Original publication:
Eurometalli 7/2024 https://view.taiqa.com/eurometalli/eurometalli-7-2024#/page=32
Konekuriiri 7/2024 page 32 https://www.lehtiluukku.fi/lue/eurometalli/7-2024/388958.html
Refilling machine tool coolant tanks is an essential but time-consuming task. Reponen Works decided to automate the process using a system supplied by Tekupit.
“The primary reason for automation is cost. At Reponen Works, refilling the coolant tanks of nine machines easily took one to two hours of unproductive work every day.”
“Another equally important reason is that automation allows the machine tools to operate unattended without the risk of production stopping because of a low coolant level.”
“Reducing fluctuations in coolant temperature also has a direct impact on dimensional accuracy.”
Reponen Works, officially Työstöhankinta Reponen Oy, was founded in 1985 after Risto Reponen sold the Teknokela company he had founded. Risto’s son, Esa Reponen, who had been involved in the business from the beginning, took over the company following a generational succession in 2006. Today, Reponen Works operates in Hämeenlinna, generates a turnover of approximately five million euros and employs more than 20 people.
Once Reponen Works Production Manager Ville Reponen had identified the need to automate the refilling of the company’s machine tool coolant tanks, the challenge was to find a practical and cost-effective solution.
A tip received at the 2023 Subcontracting Trade Fair led Reponen to discuss the matter with Jari Vainio, Managing Director of Tekupit Oy, based in Pirkkala. Tekupit, which specialises in importing machine tool accessories and spare parts, was at the time preparing to introduce a system designed specifically for this purpose to the Finnish market. The system is manufactured by the US-based company Zebra Skimmers.
Zebra Skimmers’ oil skimmers have been part of Tekupit’s product range throughout the company’s nearly 20-year history.
According to Ville Reponen, the need for automation is driven simply by costs.
“Refilling the coolant tanks of nine machines easily takes one to two hours of unproductive work every day,” Reponen explains.
“Another equally important reason is that automation makes it possible to operate the machine tools unattended without the risk of production stopping because of a low coolant level,” adds Jouni Pääskynen, Sales Manager at Tekupit.
Tekupit initially installed an automatic refilling unit on one machine tool for a trial period. Once the system had demonstrated its reliability during the trial, Reponen Works was ready to make the investment.
From Decision to Implementation
The system installed at Reponen Works consists of a coolant mixing unit and automatic refilling devices connected to a total of nine machine tools.
In projects of this kind, Tekupit’s role normally consists of supplying the equipment and assisting with commissioning. However, as this was an important pilot project, Tekupit’s Jari Vainio and Jouni Pääskynen decided to carry out the installation themselves.
Reponen Works was therefore responsible only for having the necessary pipework installed by a local contractor.
A Reliable System After Some Initial Challenges
As can sometimes happen when launching new products, the project was not entirely without complications.
At this stage, the decision to carry out the installation in-house proved to be a wise one. A thorough understanding of how the system worked was needed to identify and eliminate the root causes of the initial malfunctions.
As a result of the investigation, the necessary modifications were made to the system and approved by the manufacturer. Since then, the equipment has operated as expected.
Were the Objectives Achieved?
“Yes. Just as expected, the system frees up time for more important tasks,” says Ville Reponen of Reponen Works.
“The coolant levels also fluctuate much less than before. This has the added benefit of reducing variations in coolant temperature,” Reponen adds.
Looking Ahead
“The automatic coolant mixing and distribution system attracted considerable interest at the Engineering works trade fair in spring 2024. This made it clear that there is real demand for this type of solution among machine shops,” says Tekupit Oy’s Jouni Pääskynen.
“One of the features that makes the system supplied by Tekupit particularly attractive is its modular design. It can provide a viable investment for operations of any size, ranging from a single machine tool to installations serving dozens of machines.”
“We encourage companies to contact us and ask for further information. When necessary, we can also arrange a trial installation of the refilling unit on the customer’s own machine tool. This means that customers do not have to rely solely on our claims about how well the equipment works,” Pääskynen adds.
As further evidence of the system’s successful performance, Reponen Works is already considering extending it to machines that were not included in the initial installation.
