Coolant technology from a single sourceFrequently asked questions
Questions and answers about coolant
Short answers to what plant managers and maintenance staff ask most often. If you cannot find your question, call us: +36 70 611 6004.
About SWISSCOOL
Who is the official distributor of MOTOREX in Hungary?
SWISSCOOL Kft. is the official Hungarian distributor of the MOTOREX Industrial Line industrial lubricants, including the SWISSCOOL coolants and the SWISSCUT cutting oils.
The company is based in Veresegyház and Gödöllő, and provides commissioning, service and engineering advice alongside the products.
What is the difference between SWISSCOOL Kft. and MOTOREX SWISSCOOL?
SWISSCOOL Kft. is the Hungarian distributor company, while MOTOREX SWISSCOOL is the water-miscible coolant family of the Swiss manufacturer MOTOREX, for example SWISSCOOL 8000.
The name is shared, the role is not: one is the product, the other is the company. The products are made by MOTOREX and distributed in Hungary by SWISSCOOL Kft.
Is FluidLYNX Control the same as MOTOREX FluidLynx?
No. FluidLYNX Control is a web application developed in-house by SWISSCOOL Kft., while MOTOREX FluidLynx is the automated fluid management equipment family of the Swiss manufacturer.
The two names are similar, but the developer and the product are different. Each has its own page on this site.
Which manufacturers' products does SWISSCOOL distribute?
SWISSCOOL Kft. works with three manufacturers: it distributes the industrial lubricants of the Swiss company MOTOREX, the mixing and care equipment of the German company HAMMA Umwelttechnik, and the water treatment and room air products of the Austrian company Easymetal.
In addition, it offers two software applications of its own for monitoring coolant: TrackYourFluid and FluidLYNX Control.
Coolant basics
What is coolant and what is it for?
Coolant (also called metalworking fluid) carries heat away during machining and forming on a machine tool, and its lubricating effect reduces friction between the tool and the workpiece.
There are two main types: water-miscible coolant, which is mixed with water and used as an emulsion, and cutting oil, which is used neat, without water. In some operations the fluid also flushes chips out of the working area and protects the workpiece against corrosion. Good cooling also improves machining accuracy; with an emulsion, much of the cooling comes from the evaporation of the water.
What is the difference between an emulsion and a cutting oil?
An emulsion is a water-miscible coolant that is mixed with water before use, while a cutting oil is used neat, without water.
MOTOREX SWISSCOOL emulsions are designed for drilling, turning, milling and grinding, on CNC machining centres with internal coolant supply as well as on conventional machine tools. MOTOREX SWISSCUT cutting oils are made for heavy-duty work and provide a large wear reserve even at extreme temperatures.
Which one suits your machining depends on the machine, the material and the process. Our engineering advice helps you decide.
How do I measure emulsion concentration with a refractometer?
Multiply the reading on the refractometer by the refractometer factor specified by the coolant manufacturer: the result is the concentration in per cent.
You will find the factor on the product's safety data sheet. Example: if the reading is 5.0 and the refractometer factor is 1.5, the concentration is 7.5%.
On the HAMMA MISCEO mixing device, however, you set the required concentration directly, without a factor: for a 7.5% target, set 7.5%.
What happens if the emulsion is too weak or too strong?
An emulsion that is too weak causes corrosion and tool wear; one that is too strong wastes concentrate and causes foaming.
That is why the concentration should be measured regularly and mixing left to an accurate mixing device. The HAMMA MISCEO holds the set ratio in 0.1% steps, without manual mixing or guesswork.
Why does the coolant smell?
One cause of the smell is tramp oil: it forms a continuous layer on the surface of the fluid, cuts it off from oxygen, and bacteria multiply underneath.
Tramp oil enters the fluid from the machine: slideway oil, hydraulic oil, lubricating oil. The layer is removed by an oil skimmer such as the HAMMA RAPID, while the HAMMA MIKRO micro aerator brings suspended matter to the surface.
What is tramp oil and how can it be removed?
Tramp oil is the oil that gets from the machine into the coolant (slideway oil, hydraulic oil, lubricating oil) and forms a layer on the surface of the fluid.
It is removed with an oil skimmer: the HAMMA RAPID continuously takes tramp oil, lime soaps and suspended matter off the surface. It is available as a belt, tube or disc skimmer; the right type depends on the size of the tank, the immersion depth and the access.
Does water quality matter when mixing coolant?
Yes: with clean mixing water the emulsion lasts longer, and better operational reliability lowers the total process cost.
In industrial quantities, clean mixing water is produced by a reverse osmosis water treatment system. Depending on the model, the Easymetal EASYRO delivers 2400, 4800 or 9600 litres of process water a day, with 95% desalination.
How long can an emulsion be used, and what shortens its life?
With regular maintenance, a good-quality emulsion usually lasts 10–15 months, and in a central system even several years.
Its service life is determined by the condition of the emulsion, not by the calendar. The most common causes that shorten it:
Tramp oil (hydraulic and slideway oil): collecting on the surface, it shuts out air and feeds bacteria.
