Today’s EDM machines are typically very safe; however, in spite of safety features fires on sinker EDMs still happen. These fires, coupled with the ready supply of flammable liquids in EDM environments, can go from a small spark to a devastating fire in moments. The key to protecting against these fires is fast, yet reliable, detection and suppression that is not prone to false discharges.
Fire suppression is an important addition to your systems, and many EDM machines come with fire suppression equipment installed at the factory. For those machines that are not protected there are several systems on the market that can be added. When researching fire suppression systems five items to look for are:
1) Will both the detection and agent delivery work as designed regardless of the position of the ram? Units that mount on one side of the ram may not detect a fire starting on the other side of the ram or may not deliver agent effectively to properly suppress the growing fire.
2) Can the system interface with the machine controls to shut down the machine and interface with a local alarm or a paging system? If there is a fire, quick shutdown of the unit will help fight re-ignition of the fire. The interface will ensure that a problem will be quickly rectified and that the machine is returned to service in a timely manner, helping to avoid missed deadlines and to optimize production.
3) Be certain to select a fire suppressing agent that will effectively suppress the fire, but not contaminate the machine’s oil. Replacement of oil costs money and time. Use of clean agent alternatives like CO2 will effectively fight the fire and not add contaminates to the oil should a discharge occur.
4) Use detection that will be fast, but reliable. Some optical type detection systems will operate quickly, but may be prone to false discharges due to other processes in the factory—sometimes as simple as a lit cigarette or a torch. False discharges can interrupt produc-tion and also disable the fire suppression system until the unit can be reset, leaving a machine unprotected. Alternatively, sprinkler-head type fire suppression units frequently require a great deal of heat build-up before activating, potentially delaying suppression long enough for damage to be done to the unit or for the fire to spread beyond the machine.
5) Where possible, ensure that the system uses a minimal amount of metal near the oil’s surface. With the electrical dis-charge from these machines, less metal in the portions of the fire suppression that are near the oil is very desirable.
While fire suppression is a critical part of a shop’s safety equipment, it does not make up for improper use of these machines. Always be certain to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings for the operation of the machine. Never circumvent or disable safety features on a machine regardless of the presence of a fire suppression system.
It is impossible for those who have never seen one of these fires to fully appreciate the speed at which they grow or the danger they present. Following proper maintenance and use procedures on these machines coupled with the added safety of a fire suppression system can help ensure that a shop will not feel the effects of one of these machine, and frequently business, crippling events.
Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) uses a controlled thermal erosion process to remove metal from a workpiece to create a desired design. These machines are designed to be as safe as possible from the risk of fire, but unfortunately, accidents happen, and you want to ensure operators and equipment are unharmed. The key to protecting against fire is fast and reliable detection and suppression that is not prone to false discharges.
What are the Methods of Fire Suppression for EDM?
The two most popular methods of suppressing fires for EDM are automatic fire suppression systems and traditional extinguishers. The automatic systems are, in most cases, more efficient and safer, but let’s have a closer look.
With traditional methods, like a handheld extinguisher, the operator must locate and grab the extinguisher, plug the pin, and aim the extinguisher at the flame. This can be an extremely dangerous task as the fire is being fueled with oxygen. This can cause the fire to grow exponentially. To mitigate this risk, the operator has to manually shut down the machine beforehand. While this process is a good safety measure, it wastes valuable time that could be spent putting out the fire. Only a small amount of time is needed for a fire to become uncontrollable. Even an additional 10 seconds is too much to pass for an EDM fire.fire-suppression-cylinder
How does an automatic fire suppression system work? With an automatic fire suppression system, an operator does not need to get near the machine during a fire. These systems react to a rapid rise in heat or other traces of fire without any human intervention. These systems contain the same general components:
Detection elements, such as pneumatic tubing or a smoke detector
Suppression agent cylinder
Pressure switch (optional)
Manual release (optional)
For EDM machines, the agent of choice of CO2, which is nonconductive and noncorrosive. This means that while they put out the fire, the machine will not be harmed.
EDM, Dust Collector, and CNC machine fire protection such as fire suppression systems provides value for both the operators and machines, such as:
Earlier Detection: Human reaction time will never be able to beat automatic software inside these systems. These systems are able to detect a fire within seconds, extinguishing it before it grows too large to control, which minimizes damage to the machine and operators.
Less Risk: By not requiring the operator to get involved in the suppression process, you significantly reduce the risk of injury to any and all employees. There is also less risk involved with the machines as well. During the height of an intense moment like a fire, human error is commonplace. A well-intentioned employee could accidentally make matters worse.
Customizable: You have the ability to tailor automatic systems to your needs. CO2 and gaseous clean agents are perfect for areas with a high density of electrical components. Liquid chemical agents could then be utilized in most other places.
What is the Most Effective Fire Suppression System?
There are two main automatic fire suppression system types: non-electrical and electrical. One is not better than the other. The decision will come down to which type best fits your building and operation area. The main difference between the two is that the electrical systems have an electronic actuator (the non-electrical systems work just as well at suppression, just operating in a different manner). This means a signal is sent to the electronic device to activate the system as soon as it senses something is wrong.
We have seen a spurt in the incidents of fire in a EDM machine. No doubt, technology has evolved over time, and manufacturers globally have been addressing the fire risk in their machines! But few situations
Fire in a EDM machine can occur instantly and without warning. A hot metal chip, a tool crash, or even a spark of static electricity can ignite the petroleum-based cutting oils used in many of these machines. Oil-based machine fires produce high heat and dense black smoke which makes it difficult to control using handheld fire extinguishers.
A machine fire has the potential to quickly spread through mist collectors and along electrical lines and ducting to the building’s structure with catastrophic results. Even when an automatic sprinkler system activates, the cost of water damage often far exceeds the cost of the fire damage; and indirect expenses, such as business interruption, downtime, and lost customers can be many times as costly.
