RK International Machine Tools Limited launches the ‘Foodie,’ which will revolutionise machine tool tank cleaning in the UK with efficiency and sustainability.

Following a recent visit to the TIMTOS 2025 exhibition, RK International Machine Tools Limited, a leading UK machine tool supplier, today announces the availability of the HC FENG Foodie Chip and Sludge Removal Machines for the UK & Ireland. 

This innovative system is poised to transform metal cutting machine coolant tank cleaning, offering significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and environmental sustainability for manufacturers nationwide.

Manually cleaning machine coolant tanks is traditionally a labour-intensive, time-consuming, and often unpleasant process involving up to eight steps, including powering off the machine, draining fluids, removing sludge, and replacing coolant. This leads to considerable machine downtime and exposes workers to health risks. Accumulated metal chips and sludge in the coolant act as abrasives, significantly reducing tool life and impacting machining precision. Infrequent cleaning exacerbates these issues and increases costs for coolant replacement and wastewater treatment.

Addressing these challenges, RK International Machine Tools Limited introduces the HC FENG Foodie. This system is designed for efficient chip and sludge extraction, safely removing coolants, chips, and swarf with a high-power pneumatic pump and suction spout. By keeping coolant clean and free from abrasive particles, Foodie helps maintain machine efficiency, optimise tool life, and reduce cleaning times to a minimum.

“Our service team see weekly how many machine coolant systems are treated in todays busy workshop” comments Simon Rood, Director & General Manager at RK International. “The compact footprint and capability of the Foodie make the unit appealing and are a must for any workshop. Having seen first hand the Foodie in operation, you can see how the contaminated swarf and coolant is ‘eaten’ by this efficient piece of equipment, and, taking into consideration that the Foodie has a ‘no-tank-capacity’ the only time to stop the Foodie, is when the swarf filter reaches capacity,” concludes Simon Rood.

The Foodie aligns with environmental protection and sustainable development goals (ESG). It promotes a circular economy by allowing cutting fluid to be fully recycled, reducing wastewater treatment and recovery costs. The air pressure-driven system eliminates electrical plugs, enhancing safety and reducing energy consumption. It is suitable for various machining centres, lathes and turning machines, plus a wide range of other machines, handling neat oil and water-soluble coolants, and filtering all types of chips from materials like aluminium, copper, plastic, steel, iron, and brass. Its lightweight (56kg) and moveable design allows one unit to service multiple machines.

Key Benefits of the Foodie:

• Recirculating coolant cleansing: The system is capable of filtering aluminium, copper, plastic, steel, iron, or brass chips from a 300-litre tank in as little as 2 minutes with only 5% residuals left. Crucially, the Foodie allows cleaning without the need for machine downtime.
• Air Driven Operation: Foodie is air pressure-driven and requires no electrical plugs. This enhances safety by eliminating electrical hazards in wet environments and contributes to energy savings. It features a double diaphragm pneumatic pump with no electric parts, built for safe, long-lived operation without overload or spark issues.
• No Consumables Required: A major benefit is that the Foodie unit requires no consumables. It uses washable and reusable filter baskets made with 304 stainless steel filtering mesh, available in optional accuracies. This eliminates ongoing costs associated with disposable filters used in many alternative systems.
• Operation Without Machine Downtime: Foodie is designed to be used without requiring the machine to stop production. This maximises machine utilisation, allowing cleaning during machining cycles.
• Comprehensive Material and Chip Handling: It effectively filters all types of chips, including non-magnetic ones, and works with a wide range of materials and both water-soluble and neat oil coolants. Case studies show success filtering difficult materials like bakelite and glass fibre powder chips.

• Portability and Ease of Maintenance: The lightweight (56kg) and moveable design allows for easy transportation and use on multiple machines. Maintenance is simplified with an openable front door for accessing inner parts. 

The Foodie is a powerful solution for manufacturers, providing significant time and cost savings while supporting environmental goals through coolant recycling and reduced waste.

