Micro-lubricating systems were developed at the Boeing Company in 1981 as a method for applying highly efficient lubricants at a constant low flow rate in milling aluminum. A combination of positive displacement pumps and metered air flow was developed and proved to be very effective. Frank Gaunt, the Boeing engineer in charge of the project, gained permission from Boeing to patent the technology and left to form the Accu-Lube Corporation. As he worked to commercialize the product, it quickly became apparent that the system was particularly well suited to sawing and milling applications where the lubricant could be applied to the tool just prior to the cut and re-applied as the tool or blade rotated-interrupted cut applications.
Primary Benefits-Micro lubrication, when used for interrupted cut type machining, eliminates flood coolants and the disposal issues associated with them. A typical saw using one drum per month of soluble flood lubricants (over 1,000 gallons after dilution) could reduce their total usage to just two gallons of micro-lubrication lubricant. Based on the lubricant savings of $500 per machine users could justify the purchase of the system and the lubricant at $65 per gallon. Additional benefits found were: elimination of waste from soluble oils, dry chips, clean-up of the work environment and elimination of slippery floors around machinery, and reduction of skin dermatitis from exposure to flood lubricants.
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