In high-precision machining, ambient shop temperature fluctuations cause dual thermal expansion in both the workpiece and the machine’s ballscrews, compromising dimensional accuracy.

Fadal’s Chilled Ballscrews option resolves this by gun-drilling the ballscrews and circulating Dowfrost coolant through them. When paired with linear scales, this system stabilizes drive-train temperatures, allowing machines to maintain tolerances within tenths.

The primary vulnerability lies in the rotary seals that contain the coolant between the inner delivery tube and the ballscrew core.

While Dowfrost acts as a lubricant for the seal lips, operators often mistakenly replenish the reservoir with tap water instead of deionized water. Over time, mineral deposits and contaminants turn the fluid into an abrasive slurry that scores the seals and the ballscrew shafts.

The seals wear out and leak Dowfrost internally into the main coolant tank. Because the leak is hidden, the reservoir runs dry, causing rapid friction failure.

Rather than repairing the leak, shops frequently turn off the chiller system entirely, rendering the precision option useless.

To prevent premature wear, install a low-cost inline fluid filter into the chiller loop to continuously capture abrasive particulates.

If your system is currently deactivated, you can restore factory-spec thermal stability with the following replacement components:

(https://cncpros.com/collections/dowfrost)

(https://cncpros.com/.../brg-0024-kit-bearings-seals-all...)

(https://cncpros.com/products/pmp-0034-filter)

Feel free to contact us for technical support or questions about anything. 208-888-9236