Industrial Filtration Solutions: Driving Efficiency and Precision | Eclipse Magnetics

Industrial Filtration Solutions: Driving Efficiency and Precision

Filtration technology plays a critical role in modern manufacturing and machining environments. By ensuring cleaner fluids, businesses can achieve superior precision, reduce operational costs, and minimise environmental impact.  

In industries where cutting, grinding, and machining are core processes, fluid cleanliness directly impacts product quality and equipment longevity. Traditional filtration methods often rely on consumable filters, leading to recurring costs and waste. Advanced magnetic and automated filtration systems offer a smarter alternative, delivering cleaner fluids and significant cost savings. This whitepaper explores the benefits of advanced magnetic filtration and how it contributes to sustainable and profitable operations. 

How to Reduce Costs with a Magnetic Filter

Magnetic filtration systems are cable of removing ferrous and paramagnetic particles as small as one micron from oil, coolant and lubricants during the machining process. These filters also inhibit bacterial growth because they extract contaminants without impacting the anti-foaming and anti-bacterial properties of the fluid. This extends the life of the fluid allowing for a reduction in fluid replacement.  Autofiltrex magnetic filter

Additionally, the cleaner coolant or oil means less damage to the machinery and tools due to dirty fluid. Meaning you save money from fewer repairs and product defaults caused by metal particles circulating your system. 

These systems often pay for themselves within weeks, driven by lower fluid waste and downtime costs.  

Furthermore, if you employ an automated filter, such as Eclipse Magnetics’ Autofiltrex, your machines can run 24/7 as the magnetic filter is capable of self-cleaning at programmable times. The resultant contamination is caught in the integrated waste reclaim and fluid recovery system, significantly reducing machine downtime and additional labour to clean the industrial filter.  

See how we saved Bowers Group £142,500 a year 

Decrease Your Waste with a Magnetic Coolant Filter 

Switching from a consumable filter such as paper, bags or cartridges to a magnetic filter means significant cost savings on purchasing regular replacement filters. 

Minimise fluid loss with an eco-friendly filtration system, ferrous debris collects as a semi-dry cake, shrinking fluid loss and associated disposal fees compared to a traditional media filter. The contaminants are clean enough for recycling, reducing hazardous waste disposal costs. Significant reduction in fluid and filter waste supports sustainability initiatives like ISO 14001. 

Magnetic filters requiring manual cleaning have no consumable parts and automated variants use minimal power during operation. 

Find out how Aaron Manufacturing Limited saved £5,500 a year by installing a Micromag MM10 Magnetic Filter. 

The Best Magnetic Filtration System 

Eclipse Magnetics’ filters remove nearly 100% of ferrous particles, outperforming conventional media. Cleaner fluids reduce tool wear, improve surface finish, and enhance accuracy in precision operations.  

Eclipse Magnetics Filtration Solutions

Autofiltrex Magnetic Filter 

  • Automated operation: 24/7 fluid polishing with programmable purge cycles, ideal for unmanned CNC setups.  

  • Built-in fluid reclaim: Captures ferrous sludge and recovers clean fluid back to tank—maximises fluid use and minimises disposal. 

  • Compact and CNC-ready: Easy “plug & play” installation with minimal footprint. 

Exceptional outcomes: cleaner fluid delivery, reduced media costs, lower waste, longer fluid life, improved machining precision, and constant operation. 

Micromag 

  • Compact, high-performance magnetic coolant filter designed for small to medium fluid systems. 

  • Removes ferrous particles down to sub-micron levels, ensuring cleaner fluids for precision machining. 

  • Easy to install and maintain, with no consumable filter media required. 

  • Ideal for grinding, honing, and cutting applications where space is limited. 

Filtramag+ 

  • Advanced magnetic filtration system for high-pressure and high-flow applications. Filtramag+ Magnetic Filter being cleaned

  • Protects pumps, valves, and tooling by maintaining fluid cleanliness under extreme conditions. 

  • With a stainless steel construction, Filtramag+ filtration system is ideal for use in harsh chemical environments and wash systems. 

