Founded in 1929, DECOLLETAGE DE REU is a family-run precision machining company based in Achiet-le-Grand in northern France. With customers in the medical, nuclear, and military sectors, maintaining high quality and precision is essential — as is a commitment to continuous improvement. The company machines all types of materials and produces parts ranging from 0.25 mm to Ø80 mm.
When Jeoffrey De Reu became the fourth-generation CEO in 2012, he led a transformation of the company’s operations, modernizing the facility, upgrading the machine park, and implementing ISO 9001 certification. Today, DECOLLETAGE DE REU operates 65 machines, all equipped with high-pressure pumps to improve chip evacuation and machining performance.
The challenge: High volumes of oil mist and fumes
In connection with the investment in a Tornos EvoDECO 16 machine for complex precision work, the company encountered serious issues with oil mist. The high-pressure coolant system (running up to 120 bar) caused their mechanical oil mist filter to clog frequently, leading to recurring maintenance and increasing costs. Attempts to change oil types or install a second collector showed limited improvement.
Even with two oil mist collectors on the same machine, the result was still the same.
– Jeoffrey De Reu, CEO, DECOLLETAGE DE REU
The solution: 3nine oil mist separators
With a strong focus on improvement and innovation, the company decided to test a 3nine unit based on disc stack technology. After just two months of use on the EvoDECO 16, the results were clear.
The air quality around the operator was clearly improved. Two years later, we still haven’t needed to change filters or perform any type of maintenance.
Cleaner air, lower costs
High-pressure machining creates extremely fine oil mist particles, which pose a challenge for traditional filters that saturate quickly. 3nine’s disc stack technology separates particles down to 0.5 μm — improving air quality and dramatically reducing the need for filter changes.
Health and safety are crucial for our employees. But from an economic point of view, we also see the savings in recovering separated oil mist. It felt like such a waste losing all that oil with the old filters.
