Mr. Ranisch, what do you expect from the new coolant solution featuring COOLANTLYNX, FLUIDLYNX and NEATBOX?
I expect the new solution to be Industry 4.0-capable and also to meet the digital requirements of our times – above all, for example, when it comes to data collection. This is instrumental for our day-to-day operations, as process security and traceable processes are immensely important. Of course, it is also important to note that these solutions are staff-centric. We are currently suffering from a real shortage of skilled workers and have to deploy skilled workers in secondary areas, who should actually be working on other tasks. This is another area that should improve with this equipment. But all that aside, I expect – as probably everyone does – to see water-miscible metal working fluids be properly maintained, whilst also being longer-lasting and cheaper to use thanks to the new solution.

Are your customers open to coolant solutions and is there potential in this area?
Yes, our customers are increasingly looking for these kinds of solutions. Not least due to the shortage of skilled workers mentioned above. In my opinion, the potential is significant. Even small and medium-sized enterprises are taking an interest in these devices. Above all, they are looking to reduce costs, simplify processes and relieve staff. The coolant provides the foundation of a functioning, reliable system.

Do you think the new coolant solution will help bring your customers round to the idea of an all-in-one solution – equipment, infrastructure and fluids?
Yes, of course. Solutions such as this are only of interest to customers who take a sustainable and, above all, structured approach to their production processes and who want to implement them in a future-oriented company. Users who do not maintain the necessary tools will of course not be enthusiastic about investing in this kind of equipment and the necessary infrastructure. But anyone working with demanding and high-quality applications or with bulk parts who cares about safe processes will be interested in these solutions.

Do you think you need to advise and educate customers?Certainly. We definitely have to advise and educate our customers. In many instances, we have opted for completely individual consultations and training courses, as each company is structured differently. After all, we also get involved in material logistics and the material flow of line production as well as in workshop-oriented manufacturing. Here, the coolant is an indispensable cog in the system, and it has been neglected to this day. This is certainly also due to the fact that universities, colleges and other institutions offer very few training courses. In many cases, we don't even have reliable data – for example, on the residual contamination of cooling lubricants. This is not recorded in any DIN or anywhere else. Instead, we use standards of a different nature, such as NRS standards. Although the NRS standard is suitable for hydraulic oils, in many cases there is no documented knowledge. This is why we have to advise and train our customers.

Roland Ranisch
Managing Director
T: +49 6257 99813 03
r.ranisch@fsfiltergmbh.de

FS Filter- und Schmierstofftechnik GmbH
Philipp-Reis-Strasse 18
64404 Bickenbach