  • Dual Flow Technology ensures that extraction rates are maximised as ferrous particles are exposed to the magnets twice on a single pass through the filter. 

Automag Skid 

  • Fully automated filtration skid integrating Eclipse Magnetics’ filters with pumps and controls. 

  • Provides continuous, unattended operation, reducing labour and downtime. 

  • Customisable system for large-scale coolant management, ideal for central filtration setups. 

  • Delivers maximum efficiency and sustainability by reducing waste and optimising fluid life. 

Industry Applications 

Automotive 

Key challenges: High-volume machining and grinding generate large amounts of ferrous debris, leading to tool wear, poor surface finish, and frequent coolant changes. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • Extends coolant life and reduces disposal costs. 

  • Improves component finish and dimensional accuracy for critical automotive parts. 

  • Cuts downtime and consumable filter costs in large-scale production. 

Bearings Manufacturers 

Key challenges: Bearings require ultra-precise tolerances and smooth finishes; contamination in grinding fluids can cause surface defects and premature failure. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • Sub-micron filtration ensures cleaner fluids for superior surface finish. 

  • Reduces scrap rates and rework costs. 

  • Enhances tool life and consistency in high-precision grinding. 

Steel Processing 

Key challenges: Ferrous particles in machining fluids cause blockages, pump damage, and poor heat treatment results. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • Removes ferrous contamination from quench tanks, improving heat treatment quality. 

  • Protects pumps and valves from abrasive wear. 

  • Reduces maintenance and fluid replacement frequency. 

Wash Systems 

Key challenges: Contaminated wash fluids redeposit particles on components, compromising the quality of the products. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • Maintains clean wash fluids for spotless component surfaces. 

  • Filters do not degrade in wash solution. 

  • Improves compliance with cleanliness standards in automotive and aerospace sectors. 

Machine Tool OEMs 

Key challenges: OEMs need reliable filtration integrated into their machines to meet customer demands for precision and uptime. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • Compact magnetic filters integrate easily into CNC machines. 

  • Reduces machine maintenance and downtime. 

  • Adds value to OEM offerings with sustainability and cost-saving features. 

Tool Cutting 

Key challenges: Cutting tools degrade quickly in contaminated fluids, leading to poor finish and high replacement costs. 

Benefits of using an industrial magnetic filter: 

  • The magnetic filter enables the machines to produce “mirror” finish tools. 

  • Enables tolerances of <1 micron. 

  • Can increase the value of tools by 300% with extended fluid life. 

Technical Specifications & Integration 

Eclipse Magnetics’ filtration systems are engineered for seamless integration into modern machining environments, offering robust performance across a wide range of operating conditions. 

Flow Rates & Pressure Handling 

  • Micromag: Handles flow rates up to 100 L/min, ideal for small to medium systems. 

  • Filtramag+: Designed for high-pressure applications up to 20 bar, suitable for demanding CNC operations. 

  • Autofiltrex: Supports continuous flow in large-scale systems, with automated purge cycles for uninterrupted operation. 

  • Auto Skid: Customisable for central filtration setups, managing high-volume fluid streams efficiently. 

Compatibility with CNC Machines 

  • All Eclipse filters are plug-and-play, requiring minimal installation effort. 

  • Compatible with grinding, honing, cutting, and wash systems, as well as OEM machine tool designs. 

  • Integration options include inline or offline configurations, ensuring flexibility for diverse production setups. 

Automation & Control 

Autofiltrex and Auto Skid offer fully automated cleaning cycles, reducing manual intervention and downtime. Programmable purge systems ensure consistent performance in unmanned or 24/7 operations. 

Conclusion 

Eclipse Magnetics’ CNC coolant filtration systems transform precision manufacturing by delivering ultra-clean fluids, reducing disposable waste, lowering operational costs, and supporting environmental goals. These solutions provide rapid ROI and are ideal for businesses focused on sustainable efficiency and top-tier machining performance. 

