Gear hobbing machines can generate persistent cutting-oil or coolant mist during continuous gear production. The rotating hob, workpiece, cutting fluid delivery, temperature, cycle time, enclosure, and chip handling all influence the contaminant released inside the machine.
An oil mist collector draws contaminated air from the enclosed hobbing process and separates suspended liquid before it escapes through doors, loading openings, conveyors, seals, or other gaps. Collector selection should be based on the actual machine and production cycle rather than the machine name alone.
Why gear-hobbing mist conditions vary
Gear size, module, hob speed, workpiece speed, material, cutting fluid, delivery pressure, cycle time, and operating hours affect the mist load. Neat cutting oil can generate fine mist and, under demanding conditions, visible smoke. Water-miscible coolant can produce a different droplet and contamination load.
Two hobbing machines with similar enclosure dimensions may therefore need different extraction arrangements. Enclosure size is one input, not a universal sizing rule.
Useful application information includes:
- Machine manufacturer and model
- Gear and hobbing process description
- Enclosure dimensions and known openings
- Neat cutting oil or water-miscible coolant
- Hob and workpiece speeds where available
- Fluid delivery method and pressure where known
- Typical cycle time and operating hours
- Visible mist, smoke, vapor, or particulate
- Door-opening and loading frequency
- Chip-conveyor and other leakage openings
- Available mounting structure and service space
- Proposed inlet and drainage route
- Available voltage and frequency
Review representative production
Mist conditions should be assessed during a representative hobbing cycle. An idle machine or short trial may not show the load created during continuous production, high-speed cutting, heavy oil delivery, or extended unattended operation.
Where practical, observe the cycle that produces the highest visible mist or smoke. Photographs of the enclosure, machine top, doors, chip conveyor, fluid area, and available mounting space help establish a practical installation concept.
Capture mist without interfering with the process
The inlet should help maintain useful negative pressure inside the enclosure without interfering with the hob, workpiece, loading system, doors, guarding, chip removal, or machine maintenance.
A short and practical inlet route can reduce avoidable resistance. Sharp bends, collapsed flexible hose, restricted connections, poor sealing, and an unsuitable inlet position can reduce effective capture even when nominal airflow appears sufficient.
Replacement air enters through door seals, conveyors, cable passages, loading openings, and other gaps. These paths affect airflow through the enclosure and should be reviewed during installation and commissioning.
Compare airflow options without selecting from airflow alone
TINME currently lists four centrifugal CNC oil mist collector sizes in its 50 Hz product data:
| Model | Nominal airflow at 50 Hz | Motor power | Inlet diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM-250A | 600 m3/h | 0.25 kW | 125 mm |
| TM-370A | 1,000 m3/h | 0.37 kW | 150 mm |
| TM-750A | 1,400 m3/h | 0.75 kW | 150 mm |
| TM-1100A | 2,000 m3/h | 1.1 kW | 150 mm |
These figures help compare the range but are not a gear-hobbing sizing formula. Final selection should consider the enclosure, cutting fluid, mist generation, cycle, openings, inlet route, installation conditions, and available power together. Exact 60 Hz airflow values require confirmation.
Consider oil loading, chips, and process contamination
Hobbing applications may involve continuous cutting-oil delivery and process contamination. Chips and coarse contamination should not be allowed to enter the collector connection unchecked. The proposed inlet and any protection arrangement should be reviewed for the actual machine.
If the process involves dry cutting, combustible material, unusual chemicals, high temperatures, sparks, or another hazard, qualified site personnel and relevant equipment suppliers must assess the application. A general oil-mist page does not replace a formal risk assessment.
Plan mounting and service access
Depending on the confirmed machine structure and workshop layout, the collector may be considered for machine-top mounting, a side or wall bracket, or a floor stand. Machine-top installation should not be assumed to be acceptable without reviewing the machine manufacturer’s requirements and available support.
Allow safe access for:
- Electrical isolation
- Collector covers and internal filters
- Optional post-filter replacement
- Inlet, hose, clamps, and seals
- Drainage inspection
- Machine doors and service panels
- Hob, workholding, loading, and chip-handling maintenance
Centrifugal separation and optional post-filtration
TINME collectors use a rotating separation stage to coalesce suspended droplets. Separated liquid moves toward the drainage path, while the remaining airflow passes through a multilayer filter.
For a confirmed application involving micromist, smoke, or vapor, an optional HEPA post-filter may be reviewed. The supplied TINME specification states performance up to 99.97% at 0.3 micrometers with this option. It does not state an H13 classification, and the figure should not be presented as the efficiency of every standard configuration.
Plan drainage and maintenance
Separated liquid needs an unobstructed drainage route without traps, backflow, or leakage. Whether collected fluid can be returned to the hobbing machine depends on compatibility, contamination, the fluid system, and the site’s approved procedure.
Inspection frequency depends on oil loading, process contamination, operating hours, inlet condition, drainage, and filtration configuration. Avoid promising one universal replacement interval.
- Inlet and connecting duct
- Clamps, seals, and visible leakage
- Drainage path and collected-liquid condition
- Internal filtration stages
- Optional HEPA post-filter
- Mounting hardware and vibration condition
- Monitoring indication where an A+ model is used
A and A+ monitoring versions
TINME A+ models add filter-condition monitoring to the corresponding A model. The listed airflow, motor, inlet, weight, dimensions, filtration structure, and installation options remain the same for each A/A+ pair.
Monitoring can support maintenance decisions for continuous hobbing production, but it does not replace inspection, safe isolation, contaminant assessment, or an application-specific maintenance plan.
What to send TINME
- Gear-hobbing machine manufacturer and model
- Enclosure dimensions and known openings
- Gear and hobbing-process information
- Cutting-oil or coolant information
- Typical cutting cycle and operating hours
- Photographs of the enclosure and installation space
- Observed mist, smoke, vapor, or particulate condition
- Chip-conveyor and loading-opening details
- Available voltage and frequency
- Proposed mounting, inlet, and drainage route
Send Your Gear Hobbing Machine Details Compare TINME Models
FAQ
Can a collector be selected from the hobbing-machine model alone?
No. The model helps identify the enclosure and layout, but the cutting fluid, process, mist load, operating cycle, inlet route, openings, and installation conditions also matter.
Does continuous production affect collector selection?
Yes. Long cycles, extended shifts, cutting-oil delivery, and limited time for enclosure clearing can increase the application load and affect maintenance planning.
Can chips enter the collector inlet?
The inlet arrangement should minimize the entry of chips and coarse contamination. The actual hobbing process and machine layout must be reviewed before an inlet or protection arrangement is proposed.
Is optional HEPA filtration always required?
No. The filtration configuration depends on the confirmed mist, smoke, vapor, and contamination conditions. A post-filter does not replace source capture or application review.
Can separated cutting oil be returned to the machine?
The collector provides a drainage path, but any return arrangement depends on oil compatibility, contamination, the machine fluid system, and the site’s approved procedure.