Made 4 Art: Metalworking

Made 4 Art: Metalworking
Here's an excellent article on the history and process of metalworking. On her blog, "Made 4 Art" Ms. Paula-Daniela Silvestru from Romania has a highly detailed and thoroughly researched paper that is informative and complete.

Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create structures or machine parts. The term covers a wide range of work, from large ships, bridges and oil refineries to delicate jewellery and instruments. Consequently, this craft covers a wide range of skills and entails the use of many types of tools.

Read more here.

New Cutting Fluid from Master Chemical

Here's a press release from PRWeb describing a new cutting fluid recently made available.

Master Chemical Expands Family of High-Oil Semisynthetic Microemulsions with TRIM® Microsol® 685

Master Chemical Corporation expands its family of proprietary high-oil semisynthetics with the now commercially available TRIM® MicroSol® 685. As with all of the MicroSol products, it offers superior cooling, corrosion protection and excellent cleanliness with improved lubricity and sump life over previously released TRIM MicroSol products.

Read more here

Corrosion And Metalworking Fluids

Here's an excellent article covering causes of corrosion from ph and swarf to water hardness and bacterica count.

By Greg Foltz, Manager
Engineering & Development
Consumable Products Division, Milacron Inc.

By definition, corrosion is the partial or complete wearing away, dissolving or softening of any metal substance by chemical action. The term “rust” is often misapplied or misused, as it applies only to iron and steel. The term “corrosion,” however, is all inclusive, in that it not only applies to ferrous metals but also to non-ferrous metals. The following discusses the causes of corrosion and possible corrective actions. Read more here

Another Emerging Market for Oil Skimmers

A New Way to Skim and Save

By Jim Petrucci

Oil and water don’t mix, efficiency and profits often do. While the oil and water adage is well known to biodiesel producers—it means feedstock is contaminated with water—it also offers an opportunity. Biodiesel plant personnel are always looking for new tools and equipment that help a facility operate more efficiently. Oily water is a major hurdle to efficient processing operation.

Read more . . .

Announcing the Next Generation Sidewinder

New Features of Generation 8 Sidewinder - Metalworking sump tube skimmer • Improved gear drive technology • Longer tube life • Compact design • Skims underneath conveyors, enclosed sumps, and hard-to-access areas • Pick the reach you need: sizes available from 8” up to 95” • Installs in seconds • Industrial-grade pick-up tubing uses ceramic scraper • Large oil discharge port • 1 quart per hour oil removal capacity • Only 1/2x3” (13x76mm) sump access needed! • Maximum temperature 90°F (30°C) • Continuous-duty motor • One year warranty • Tube returns and oil scraped off to discharge port

Read more here. . .

Machining Coolant Recycling

Always on the lookout for industry news detailing the advantages of a good coolant maintenance program, here's an article almost ten years old but still relevant.


Unidrive Pty. Ltd. undertake extensive machining operations during the production of automotive components. In the past this resulted in the generation of 20,000 litres of waste coolant every week. By implementing a coolant recovery and recycling system, Unidrive have saved approximately $179,000 per annum as a result of more efficient coolant usage and management.

To read more

Industry News

Here's some interesting coolant maintenance industry news.

Safety-Kleen, Quaker Chemical to Jointly Offer Unique Metalworking Fluid Management Program

September 24, 2007: 08:30 AM EST

PLANO, Texas, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. and Quaker Chemical Corporation have joined forces to offer companies in the metalworking industry a unique blend of high-quality products and environmental services from both companies.

Read more here.

All about lunch

It's been so long since we've been on here - my bad! Glitterfly's been checking out all the food sites, figuring out calories. McD's, Chipotles, and now she's into granulated kelp instead of salt. Yum!

Oh, and talk about being courteous. Glit has gone and washed the knife that SOME totally UNCONSCIENTIOUS barbarian has left on the kitchen counter. OMG!

Now, how about a fashion alignment of the galaxy? Glitterfly and the Head Lady (yet to be named, but she currently occupies the former Office Of Doom) wore the exact same outfits! What's the odds of that? Black top and white capris. It makes sense at a place called Zebra, huh?

Later!

As the Herd Turns

This is going to be a bit disjointed and summarized, because so much has just happened. You wouldn't believe.

Let's see. GlitterFly just got her car back from the repair shop, and then the next day got rammed in a parking lot by a Hummer. It's back in the shop.

In the meantime, Buddha is staying home today to recoup and refocus. Uh oh.

Did we mention that the fish in the tank are getting pretty big?

Okay, I can't mention all the juicy stuff that's going on in the office. Bummer.

Cap'n.

Zebra Skimmers Revealed

Zebra is all about helping metalworking fluid and wash tank users in machine shops and factories.

Of course, we love to have fun while doing so, and this is one of the reasons our customers keep coming back. Since, not only do they receive kind and helpful service from our staff (who actually like their jobs) but they can rely on our line of quality, fluid maintenance equipment.

We've just introduced this blogspot, so feel free to post your own coolant maintenance horror/hilarity story...like the time one customer was using their coolant concentrate straight out of the tote! Yikes, I guess he didn't read the product data information!

And, when you realize you need some help for your shop, give us a call at 1-888-249-4855 or check out our product site, ZebraSkimmers.com.

Happy Machining!

MGC PWR

Went Shopping

The team went out for lunch, spearheaded by Sunny (who never wants to go out).
GlitterFly bought some sushi but didn't like it too much, so gave it to the Cap'n. Yum!

It's official, we're telling it like it is!

The skimmer world isn't well known,
it's not terribly interesting,
it's not the fastest pace industry in town,
and it's not glamorous like iPods or dress shoes,

But it takes care of business.
And this is where we'll post our fun stories,
observations about customers,
products, industry, and life in general
just for the heck of it!

Of course, all names and places will be changed
to protect us from those nuisance lawsuits!
And from hurting anyone's feelings.

Hope you enjoy!
Zebra Captain