The brass blanks were sourced from Send Cut Send (highly recommended). I secured them into a jig made from a scrap piece of wood, using a combination of blue tape and super glue. As long as …

Here’s a previous thread on misters Mister Setup for milling Aluminum? - #4 by Mikejsmith1985 Perform a search for flood cooling or mister cooling and you’ll find more.

Milling Brass - Mess Mitigation - Success/Failure - And Questions and used isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as my coolant/lubricant You may want to source a different coolant. According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), IPA has a flash point of 53 F CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Isopropyl alcohol. I’ve used NAPA Cutting and Grinding Oil https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/WLD7651526 for milling aluminum with great success. It’s available in other sizes than that shown in the link. I hope this helps. Eric

[image] DizzyG: I’ve used NAPA Cutting and Grinding Oil You bring up a valid point. I can’t recall exactly where I first heard about using IPA for metal carving on a CNC, but the biggest advantage is definitely the lack of cleanup, with no residual oil or risk of damaging wooden jigs or the spoilboard. I’d be open to trying oil-based solutions if I can find a way to manage the oily residue and securely mount the workpiece. Given that most CNC machines aren’t designed for full “flood” coolant or lubrication setups, it’s tricky—especially since the workpieces I typically deal with are often round or irregularly shaped. Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions on how to handle this?

[image] SurfinGump: Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions on how to handle this? Although I’ve not built it yet, I plan on making a tray out of solid surface material. It can be mounted to the spoil board via double sided tape or with clamping tabs and can use thread inserts for mounting the part inside the tray.

Bummer. I was considering IPA. I was thinking of a setup similar to what you’ve mentioned, @DizzyG. While it’s just another hurdle when mounting, it could have additional benefits, like a tall-ish wall around it to contain chip flyout. I’ve read that coolant is also helpful with plastic and I enjoy milling HDPE which is a wicked mess, so something a bit module (or two single-purpose)…

Just to clarify, I’ve not done “flood” cooling, only “mist” and it uses very little solution.

And I haven’t done anything, so there! :wink: I have the lube cube on order, so yet another topic to learn by trial and error. Sigh. I haven’t even used my laser or my 4th axis yet!

Controlling Lube Cube

Elite Series (Masso & Redline) (Gen 1)

SurfinGump (Forrest) October 14, 2024, 5:33am 3

See my post about brass carving:

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Controlling Lube Cube

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