T.M. Smith Now Offers Complete New Line of Minimum Quantity Lubricant (MQL) Tool Holders


In response to industry's increased desire to take advantage of the benefits of tool holders that apply a minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) design, T.M. Smith Tool International has developed their own line, Fig. 1, of MQL tool holders for HSK, V-flange and straight tool shank designs. This MQL line includes all Shrinker® nose types as well as the majority of collet style tool holders.

Tom Wagner, T.M. Smith Tool chief engineer, says "There is a real movement across the metalworking industry to consider MQL tool holders. Practically all of the new programs we are quoting include the option of using MQL tool holders. Having the ability to drastically reduce the environmental and cost issues associated with the disposal of large quantities of used cutting oil, coolant and contaminated machined chips is very significant...let alone having the ability to reduce the costs related to coolant and lubrication systems."

Wagner explains, "Tool holders with an MQL design basically utilize a standard coolant pipe that fits into a threaded coolant nozzle that varies in length, depending on the length of the holder, Fig. 2. The tool holder design merely requires an additional threaded hole in the confines of the holder to mount the nozzle. However, the coolant passage and the inner surfaces of the holder must be very smooth, because a typical MQL lubrication system utilizes a large volume of air with minimal droplets of oil that when atomized must pass freely so the mixture does not re-classify into droplets."

Initial T.M. Smith Tool MQL tool holders are being used in machining systems and machining centers for producing automotive engine components.

T.M. Smith Tool International Corporation was founded in the 1957. It is a leader in the design and manufacture of quick-change tool holders for drilling, reaming and tapping. Over time, T.M. Smith has become well known, particularly in the worldwide automotive industry, for quality and innovative design and engineering. The company currently holds over 60 U.S. and international patents in tool holding technology.

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