The solution
We can use an automatic fire detection and suppression system for micro environments. it deploys a patented and UL approved pneumatic detection tube within the hazard area to be protected. In case of a fire, the tube bursts at its hottest point, there by activating the system and discharging the extinguishing gas directly on the fire, thru strategically placed nozzles within the compartment to be protected.
That kind of system can be fitted to virtually any EDM machine and will automatically detect and extinguish a fire inside the machine before it can cause appreciable damage. Upon detection of a fire, the system discharges either CO2 or “clean” extinguishing agents such as Dupont FM-200 or 3M Novec 1230 fire protection fluid. These gaseous extinguishing agents are non-conductive, non-corrosive, leave no residue on the machine or work place, and will not contaminate expensive metal working oils or fluids.
At the heart of every professional system is the unique, pressurized red Detection Tubing. This proprietary polymer tubing is actually a linear pneumatic heat sensor that ruptures when exposed to a fire’s radiant heat. The flexible detection tubing can be easily routed in and around the hazard areas of a EDM machine, providing fast and reliable fire detection in areas that other detection methods cannot reach.
Detection at source
Because That kind of system can detect and suppresse a fire at its source – inside the machine – the system reacts far faster than traditional fire suppression methods, and reduces or eliminates the collateral damages that they cause. In many cases a machine can be returned to service just minutes after a fire.
Automatic fire suppression systems are an excellent tool for suppressing fires within EDM machinery. Most EDM machinery comes at a considerable investment to your facility, and the equipment used in most manufacturing, machining, and industrial applications has a high potential for flammability, thanks to hot moving internal components and flammable substances like oil and gas. Automatic fire suppression systems provide the necessary assurance for heavy machinery like this.
Actuating without human intervention, these systems are able to sense and suppress fires the minute they occur, putting flames out at their source. Because automatic fire suppression systems are one of the most effective ways to keep your heavy machinery safe, here’s what you need to know about how they work, and a few of the most common heavy machinery applications for automatic fire suppression systems.
Understanding Automatic Fire Suppression Systems
There are many options for fire suppression systems, from common water and mist sprinkler systems to more advanced protection options like clean agent, dry chemical, and gaseous agent fire suppression systems. Any system can be an automatic fire suppression system, so long as the system:
Can react to a fire situation without human intervention
Contains a:
Detection element (typically pneumatic tubing or a smoke detector)
Suppression agent cylinder
Many automatic fire suppression systems also contain a pressure switch and/or a manual release, for added levels of fire protection. Pressure switches function to shut down any machines in the event that a fire is detected. Manual releases are typically included for applications that require a certain level of redundancy. They allow a human operator to release the fire suppression agent into the enclosure.
Most generally, an automatic fire suppression system is any fire suppression system that can be actuated without human intervention. Beneficial for a variety of applications, automatic fire suppression systems are often able to start suppressing fires before a human operator could even detect signs of a problem. One application where automatic fire suppression systems prove particularly useful is in protecting EDM machinery:
Protecting EDM Machinery with Automatic Fire Suppression Systems
Some EDM machinery is expensive and useful, but it can also be hazardous. Most EDM machinery features a number of moving parts, along with substances like oil and gas that are highly flammable. Protecting EDM machinery is important, both in keeping personnel working around that machinery safe and in protecting your investment in that EDM machinery.
fire suppression is a critical part of a shop’s safety equipment, it does not make up for improper use of these machines. Always be certain to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings for the operation of the machine. Never circumvent or disable safety features on a machine regardless of the presence of a fire suppression system.
It is impossible for those who have never seen one of these fires to fully appreciate the speed at which they grow or the danger they present. Following proper maintenance and use procedures on these machines coupled with the added safety of a fire suppression system can help ensure that a shop will not feel the effects of one of these machine, and frequently business, crippling events.
Firetrace is an automatic fire detection and suppression system for micro environments. Firetrace deploys a patented and UL approved pneumatic detection tube within the hazard area to be protected. In case of a fire, the tube bursts at its hottest point, there by activating the system and discharging the extinguishing gas directly on the fire, thru strategically placed nozzles within the compartment to be protected.
Firetrace system can be fitted to virtually any CNC or EDM machine and will automatically detect and extinguish a fire inside the machine before it can cause appreciable damage. Upon detection of a fire, the system discharges either CO2 or “clean” extinguishing agents such as Dupont FM-200 or 3M Novec 1230 fire protection fluid. These gaseous extinguishing agents are non-conductive, non-corrosive, leave no residue on the machine or work place, and will not contaminate expensive metal working oils or fluids.
Many people have handheld extinguishers in their machine shops to combat CNC machine fires. Here are some factors to consider when making the choice between a fire extinguisher and an automatic fire suppression system:
With a handheld extinguisher, the operator must open the machine to get to the flame. Opening the machine will fuel the fire with more oxygen, which might cause the fire to grow.
The operator must manually shut down the machine before a handheld extinguisher can be used, wasting valuable firefighting time. Even an additional 10 seconds can be enough time for the fire to become uncontrollable.
If an operator fails to shut down the machine, the oil will continue feeding the fire.
If there is not an operator in the shop or monitoring the machine (e.g., running lights out or operator is on a break), there is nobody to extinguish the fire.
As the fire grows the handheld fire extinguishers become less effective.
The best way to protect against EDM fires is to install a fast and reliable automatic fire detection and suppression system, which many shop owners consider mandatory. Several EDM manufacturers agree, which
is why many EDM machines now come equipped with automatic suppression systems as standard equipment or as an available option. If your EDM machine does not have an automatic fire suppression system, you
can purchase an aftermarket system that can be installed on any new or previously installed machine.
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