In the metalworking industry, the management of metal chips and cutting oil is a key activity to ensure production continuity. Every industry, large or small, has to deal every day with a large amount of scrap generated by machining operations: steel, aluminum, brass, cast iron, emulsions and coolants. These materials, if not properly managed with oil and chip suction systems, can cause damage to machine tools, increase costs and reduce productivity.
This guide delves into:
- Why metal swarf extraction is strategic and what risks are avoided,
- How modern industrial vacuum cleaners work,
- What benefits they bring to production,
- The next innovations in oil and chip extraction.
Why is oil and chip extraction essential in machining?
Any machining process, such as turning, milling, drilling or grinding, produces a lot of metal chips and requires the continuous use of coolant lubricants. During the process, swarf and oil mix, forming a dense compound that is difficult to handle without suitable equipment. When these materials accumulate in machine tool tanks, the space fills up quickly and pumps are likely to get stuck, causing unplanned stoppages and slowdowns for the entire department.
The constant presence of swarf within the coolant also worsens machining quality: if not removed properly, swarf can scratch the workpiece, reduce accuracy and increase scrap. Over time, this mix of dirty oil and metal residue accelerates wear on pumps, tools and internal circuits, resulting in higher maintenance costs.
Another important aspect concerns the durability of coolants. If they are not filtered well, they quickly lose their properties and must be replaced more often, with both economic and environmental impacts. The safety of the work environment is also affected: wet floors, slippery surfaces and scattered residues increase the risk of accidents and make the department less safe.
For all these reasons, equipping oneself with a professional oil and chip vacuum system is no longer just an option, but a necessity for any workshop that wants to maintain high productivity, reduce downtime and ensure quality machining.
How does an industrial vacuum cleaner work?
An industrial chip vacuum is a machine designed to simultaneously vacuum, separate and handle oil and chips. Unlike ordinary vacuum cleaners, these units have dedicated metalworking components and are designed to work continuously. Dupuy solutions, for example, have a professional internal filtration and separation system that simplifies maintenance activities in mechanical departments.
Simultaneous suction of solids and liquids
Dupuy oil and chip vacuums vacuum together:
- metal shavings,
- emulsions,
- cutting oils,
- Sludge and mixed residues.
Once inside, the material is immediately separated to avoid clogging and to ensure orderly handling.
Internal separation of materials
The system is based on three elements:
- Gridded basket
Holds metal shavings. - Lower liquid chamber
Collects filtered oil free of solids. - Dedicated filters
Prevent the passage of the smallest impurities. This process makes it possible to work even on large volumes without the risk of overloading or clogging. - Oil recovery and recycling via booster pumps
Many Dupuy vacuum cleaners include a booster pump that sends the filtered coolant back to the machine tool.
The benefits are immediate:
- Less oil waste,
- Reducing disposal costs,
- Increased process stability,
- Bettertool protection.
This feature makes it possible to talk about sustainable management of cooling lubricants, which is also a very important issue today from an environmental perspective.
Why do industrial vacuum cleaners improve productivity?
The use of industrial vacuum cleaners can significantly increase the productivity of mechanical departments because it ensures a more stable workflow and reduces all those interruptions that often slow down production.
When chips and coolants are removed in a continuous and orderly manner, machine tools work better, without risking clogging or sudden blockages. Workpiece surfaces are cleaner and more precise because scrap does not get trapped in critical areas during machining.
A dedicated oil and swarf suction system also keeps internal tanks cleaner, prolonging pump life and reducing extraordinary maintenance. A tidier and safer working environment, without slippery floors or residue accumulation, improves operator comfort and reduces time lost to urgent cleaning. In addition, recovery of filtered coolants saves on fluid costs and allows operators to work with more consistent quality over time.
All these aspects, added together, make industrial vacuum cleaners a solution that not only optimizes residue management, but also contributes directly to the production continuity and competitiveness of the entire workshop.
Discover Dupuy’s complete range of oil and chip suction
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- Compact vacuum cleaners for small workshops,
- High-capacity systems for multi-shift departments,
- Vacuum units for handling large quantities of chips.
Each model is designed to improve productivity and reduce operating costs. For example, the Chipvac400, which we discuss in the video below, is equipped with a manual filter cleaning system consisting of a vertically moving shaker. This allows the operator to clean the filter effortlessly and at any time, prolonging the life of the filter and preventing a reduction in suction performance.
Future challenges and trends in oil extraction
The engineering sector is changing rapidly. Companies are looking for increasingly automated and intelligent systems related to Industry 4.0.
In the near future, technologies that enable:
- Monitor coolant levels,
- Analyze oil status in real time,
- Automating the emptying of tanks,
- Reduce waste,
- Optimize internal chip logistics,
- Integrate suction machines with management software.
Industrial vacuum cleaners are already aligned with these trends because they offer an automatic separation and recovery process.
Do you want an industrial vacuum cleaner for oils and chips? Request a technical consultation
If you want to figure out which vacuum cleaner is best for your department, we can offer you:
- A free technical analysis,
- Advice on filtration, capacity, and maintenance,
- Support in choosing the most efficient solution.
Fill out the form at the bottom of the page to contact us, and get started so you can optimize your oil and chip intake.
We are ready to help you boost the productivity of your workshop.
