SHERIDAN, WYOMING - March 31, 2026 - Grinding manufacturers face a more data-driven operating model in 2026 as cooling lubricant management moves from a maintenance task into a direct lever for energy use, surface quality, uptime and scrap reduction. VDW highlights this shift through research and industrial practice around requirement-based coolant supply, where sensor data, standardized machine connectivity and cloud-based service platforms are used to stabilize grinding conditions and support more autonomous production.
At the process level, the article centers on how small deviations in grinding can separate acceptable parts from rejects, making coolant chemistry as important as machine setup. The reported approach links lubricant variables such as flow rate, temperature and pressure with process-related data including grinding forces, spindle power and workpiece properties. Using those inputs, researchers at the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools at Leibniz University of Hanover are developing sensor and control concepts intended to automate coolant supply according to actual process demand.
From fluid handling to process optimization
The research cited by VDW points to measurable production effects. Prof. Berend Denkena says initial work identified process windows that reduced grinding energy demand by up to 27 percent without lowering workpiece quality or increasing tool wear. The same work also raised the metal removal rate by up to 20 percent, indicating that coolant delivery can influence both cost and throughput rather than only lubrication performance.
That matters because requirement-based supply changes how grinding cells are tuned. More stable process conditions can extend tool life and reduce rejects and rework, while lower coolant consumption cuts the cost of producing, preparing and disposing of the fluid. The article frames coolant monitoring as part of the path to autonomous production, with umati and the OPC UA communication standard providing a way to move data from machines and coolant systems into higher-level IT systems or cloud platforms.
How suppliers are operationalizing coolant monitoring
Fuchs SE describes coolant management around four elements: building a stable emulsion with suitable water quality, continuously monitoring the emulsion's condition, replenishing fresh emulsion to maintain concentration and volume, and using additives selectively to prevent infections or foaming. The company says automation is most suitable where applications are stable and not subject to strong fluctuations, while investment economics still determine whether full automation is justified.
For automated operation, Fuchs identifies in-line refractometers and tank fill-level measurement as a minimum requirement. Its cloud-based LubeLink FluidsConnect platform maps machines and lubrication points as digital twins, records current status and replenishment quantities, and manages maintenance processes centrally. The article also lists routine measurements used in practice, including concentration, pH, nitrite levels, bacterial swabs, odor and visual condition, with the resulting data used to plan replenishment cycles and tank cleaning intervals. Fuchs states that the application is hosted in Germany and tested regularly with the hosting environment by an independent external partner.
Business impact
Procurement leads and plant operations directors now have clearer criteria for 2026 budget and sourcing decisions. They can evaluate coolant management not just on fluid price, but on whether a supplier can support in-line measurement, replenishment control, centralized data capture and integration into plant IT through interoperable standards. Where grinding lines are quality-sensitive or energy-intensive, the reported reductions in energy demand, rejects and downtime create a stronger business case for funding sensors, automation and service contracts.
Automation managers and manufacturing technology teams also face roadmap implications. They need to decide whether coolant systems remain isolated utilities or become part of machine-level digital control, especially where umati and OPC UA can simplify data exchange across mixed-vendor equipment. EHS and sustainability managers gain a separate decision frame: longer fluid life, lower water use, reduced additive use and less emulsion disposal can improve resource efficiency while supporting internal ESG targets. For global manufacturers, the fact that Fuchs hosts LubeLink in Germany adds a data-governance factor when selecting cloud-based process support tools for multi-site production networks.