Nearly lost a $200 part when my coolant flood stopped working

I was running a job on a Mazak at 8pm last Tuesday night, cutting 6061 aluminum. About halfway through the program, I heard this weird squealing sound from the spindle area. Before I could hit the feed hold, the tool started glowing red and the aluminum welded itself to the carbide end mill. The coolant line had gotten kinked behind the chip auger and stopped flowing completely. I managed to stop the machine and pull the tool before it shattered, but it was smoking bad. That part was a custom bracket for a local race shop, and the stock was $200 plus 3 hours of setup time. Now I check my coolant lines every time I start a new tool path. Has anyone else had a coolant issue ruin a big job like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

black.jake11h ago

Oh man that's brutal, sorry that happened. I started doing the same visual check on every tool change after a coolant hose popped off on a Mori and I nearly trashed a $500 fixture plate.

taylorellis11h ago

Yep, had a similar thing happen on a Haas VF-2 a few years back. Coolant hose cracked right at the swivel joint and I didn't catch it until the tool was red hot. Now I keep a spare hose kit in my toolbox and do a quick visual check on every tool change.