Poor-quality water: water that is too hard or salty, or has a high chloride and sulphate content, destabilises the emulsion.
Poorly maintained concentration: too weak, and it becomes contaminated with bacteria and risks corrosion. Too strong, and it can irritate the skin and foams.
Microbiological contamination: typical signs are an unpleasant odour and a falling pH.
Chips and fine particles in the tank.
Standing time: at weekends or during shutdowns, emulsion that is not circulated deteriorates faster.
Foreign substances, such as cleaning agents, paint, or food and drink residues.
Why does the emulsion foam?
An emulsion most often foams because it is too strong, so the first thing to check is the concentration, with a refractometer.
An emulsion that is too strong contains more surfactants, so it foams more. Other causes:
Water that is too soft (below about 5 °dH): soft water is more prone to foaming in the first place.
Mechanical causes: high-pressure internal cooling, an oversized pump, a pump drawing in air, or too low a fluid level in the tank. Foaming can also be caused by returning emulsion falling into the tank from a height.
Contamination: cleaning agents and detergents, as well as some tramp oils, cause heavy foaming.
Fresh fill: new emulsion is more prone to foaming in the first few days.
A product not chosen for the job: high-pressure systems (above 70 bar) need a specifically low-foaming product.
We recommend antifoam only as a temporary measure. In the long run, the cause has to be removed.
MOTOREX products
Which MOTOREX product family is for what?
The MOTOREX Industrial Line consists of ten categories: SWISSCOOL is the water-miscible coolant, SWISSCUT the cutting oil, SWISSGRIND the grinding oil, and COOL and SPINDLE LUBE are for cooling and lubricating main spindles.
Further families: SWISSFORMING (forming oil), SWISSFINISH (dielectric for EDM), SUPERGLISS (slideway oil), INTACT and FLUID (corrosion protection and dewatering fluids), OPAL and SWISSCLEAN (cleaning fluids), and industrial sprays. The full product list by category is on the product families page.
How can I request a safety data sheet (SDS) for a MOTOREX product?
You can request the safety data sheet of MOTOREX Industrial Line products and of Easymetal henndrixx on the SDS form of this site, with the product name or item number, and we will send it by email.
You can ask for it in Hungarian, English or German, whichever the manufacturer has published. If you are not sure of the exact product name, what you see on the label is enough.
Which MOTOREX coolant is suitable for which material?
According to MOTOREX, the water-miscible SWISSCOOL family is suitable for all metallic materials and plastics, especially aluminium alloys; with SWISSCUT cutting oils, light and non-ferrous metals, high-alloy steel, titanium, implant steel and cobalt-chrome alloys can also be machined.
This is a recommendation at family level. We choose the product together with you, based on the material, the machining, the machine and the water quality.
Equipment
What is the HAMMA MISCEO for, and how do its three versions differ?
The HAMMA MISCEO is an electronically controlled mixing device that mixes water-miscible coolant at 0.5 to 15%, in 0.1% steps, with a capacity of 600–2000 litres per hour.
It switches off when the set number of litres is reached and detects an empty concentrate container. That is what the Standard version does. The Exclusive and the Premium add an input for overflow monitoring and emergency stop, an external information output and intelligent pressure control; the Premium also works with automatic MIN and MAX inputs.
Which viscosity do I set on the MISCEO?
On the MISCEO you set the kinematic viscosity of the concentrate at 20 °C in mm²/s (to DIN 51562), because accurate mixing is based on it.
Section 9 of the safety data sheet usually gives the viscosity at 40 °C; convert it to 20 °C with a factor of 2.8. Example: 45 mm²/s (40 °C) × 2.8 = 126 mm²/s (20 °C). Enter 126 under Viscosity in the MISCEO main menu.
When do you need an oil skimmer?
You need an oil skimmer when tramp oil, lime soaps or suspended matter collect on the surface of the coolant, because this layer ruins the fluid before its time.
The HAMMA RAPID removes the layer continuously: the coolant, the tools and the machine last longer, and unpleasant odours are prevented. Together with the MIKRO micro aerator, the fluid stays clean and biologically stable over the long term.
Does a coolant mixing device need a system separator?
Yes: the HAMMA MISCEO may only be operated with a system separator to DIN EN 1717, which protects the drinking water network from contamination by coolant.
The HAMMA system separator protects against coolant and other chemicals up to fluid category 4. Depending on local conditions, the manufacturer recommends a function check every six months and maintenance at least once a year, which means replacing the cartridge.
What is an industrial reverse osmosis water treatment system for?
The Easymetal EASYRO uses reverse osmosis to produce clean, residue-free process water for mixing coolant, CNC electrical discharge machining, parts cleaning, boiler feed water and laboratory water.
Its three models deliver 2400, 4800 or 9600 litres of water a day, depending on the quality and temperature of the raw water, with 95% desalination (up to 99.99% in combination with a polisher). It has two outputs: the conductance of output 1 is adjustable between 2 and 400 µS, output 2 is fixed.
