Chip Guard Safety: Protecting Operators from High Pressure Coolant

Chip guards are the physical barriers that protect operators from flying chips, high-pressure coolant spray, and rotating parts. On deep hole drilling machines, the guards need to be designed for the specific hazards of the process. I’ve seen both good and bad guard designs. A well-designed guard keeps the operator safe without interfering with production. What the Guard Needs to Contain On a deep hole drilling machine, the guard must contain: ...

June 11, 2026 · Engineer at the Deep Hole

High Pressure Coolant Safety in Deep Hole Drilling

The Real Danger of High Pressure Coolant High pressure coolant systems in deep hole drilling run at 1000-2000 psi. At those pressures, a pinhole leak creates a jet that cuts through skin like a scalpel. The entry wound looks small and harmless. The coolant carries bacteria and metal fines deep into the tissue, and the infection that follows is what causes permanent damage. I have seen a maintenance technician get a coolant injection injury from a pinhole leak in a hose that looked perfectly sound. The leak was invisible at idle but opened up under full pressure. He needed two surgeries to clean out the infection. The hose had been in service for three years. ...

June 11, 2026 · Engineer at the Deep Hole