Electrostatic Cooling System as Environmentally Conscious Cooling Technique: A Review on Its Potentials for Machining Processes

Proceedings of the
International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Development for Future Generations 2012
(ICUMI2012) 12 July 2012, Makassar, Indonesia

Electrostatic Cooling System as Environmentally Conscious Cooling Technique: A Review on Its Potentials for Machining Processes.


by: Ahmad Zubair Sultan1, Safian Sharif2, Denni Kurniawan3
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
2 Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai,
Malaysia
*Corresponding Author. Email: safian@fkm.utm.my

Abstract
The use of excessive cutting fluids in machining has significantly improved the
productivity and quality of machined parts. However, its negative effects on the
manufacturing cost, health, and environment raise the need for alternative cooling
technique. Electrostatic cooling technique, in which ionized airflow or very fine droplets
of lubricant or coolant are generated through electrostatic charging, has positive notion
on the environment, health, and safety. This mini review paper provides overview on the
assessment of electrostatic cooling system in terms of machining responses, towards
proposing its use as an environmentally conscious cooling technique.

Keywords: Electrostatic cooling system, environmentally conscious, machining
processes

Concluding Remarks
This study reviews the performance of electrostatic cooling technique in
machining of steel and titanium alloy. In terms of tool life, cutting force, geometrical
accuracy, and surface roughness, this environmentally conscious cooling technique
outperforms dry and conventional wet cooling techniques. Literatures on its use for other
workpiece materials are still lacking. Considering its advantages, research on machining
of other worpiece materials using electrostatic cooling system is worth pursuing in
search of alternative cooling technique.

 Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE),
the Government of South Sulawesi, Indonesia and Research Management Center, UTM
for the financial support to this work through the FRGS funding vote number 78682