What is the foxxboxx and what is it used for?
The foxxboxx is Easymetal's cold nebuliser: it produces an ultra-fine dry mist that leaves no wet residue, for room disinfection and humidification in production halls and public spaces.
For room disinfection it may only be used with henndrixx disinfectant, and for humidification with softened water. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
What is henndrixx disinfectant?
henndrixx is Easymetal's liquid, ready-to-use biocidal product for disinfecting surfaces and room air, with the foxxboxx cold nebuliser or by low-pressure spraying.
Its active substance is active chlorine released from hypochlorous acid; it is free of alcohol, aldehydes and phenols, and pH-neutral. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. The exact instructions for use, the contact time and the safety requirements are given on the product label and in the safety data sheet.
Troubleshooting
The HAMMA MISCEO reports a water shortage. What should I do?
If the MISCEO reports a water shortage, check that the tap on the supply line is open, that the water hose is not kinked, that the filter in the water inlet is not clogged, and that the mixer outlet is free.
If all of this is in order and the message persists, call SWISSCOOL service: +36 70 611 6004.
The HAMMA MISCEO reports a concentrate shortage. What should I do?
First check whether there is still concentrate in the container and whether the suction hose reaches it; the concentrate must be at least 15 °C.
Check that the suction hose connection is tight, that the hose is not kinked, and that the foot valve is in place and clean. The message can also be caused by too low a water flow (at least 600 l/h is needed), an incorrectly set viscosity or a dirty concentrate filter. If you cannot find the cause, call SWISSCOOL service: +36 70 611 6004.
What does the HAMMA MISCEO service message mean?
The service message appears when the MISCEO detects moisture inside; the device then cannot be operated any further, for its own protection.
The sensor is very sensitive and can also be triggered by temperature fluctuations. To clear the message: unplug the power supply, hold down the up and down arrow buttons at the same time, and plug the power back in. In the service menu, release the buttons and press Enter.
If the message still persists, there is moisture in the device and it needs maintenance. SWISSCOOL service can carry this out: +36 70 611 6004.
Why does the HAMMA RAPID not remove the oil?
First check whether there is still tramp oil on the fluid, and whether the skimmer belt reaches the fluid and the contamination.
If there is oil and the belt reaches it, a thin chemical film from the coolant has built up on the belt, which the scraper removes only slowly. In that case, take the belt out, wash it with household detergent and put it back; occasionally this has to be repeated several times. For help, call SWISSCOOL service: +36 70 611 6004.
Who repairs HAMMA and Easymetal equipment in Hungary?
SWISSCOOL Kft. services coolant systems and dosing equipment, for example the HAMMA MISCEO mixing device and the Easymetal EASYRO water treatment system.
SWISSCOOL installs the MISCEO, sets it up for your coolant, and services it afterwards. For service, call: +36 70 611 6004.
Service and ordering
Do you offer CNC machine cleaning and coolant changes?
Yes: SWISSCOOL Kft. cleans CNC machines and coolant systems with a coolant change, also independently of the products it distributes.
It also services coolant systems and dosing equipment, and offers engineering consulting: product selection, process optimisation, coolant technology.
How can I order filter paper for my CNC machine?
You can order filter paper with the filter paper calculator: enter four figures about the filter, and we will send you a quote for the right paper for your machine.
The four figures: the width of the filter paper in millimetres, the roll length in metres, the fineness in microns (filtration fineness is an important factor in choosing the right paper) and the number of rolls. The quote is prepared by a person. If you do not know the fineness, tell us the machine type and we will help.
How do you mix an emulsion correctly?
Always pour the concentrate into the water, never the other way round: in the reverse order an unstable, “mayonnaise-like” emulsion can form.
Use clean water, preferably of known hardness, ideally between 10 and 20 °dH.
Mix with a mixing device, not by hand. A simpler solution is a Venturi-type proportioner. The professional solution is the MISCEO digital mixing device: it holds the set concentration accurately and repeatably, and rules out the errors of manual mixing.
Check the concentration with a refractometer, and multiply the reading by the product's refractometer factor.
For topping up, do not use pure water or pure concentrate, but ready-mixed emulsion 0.5–1% weaker than the target value.
Before a new fill, clean and disinfect the machine with a system cleaner, because old contamination and bacterial colonies quickly ruin the new emulsion too.
Where does SWISSCOOL deliver, and how quickly?
SWISSCOOL Kft. delivers throughout Hungary; products in stock are delivered within 24–48 hours of ordering.
To order or request a quote, call: +36 70 611 6004.
Our own software
What is TrackYourFluid for?
TrackYourFluid is a multilingual software application developed in-house by SWISSCOOL Kft. for tracking coolants in machining companies.
A detailed feature list and a demo are available on request.
What does FluidLYNX Control do?
FluidLYNX Control is a SWISSCOOL Kft. web application for tracking the condition of a coolant system, with a built-in AI service technician chat.
The system data are available in one place, in the browser, with no installation. It is not the same as the MOTOREX FluidLynx equipment family.