Why Oil Skimmers for CNC Machines Are Important 11Jul

Why Oil Skimmers for CNC Machines Are Important

When it comes to offering services in the metalworking industry, it is critically important to have trusted and reliable oil skimmers for CNC machines. Not only do they play a critical role in waste minimization, but they also help to improve the quality of the product.


Without using oil skimmers for CNC machines, you run the risk of the development of skin rashes, harmful bacteria, and even fluid leaks. To avoid these problems, you should select top-quality oil skimmers for your machines. There are several reasons why these parts are so important.

What Are Oil Skimmers for CNC Machines?

Oil skimmers are a tool that is attached to CNC machines in order to significantly enhance the purity of coolants and waters that are used by removing hydrocarbons, grease, and tramp oil while the machine is in use.

There are multiple sizes and shapes available for oil skimmers. Some oil skimmers require you to wait a certain amount of time for all of the oil contaminations to be removed. Other oil skimmers are self-propelled, allowing you to continue using the machine without worry. 

How Do Oil Skimmers for CNC Machines Work?

Oil skimmers for CNC machines use chains or belts in order to make the process of collecting tramp oil to be removed easier. Once the belt pulls the oil away from the work surface, it is pulled into a separator tank where it is stored. This ensures that the water or coolant is separated from the oil. The oil can then be eliminated through a port as the water and coolant return to the tank to be reused.

Why Do the Oils Need to Be Removed?

Tramp oils can cause significant problems with the fluids that are used for metalworking. Some of the problems associated with these oils include:

  • A notable decrease in the life of the tool.
  • A substantial decrease in the life of the coolant.
  • Increased growth of bacteria.
  • A decrease in the amount of time a parts washer bath lasts.
  • Increased levels of mist and smoke in the air while working on projects.
  • An increased risk of dermatitis and other skin irritations.

Due to all of the problems associated with tramp oils, it is important to take proactive measures to have them pulled away from the system in order to prevent this problem from happening. This is one of the reasons why oil skimmers for CNC machines are so important.

How to Choose a Good Oil Skimmer

Choosing a good oil skimmer is incredibly important. You should be able to select a skimmer that does not require frequent maintenance. The skimmer should also not be overly complicated to install. There are several qualities that ensure the oil skimmers for CNC machines that you select are good. These qualities include:


  • They are cost-efficient.
  • They are easy to install.
  • They are safe and easy to clean.
  • They are durable and long-lasting.
  • They have a simple process for eliminating oil. 
  • The process of removing trapped oil is effective.

In some cases, oil skimmers can be portable. Oil skimmers that are considered to be of good quality are those that continue to work as they are intended without requiring lots of intervention. They should be clog-resistant and work well at removing oil particles from the coolant or the water that is used on the CNC machine.

There are some qualities commonly associated with oil skimmers that are of top-tier quality. These include being UV resistant, heat and corrosion resistant, lightweight and have the ability to remove more than 1.3 gallons of oil contaminants every hour while in use.

An effective oil skimmer can significantly impact the production processes for your business. It can also decrease the amount of water or coolant that is wasted and help improve the overall quality of the products that you offer and your work environment.

Why Are Oil Skimmers Important?

There are several benefits that come with the use of oil skimmers for CNC machines. Some of the key benefits of investing in quality oil skimmers for your CNC machines include the following.

Reducing Costs

Oil skimmers have the ability to reduce the costs of using your machine. Using skimmers reduces the need of having to spend endless amounts of money on disposing of waste and new lubricants. It also reduces the costs associated with machine downtime. An effective oil skimmer can also help to prevent issues from arising, some of which can be incredibly expensive to mitigate.

Help Prevent Injuries

Having quality oil skimmers can help to reduce hazardous work conditions by eliminating bacteria growth. Decreasing or eliminating the growth of bacteria can reduce the chances of workers suffering rashes, skin irritations, respiratory problems, and even eye irritations as a result of using the equipment.

Prevents Contamination

The oil that sits on top of water used on CNC machines can grow bacteria, which can have an unpleasant smell and cause a lot of problems for users. The solids that collect on the bottom of the tank are also problematic. Skimmers that remove the oil and grease from the coolant tank substantially reduce the chance of bacteria growing and prevent other problems related to contamination.

Improved Quality of Parts

Removing the hydrocarbons from the water-based machine lubricants and the water can have a significant impact on the quality of the finished product. By using oil skimmers, CNC machine tools will run much more effectively, dramatically improving the quality of the end product. This can have a dramatic impact on overall customer satisfaction and safety.

In addition to all of these positive benefits, oil skimmers can also extend the life of the fluids that are used for metalworking. This is made possible by the process of removing any potential sources of contamination and purifying the colon and water. This can have an overall impact on your budget and your company’s bottom line.

See How Oil Skimmers From IndustryNest Can Help

IndustryNest offers top-quality oil skimmers for CNC machines that you can depend on. If you are interested in seeing how our parts can make a difference, feel free to reach out to our team today.