RK International Machine Tools Limited is pleased to offer this innovative technology, enabling customers to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Following a recent visit to the TIMTOS 2025 exhibition, RK International Machine Tools Limited, a leading UK machine tool supplier, today announces the availability of the HC FENG Foodie Chip and Sludge Removal Machines for the UK & Ireland. 

This innovative system is poised to transform metal cutting machine coolant tank cleaning, offering significant improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and environmental sustainability for manufacturers nationwide.

Manually cleaning machine coolant tanks is traditionally a labour-intensive, time-consuming, and often unpleasant process involving up to eight steps, including powering off the machine, draining fluids, removing sludge, and replacing coolant. This leads to considerable machine downtime and exposes workers to health risks. Accumulated metal chips and sludge in the coolant act as abrasives, significantly reducing tool life and impacting machining precision. Infrequent cleaning exacerbates these issues and increases costs for coolant replacement and wastewater treatment.

Addressing these challenges, RK International Machine Tools Limited introduces the HC FENG Foodie. This system is designed for efficient chip and sludge extraction, safely removing coolants, chips, and swarf with a high-power pneumatic pump and suction spout. By keeping coolant clean and free from abrasive particles, Foodie helps maintain machine efficiency, optimise tool life, and reduce cleaning times to a minimum.

“Our service team see weekly how many machine coolant systems are treated in todays busy workshop” comments Simon Rood, Director & General Manager at RK International. “The compact footprint and capability of the Foodie make the unit appealing and are a must for any workshop. Having seen first hand the Foodie in operation, you can see how the contaminated swarf and coolant is ‘eaten’ by this efficient piece of equipment, and, taking into consideration that the Foodie has a ‘no-tank-capacity’ the only time to stop the Foodie, is when the swarf filter reaches capacity,” concludes Simon Rood.

The Foodie aligns with environmental protection and sustainable development goals (ESG). It promotes a circular economy by allowing cutting fluid to be fully recycled, reducing wastewater treatment and recovery costs. The air pressure-driven system eliminates electrical plugs, enhancing safety and reducing energy consumption. It is suitable for various machining centres, lathes and turning machines, plus a wide range of other machines, handling neat oil and water-soluble coolants, and filtering all types of chips from materials like aluminium, copper, plastic, steel, iron, and brass. Its lightweight (56kg) and moveable design allows one unit to service multiple machines.

Key Benefits of the Foodie:

• Recirculating coolant cleansing: The system is capable of filtering aluminium, copper, plastic, steel, iron, or brass chips from a 300-litre tank in as little as 2 minutes with only 5% residuals left. Crucially, the Foodie allows cleaning without the need for machine downtime.
• Air Driven Operation: Foodie is air pressure-driven and requires no electrical plugs. This enhances safety by eliminating electrical hazards in wet environments and contributes to energy savings. It features a double diaphragm pneumatic pump with no electric parts, built for safe, long-lived operation without overload or spark issues.
• No Consumables Required: A major benefit is that the Foodie unit requires no consumables. It uses washable and reusable filter baskets made with 304 stainless steel filtering mesh, available in optional accuracies. This eliminates ongoing costs associated with disposable filters used in many alternative systems.
• Operation Without Machine Downtime: Foodie is designed to be used without requiring the machine to stop production. This maximises machine utilisation, allowing cleaning during machining cycles.
• Comprehensive Material and Chip Handling: It effectively filters all types of chips, including non-magnetic ones, and works with a wide range of materials and both water-soluble and neat oil coolants. Case studies show success filtering difficult materials like bakelite and glass fibre powder chips.

• Portability and Ease of Maintenance: The lightweight (56kg) and moveable design allows for easy transportation and use on multiple machines. Maintenance is simplified with an openable front door for accessing inner parts. 

The Foodie is a powerful solution for manufacturers, providing significant time and cost savings while supporting environmental goals through coolant recycling and reduced waste.

RK International Machine Tools Limited is pleased to offer this innovative technology, enabling customers to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

www.rk-int.com