HPM Technologie from Münsingen has been manufacturing modern spray heads in minimum quantity lubrication for the precise dosing of all types of liquids for 70 years. They are used in a wide variety of industries. However, the focus is on metalworking, where they are used for the application of cooling lubricants in machining processes.

The standard spray heads are the HTR and PSM series. These are used for the metered and fine-film application of liquids in the low-pressure range. The spray heads are operated on a so-called stationary valve and container assembly, which ensures a continuous supply of air and liquids. They then atomize the cooling lubricant according to the injector principle at a pressure of 0.5 to 1.5 bar (TCJ/MDJ series).

Almost all liquids can be sprayed - with the exception of paints, resins and adhesives - that reach a maximum viscosity of 100 mm²/s at 20 °C (for the systems in the TCJ series) and up to 2,300 mm²/s at 20 °C for the systems in the MDJ series. The spray jet produces an almost round full cone of around 15°. The distance between the adjustable nozzle and the sprayed workpiece or tool should not exceed 200 mm.

Safe connection components

HPM uses connection components from Eisele Pneumatics for minimum quantity lubrication. The company has over 75 years of experience with high-quality compressed air push-in fittings made of all-metal. However, media such as gases, cooling water, vacuum and liquids - also in combination with electrical and electronic cables - can also be transferred using Eisele push-in fittings. HPM Technologie had already been a customer of Eisele for 40 years when the two companies began to jointly develop and refine system and process-dependent special solutions in 2006. Since 2013, Eisele has been HPM's main supplier for connection components due to system adaptations. This has proven to be a real stroke of luck to this day: "Eisele simply has good products that are visually and functionally outstanding," emphasizes Steffen Hoffmann, member of the management board.

Solid connection guaranteed

Straight nickel-plated brass screw-in plug-in connections with release sleeves from the Eisele Basicline 14 and 14A ranges are used to supply the spray heads for minimum quantity lubrication. Although the plug-in connections on the spray heads are specially labeled, the air line also has a blue aluminium coding sleeve so that it is clear at first glance where the blue compressed air hose must be connected and mix-ups are virtually impossible.

The TCJ-6FACH-1Z-EL valve and container assembly is equipped with Eisele plug-in connections and can supply up to six spray heads with cooling lubricant.

The plug-in connections with release sleeve offer a larger gripping surface for releasing the hose compared to simple release rings. This is particularly advantageous for applications with oils or cooling lubricants, where the components in the vicinity of the drill or milling head - for example due to a machine malfunction or an oversight by the operator - can be wetted with spray medium despite all the precision. For the smaller spray heads in the PSM series, HPM uses program 10 from the Basicline. With these straight screw-in fittings made of black burnished brass, the hose is held in place by a union nut.

Advantages compared to conventional lubrication

The advantages of minimum quantity lubrication in operations such as thread cutting or milling are obvious: the consumption of cooling lubricant is significantly lower, and there is little or no cleaning effort on workpieces and machines when used in the correct dosage. In addition, there is no need to treat the cooling lubricant emulsion and chips or dispose of residual materials. It has also been shown in practice that higher cutting speeds and a better surface quality can be achieved.