title = "Cutting Fluid and Coolant System Maintenance"

content = """
Cutting fluids (coolants) serve multiple functions in metal machining at Ridgecrest Metalworks: cooling the cutting zone to reduce tool wear and thermal distortion, lubricating the chip-tool interface to reduce friction, flushing chips away from the cut, and protecting machined surfaces and the machine from corrosion. Coolant system maintenance directly affects tool life, surface finish, machined part quality, and operator health.

Coolant concentration management: Water-miscible coolants (semi-synthetic or synthetic) are mixed with water to a working concentration, typically 5–10 % coolant concentrate for machining steel. Concentration is checked daily or at each shift start using a refractometer. Coolant below the minimum concentration loses lubrication and biocide effectiveness; above the maximum concentration it becomes wasteful and may cause skin irritation and foaming. Concentration is adjusted by adding concentrate or clean water as measured.

pH monitoring: Coolant pH should be maintained between 8.5 and 9.5 for most semi-synthetic and synthetic products. Low pH (below 8.5) indicates biological activity (bacteria decompose the coolant and produce acidic metabolites) or carbon dioxide absorption. Low pH promotes corrosion of machine surfaces and part surfaces. pH is measured daily with a calibrated pH meter or test strips.

Tramp oil management: Hydraulic oil, lubricants, and way oil leak into the coolant sump continuously during machining. Tramp oil reduces coolant effectiveness, promotes bacterial growth, and can cause foam and misting. Tramp oil is skimmed from the coolant surface using a belt or disk skimmer. High tramp oil levels require coolant system cleaning and recharge.

Biological contamination control: Bacteria and fungi degrade coolant rapidly, producing foul odor ("Monday morning smell"), slime, and pH drop. Biocide dosing (where approved by the product data sheet) suppresses biological growth. High bacterial counts (confirmed by dip slide culture) may require sump cleanout and recharge. Operators must not add food, drink, or other organic materials to coolant sumps.

Sump cleaning: At defined intervals (typically quarterly or when coolant condition degrades beyond recovery), the machine sump is drained, cleaned of accumulated chips and sludge, rinsed, and recharged with fresh coolant mixed to the correct concentration. Spent coolant is collected and disposed of as regulated waste — coolant must not be discharged to drain without treatment, as it contains emulsified oil, metals, and biocides.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
