Mr Hunfeld, what position do you hold within MOTOREX AG’s Industrial Lubricants segment?
As Head of Process Optimisation, I oversee various areas, such as: Developing and testing sensor technology for online cooling lubricant measurement technology. I also look after prototype construction and the transition to series production.
What was the thought process behind offering more than just water-miscible cooling lubricants and cutting fluids?
Cooling lubricants only truly come into their own when customers take care of them appropriately. This requires an understanding of important parameters such as concentration and pH value, figures which are still taken largely manually and at large intervals. Cooling lubricants have been developed for use within specific parameters. Deviations lead to reduced performance and reduced service life. Our goal is to ensure our customer's cooling lubricants maintain the condition they were developed for. To do this, we need reliable measurement and control technology.
Are water-miscible cooling lubricants and cutting fluids being enhanced based on the equipment?
By precisely adhering to specific application parameters, it is possible to offer customer-centric performance specifications for cooling lubricants. It is entirely possible that a wide range of learnings can be derived from the data for further development. This helps us identify optimum formulations that contribute to the sustainability of these product lines.
How does MOTOREX support customers with FLUIDLYNX tools?
With FLUIDLYNX, taking individual measurements and, if necessary, laboratory samples by hand is no longer necessary to the extent it was before. Measured concentration values, , pH values and temperatures are automatically recorded and documented at adjustable intervals. Setpoint deviations are immediately indicated.
What sets the MOTOREX sensor from apart from its competitors?
Commonly used optical sensors have one major disadvantage: the specific characteristics of the cooling lubricant lead to measurement errors that then need to be resolved manually or automatically. What's more, these online systems are also very expensive.
MOTOREX uses a different measuring approach that doesn't have these issues.
What's next for FLUIDLYNX devices? Are there any developments on the horizon?
Things get interesting when working with other measured variables in addition to the aforementioned concentration, pH value and temperature parameters. These include electrical conductivity, nitrite content, cleanliness and odour. Our solution to these tasks can also be found in our specifications. One upgrade for FLUIDLYNX will be the addition of mixing technology, which converts the cooling lubricant in the machine tank into the correct state and keeps it there. This is another area MOTOREX is working on.
Cooling lubricants is the lifeblood of the machining process. If even on parameter deviates, it can cause the entire system to fail. Precise measurement technology is the solution to this problem.
For further information, please contact the Head of Process Optimisation at MOTOREX AG:
Hans-Hermann Hunfeld
Head of Process Optimisation Industrial Lubricants
T: +41 62 919 75 81
hans-hermann.hunfeld@motorex.com