Abstract: A skimmer for removing oil and paramagnetic chips from a contaminated body of machine tool coolant. The skimmer includes a frame and an endless tube partially trained within the frame that defines a travel path. The path of the tube includes a first section within the body of coolant and a second section out of the body of coolant. The skimmer further includes a magnet disposed within the tube, a drive system mounted to the frame and operatively coupled to the tube to power travel of the tube, and a wiper connected to the frame at a position along the travel path. The wiper is advantageously positioned adjacent to the tube such that the wiper removes oil and metal chips carried by the tube. A receptacle is includes that delineates a collection space positioned below the wiper to receive oil and metal chips.

Abstract: An oil skimmer of the endless belt type is disclosed. The unit has an adjustment for adjusting the location of the axis of head pulley rotation and a floating tail pulley to assure accurate tracking of the belts on the pulleys. The tail pulley features L-shaped spokes having legs that provide limited pulley-to-belt contact, minimizing oil transfer from the belt to the tail pulley, and also providing a mechanism for forcing oil against a descending belt reach to provide enhanced oil pick-up. The tail pulley is provided with a catch frame and an anchored tether for catching the belt and the tail pulley in the event that the belt breaks.