Tramp oil skimmer for machine coolant · Belt, disk, tube or coalescer, removal rate, reach, temperature limit, wipers
An oil skimmer lifts floating tramp oil off a coolant sump on a moving oil-attracting belt, disk or tube and wipes it into a container. Ask three things first: which media suits your sump shape and fluid level, how much oil it must remove per hour, and what temperature and chemistry the media and wipers must survive.
Mechanical surface skimmers (belt, disk, tube) for machine-tool coolant sumps and parts washers, with a note on coalescers. Oil-spill recovery skimmers for open water, oil mist collectors and oil-water separators for wastewater plants are outside this page.
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01
Zebra Skimmers describes a belt skimmer as a continuous oleophilic belt of polyurethane, polymer or stainless steel hanging from a drive pulley into the sump, with wipers scraping the oil into a discharge spout; it notes a belt drops in from a single mount point and tolerates fluctuating levels. A disk skimmer uses a rotating disk — "usually 8 to 24 inches in diameter" in Zebra's words — that must stay roughly half submerged, so its pickup falls when the level drops; Zebra notes standard plastic disks fail in high-temperature uses such as heated parts washers, where stainless steel disks are used. [5]
Zebra advises a coalescer instead of, or in addition to, a skimmer when the tramp oil is emulsified into the coolant, because a skimmer only captures the floating layer, and for multi-machine central tanks. Abanaki states that skimmers work on the differences in surface tension and specific gravity between oil and water, using oleophilic media that carry oil out of the fluid to be scraped into disposal containers. [5] [2]
Abanaki lists the sources of tramp oil as machine way lubricants, hydraulic leaks, spindle oils and greases, plus oil-based corrosion-prevention coatings on stock metal; it says oil floating on idle sumps prevents oxygen exchange, which can promote anaerobic bacteria that generate hydrogen sulfide, and that oil in coolant reduces cooling and can smoke on hot tools. [1] [2]
Give the supplier the sump dimensions and access opening, fluid level range, coolant type and concentration, temperature and pH, expected oil load, required reach, supply voltage and frequency, mounting surface, and whether the oil is floating or emulsified.
02
Abanaki's selection guide says capacity should be based on the maximum oil to be removed in the shortest available time: 200 gallons in 24 hours averages about 8.3 gallons per hour, but if it arrives in one eight-hour shift the removal rate may need to be three times that; as a rule of thumb it specifies about twice the maximum capacity expected under normal conditions. It advises against a polymer belt above 160 °F and that wiper blades must also withstand the temperature and pH. [3]
Abanaki's Mighty Disk tramp oil skimmer is listed at 1-1/2 gph of medium-weight oil for models SMD-12, SMD-18 and SMD-24 (12, 18 and 24 in disks), a 12 in disk with a 4 in reach, a 1/2 in plastic disk rated to 160 °F, plastic wipers, a 110 V 1-phase 60 Hz continuous-duty fan-cooled motor, a weight under 10 pounds, and options of a 24-hour timer, decanter and stainless steel models. [4]
Editorial calculation: 1-1/2 gph ≈ 5.7 L/h; 12, 18 and 24 in ≈ 305, 457 and 610 mm; 4 in reach ≈ 102 mm; 160 °F ≈ 71 °C; 10 lb ≈ 4.5 kg; 8.3 gph ≈ 31 L/h. [4] [3]
03
The supplier linked to this page lists oil skimmers for CNC machine coolant; its card links to the page reviewed.
Ask any supplier for the skimming media and its material, removal rate on your oil, reach, temperature and pH limits of media and wipers, motor rating and voltage, mounting method, and spare belt, disk and wiper availability.
04
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Belt, disk or tube | Oleophilic media that lift oil. [2] [5] | Type; material; size or reach. |
| Wipers | Scrape oil off the media. [5] [3] | Material; temperature and pH rating. |
| Trough or spout | Carries oil to the container. [5] [4] | Outlet; drip protection. |
| Drive motor | Turns the media. [4] | Voltage; phase; frequency; duty. |
| Mount and options | Fixes the unit to the sump. [4] | Flat surface; timer; decanter. |
05
An oil skimmer quotation needs values for your sump. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Rate (m³/h) | The reviewed skimmer is rated by oil removed (gph); a coalescer recirculates coolant. [4] [5] | Rate if pumped. |
| Oil Removal Capacity (L/h) | e.g. 1-1/2 gph ≈ 5.7 L/h (Mighty Disk); size at about twice expected load. [4] [3] | Rate on your oil. |
| Disc Diameter (mm) | e.g. 12/18/24 in ≈ 305/457/610 mm. [4] | Diameter; reach. |
| Motor Power (kW) | Not stated in the reviewed sources. | Rating. |
| Supply Voltage (V AC) | e.g. 110 V, 1 ph, 60 Hz. [4] | Your supply. |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | e.g. plastic disk to 160 °F ≈ 71 °C. [4] [3] | Media and wiper limits. |
| Ingress Protection | Not stated in the reviewed sources. | IP rating. |
| Material (SS) | Stainless steel belts and disks are offered. [5] [4] | Media and frame material. |
| Weight (kg) | e.g. under 10 lb ≈ 4.5 kg. [4] | Weight. |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | Must fit the sump access. [5] | Drawing. |
06
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Sump: [dimensions; access opening; level range] Coolant: [type; temperature; pH] Oil: [load per shift; floating or emulsified] Media: [belt; disk; tube; reach; material] Motor: [voltage; phase; frequency] Options: [timer; decanter; mounting]
This company lists oil skimmers for CNC machine coolant.
Lists YSF3-series oil skimmers with adjustable scraper and waterproof bearings among CNC machine accessories.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
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Zebra Skimmers recommends a disk for a stable-level sump with lateral space and a belt for tight overhead, fluctuating level or hard-to-reach pits. [5]
Abanaki suggests sizing for the peak oil arriving in the shortest time and, as a rule of thumb, about twice the maximum expected capacity. [3]
Sources checked 2026-10-12. Abanaki and Zebra Skimmers are oil skimmer manufacturers that publish product specifications and selection guidance.
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