KALAMAZOO, Mich. – September 03, 2026 – PRAB, a U.S.-based manufacturer of metalworking and fluid management equipment, continues to help manufacturers address some of their most persistent production challenges through integrated solutions for metal scrap conveying, chip processing, coolant recycling, fluid filtration and industrial wastewater treatment.
With more than 75 years of experience, PRAB designs equipment for demanding manufacturing environments where effective material handling, fluid recovery and waste reduction can have a direct impact on productivity and operating costs. The company supports industries including automotive, aerospace, medical device manufacturing, machining, die casting, forging, stamping, heavy manufacturing and energy.
As manufacturers look for practical ways to improve resource efficiency and automate production processes, PRAB provides systems engineered to manage materials and fluids from the machining operation through recycling, reclamation or disposal.
Making Coolant Recycling Part of Smarter Manufacturing
Metalworking fluids are essential to machining operations, but contaminated coolant can create unnecessary costs, maintenance requirements and disposal challenges.
A properly engineered coolant recycling system helps remove contaminants and extend the usable life of metalworking fluids. PRAB offers centralized and machine-side solutions designed to help manufacturers reclaim fluids while maintaining more consistent coolant quality.
The company’s Guardian™ industrial coolant recycling systems are complemented by technologies including paper bed filters, magnetic separators, centrifuges and cross-flow separation equipment. PRAB also provides a tramp oil separator for applications where unwanted oils must be removed from coolant.
Combined within an appropriate coolant filtration system, these technologies can help stabilize coolant, protect tooling and reduce the amount of new fluid that needs to be purchased. PRAB reports that customers using its fluid recycling equipment have achieved significant reductions in fluid-related operating expenses.
This approach turns coolant management from a routine disposal issue into an opportunity for greater efficiency and resource recovery.
Transforming Metal Chips and Turnings into More Manageable Scrap
Metal chips, swarf and long stringy turnings can consume valuable floor space and retain significant amounts of cutting fluid when they leave a machine tool.
PRAB’s metal chip processing equipment is designed to address these challenges by reducing scrap volume, separating reusable fluids and preparing metal for more efficient recycling.
Depending on the application, a facility can incorporate crushers, shredders, wringers, briquetters or complete automated processing systems.
A metal chip briquetter, for example, compresses loose chips into dense, manageable pucks while helping separate fluids from the material. For applications requiring centrifugal fluid separation, a chip wringer can recover cutting fluids from processed chips.
Long and difficult-to-handle turnings can first be reduced using a metal turnings shredder, creating smaller material that can be processed more efficiently downstream.
PRAB states that its chip processing systems can reduce machining scrap volume by up to 91%, while additional wringing or briquetting processes can recover up to 98% of spent fluids and potentially improve the value of recovered scrap.
The result is a more systematic approach to metal scrap management that can reduce handling requirements while recovering resources that might otherwise be lost.
Automating Scrap Movement Across the Facility
Efficient chip processing begins with reliable material movement.
PRAB manufactures a broad range of metal scrap conveyor solutions for wet and dry metal scrap generated by machining, stamping, die casting, laser cutting and other industrial processes.
For demanding applications, hinged steel belt conveyors provide a rugged method for moving chips and scrap away from production machinery. Facilities working primarily with ferrous materials can also use a magnetic chip conveyor, which moves material using magnetic force without requiring conventional external carrying components in the material stream.
Additional PRAB conveyor technologies include pivot belt, oscillating, screw, drag and load-out systems.
As an experienced chip conveyor manufacturer, PRAB works with manufacturers, engineers and integrators to develop systems that match specific production layouts, material characteristics and automation requirements.
This integrated approach allows scrap to move from individual machines to centralized processing or load-out areas with less manual handling.
Addressing Industrial Wastewater and Process Water Challenges
Manufacturing efficiency extends beyond metal scrap and coolant.
Industrial operations often generate wastewater containing oils, suspended solids, dissolved contaminants and other materials that may require treatment before water can be reused or discharged.
PRAB develops industrial wastewater treatment systems for manufacturers seeking to reduce wastewater volumes, improve water reuse and support environmental compliance.
Its portfolio of industrial wastewater treatment equipment includes ultrafiltration, oil-water separation, vacuum evaporation, automated pH adjustment and other treatment technologies.
Among the available solutions are reverse osmosis systems, which use membrane-based separation for applications requiring additional purification of process or incoming water.
Rather than relying on a single treatment method, manufacturers can combine different technologies according to the characteristics of their water stream and operational objectives. PRAB’s wastewater portfolio includes ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, vacuum evaporation, ozone, ultraviolet technologies and oil-water separation.
For companies evaluating wastewater treatment equipment manufacturers, the ability to integrate multiple treatment stages can be particularly important when dealing with changing production requirements or complex wastewater streams.
Connecting Scrap, Fluid and Water Management
One of PRAB’s distinguishing capabilities is the breadth of systems available within a connected manufacturing environment.
Instead of treating scrap conveying, chip processing, coolant recycling and wastewater management as unrelated functions, manufacturers can develop a more integrated workflow.
Metal scrap can be automatically conveyed away from production machinery. Chips and turnings can then be shredded, wrung or briquetted. Recovered coolant can be filtered and returned to production where appropriate, while process water and wastewater can move through dedicated treatment equipment.
PRAB also integrates PLC controls, HMIs, sensors and IIoT monitoring capabilities into equipment to support increasingly automated manufacturing operations.
The company works directly with manufacturers, engineers, integrators and vendors to develop installations designed around individual operational requirements.
Built for Demanding Industrial Environments
PRAB designs and assembles its equipment in Kalamazoo, Michigan, while also supporting international manufacturers through its European headquarters in Poland.
The company backs its systems with the PRAB Performantee® Guarantee and provides technical support for customers operating equipment in demanding production environments. PRAB notes that many of its systems remain operational for decades, reflecting an engineering philosophy focused on durability and long-term performance.
From a standalone coolant recycling system or tramp oil separator to a complete metal chip processing line, automated conveyor network or multi-stage industrial wastewater treatment installation, PRAB’s portfolio gives manufacturers multiple options for improving the way valuable materials and fluids move through their facilities.
About PRAB
PRAB engineers and manufactures equipment for metal scrap conveying, chip and turning processing, fluid filtration and recycling, and incoming water, process water and industrial wastewater treatment. The company serves manufacturers across a wide range of industries from its headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with additional support for international customers through its European operations.
For more information about PRAB’s metalworking, fluid recycling and wastewater treatment technologies, visit https://www.prab.com.
Media ContactCompany Name: PRAB, Inc.Contact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailPhone: (877) 705-4936Address:5801 East N Avenue City: KalamazooState: Michigan 49048Country: United StatesWebsite: https://www.prab.com
