Take Control of Your Coolant with Fully Automated Level & Concentration Control

Coolant Commander is a fully automated coolant management system for CNC machine tools. It continuously monitors coolant level and concentration using an industrial digital refractometer and a probe-style level sensor, then automatically doses water and concentrate to hold the sump at your programmed target. The main unit mounts to the machine, and data displays on a front digital screen where the operator can adjust the target percentage when needed.

Coolant Commander SOLO uses existing or newly installed water plumbing at the machine and an onboard sanitary peristaltic pump that doses concentrate from a pail or container near the machine. When the concentrate is dosed directly into the machine it emulsifies itself through coolant pump agitation to richen the mixture. SOLO is the right pick for shops that want to automate without re-plumbing their facility with a mixed coolant line.

Coolant Commander PRO uses a water-powered proportioner to mix coolant at a central drum or tote, then delivers a single mixed-coolant line to each machine along with a separate water line. Depending on your sump(s) needs, Commander PRO will pull from the water line, mixed coolant line or both to get your machine exactly the mixture it needs to stay on target. It’s ideal for facilities that can run both water and coolant lines to every cell and want one single source for coolant concentrate staging.

Coolant Commander SOLO 2 doesn’t require any water to be plumbed at all! A floor-mounted unit (with locking casters) is staged near the machine sump along with a concentrate container and a 55-gallon drum of water. When needed, Commander SOLO 2 will pump water or concentrate into your coolant tank to keep your machine on target. SOLO 2 is best for shops where machine moves are common or can’t run water lines due to facility layout.

All Coolant Commander units typically maintain concentration within 0.2% of the programmed target range using a premium digital refractometer. SOLO & SOLO 2 dose concentrate at a low rate of 8 to 12 oz/min with intermittent pauses to ensure a proper emulsion and extreme accuracy.

Yes. Coolant Commander is compatible with standard water-miscible metalworking fluids, including semi-synthetic, synthetic, vegetable and GTL based coolants from major brands. The target concentration percentage is programmable on the main unit, so you can dial in the correct range for your specific fluid and application. If your coolant has a refractive index (sometimes referred to as a “multiplier”), common in synthetic and modern semi-synthetic fluids, Commander will automatically do the calculation for you.

The control unit mounts directly to the machine using included magnets or can be screwed or bolted in place as a more permanent solution. All units require mounting the level probe and refractometer in the coolant tank using their included brackets. A 2″ hole is often needed to be cut into the sump cover for the refractometer and a 1″ hole for the level probe. Included is an assortment of self-drilling screws which make mounting simple.

Coolant Commander SOLO requires only a water line. Coolant Commander PRO requires a water line and a mixed-coolant line to each machine (2 PVC or PEX runs with ball valves). SOLO 2 requires power only, as the water is consumed from a nearby 55-gallon drum. All models use standard 110V AC and we highly recommend GFCI outlets to comply with industrial workplace safety standards and regulations. SOLO and PRO come with a 5′ in-line power supply cable while SOLO 2 has an internally mounted power supply with a 20′ power cord. Most machines can be brought online in a few hours, and experienced installers can typically install in under an hour.

The refractometer has an integrated three-color indicator light at the top of the probe. Green means concentration is in range. Red means you need to check the concentrate supply. Yellow means the refractometer needs a quick wipe-down and re-submerge. Operators get a shop-floor status check at a glance, and current concentration and level values display on the main unit.

Coming soon is the Coolant Commander dashboard, a cloud-based solution offering a beautiful command center to view all your machines remotely. Text and e-mail alerts can be set up to let you know when your attention is needed.

Yes. Coolant Commander is machine-agnostic. It is completely stand-alone, mounts externally and reads coolant conditions directly from the sump, so it works with virtually any CNC mill, lathe, grinder, or EDM regardless of age. Even an older manual machine can be automated! As long as there is a coolant tank to monitor and power and water within reach, it installs cleanly.

Routine maintenance is minimal. The refractometer occasionally needs a quick wipe (the yellow indicator prompts it), and the peristaltic pump on the SOLO model has a replaceable silicone tube that lasts years under normal duty. Both sensors are permanently mounted and designed for continuous industrial use.

It depends on your current coolant usage, labor rates, and tool costs, but most shops see a return within the first 12 months from a combination of reduced concentrate consumption, extended tool life, longer sump life, and reclaimed labor. Our team is happy to walk through a custom ROI worksheet for your facility.

Call King Industrial at 855.692.4266, email [email protected], or use the quote form on this page. We’ll help you pick between SOLO, PRO & SOLO 2 to find the right installation for your facility. We can also talk through options for an on-site demo unit so you can try it yourself before you commit.