FAQs 

Why is advanced magnetic filtration more effective than traditional filtration techniques? 

Magnetic filters are very advanced when compared to traditional magnetic applications to remove ferrous particles. In the past, magnetic systems were very basic, often consisting of randomly placed low strength magnetic bars or rods in a settlement tank, or a low strength magnetic roll. Unfortunately, the results are largely ineffective. 

Whilst the basic principles of magnetic filtration are similar, there are huge differences in the product design and levels of performance between advanced magnetic filters and the magnetic systems of the past. 

How does magnetic filtration increase productivity? 

Magnetic filtration increases productivity in variety of ways. High flow rates can be maintained without affecting filtration efficiency. Fluid does not flow through filter media, so flow is uninterrupted. Flow rates are, therefore, determined by your process requirements, not by your filter. 

There’s also no back pressure when a magnetic filter is used. Even when the filter is ‘full’ there is no blinding or risk of burst filters, reducing downtime. 

Eclipse Magnetics produce a wide range of magnetic filters for a range of industries from steel processing to bearing manufacturing. Each filter has its own unique properties whilst providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to removing fine ferrous particles from machine coolant. 

Speak to a member of the team to discuss your business needs to find the best solution for your coolant filtration.  

Can magnetic filtration help me to comply with the New Safe Handling of Metalworking Fluid Guidelines? 

Yes, including a magnetic filter in your metalworking fluid system is a great way of ensuring that your business is compliant with the new guidelines for the Safe Handling and Disposal of Metalworking Fluids introduced by The United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA). 

Metal contamination has been identified by the UKLA, the Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group (MWFPSG), and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as a major factor affecting the quality of metalworking fluids. In order to ensure compliance with the safe handling and disposal of metalworking fluid guidelines, fluid needs to be correctly maintained with regards to the concentration of metal contaminants in the fluid. Magnetic filtration is a very effective way of reducing the concentration of metal contaminants, therefore ensuring compliance with the metalworking fluid handling guidelines. 

Which industries benefit from the Automag Skid Magnetic Filter? 

The Automag Skid Magnetic Filter is the ultimate solution for industries that demand high-volume, continuous fluid filtration. Trusted by automotive, aerospace, precision engineering, steel processing, and industrial wash sectors, it delivers exceptional cleanliness for critical components and pre-paint processes. With fully automated cleaning, integrated fluid recovery, and the ability to handle flow rates up to 10,000 litres per minute, Automag Skid reduces downtime, cuts consumable costs, and ensures superior product quality, making it the go-to choice for 24/7 operations in demanding environments. 

Why use magnetic filtration over traditional filter methods? 

Magnetic filters are more effective at removing ferrous particles than virtually all other types of filtration. Traditional barrier filters are constrained by the pore size in the barrier; if the pore is too big, the contamination continues to circulate; but if it is too small, it will block. Whilst centrifugal filters work well for mixed contaminants, including non-ferrous particles, they can be costly upfront and may not be as efficient for fine ferrous particles as magnetic filters. 

Advanced magnetic filtration has been specifically developed to overcome some of the typical problems experienced when using traditional filters. Fully automated magnetic filtration systems an effective solution for continuous manufacturing lines, offering 24/7 uninterrupted filtration and resulting in minimal downtime. 

"We were delighted with the service provided by Eclipse Magnetics; from the initial site survey through to delivery."

Adrian Seeley, Production Supervisor at AB MAURI UK & Ireland

"I cannot begin to tell you how much it has helped our operation, the magnetic filtration unit has been a real problem solver it has surpassed all our expectations. Its cured a 30 year plague!"

Maintenance Manager at EXL Tube (Steel Ventures)

"This technology is economical, reliable and efficient. I believe that magnetic filtration technology is the future."

John Smith, MMTCI

"Magnetic filtration has dramatically cleaned up our fluids and improved the surface finish we can offer. It extracts around 50Kg per day of ferrous waste."

Facilities Manager, Milacron Machines (Sub-Contract Machining)

"We chose Eclipse Magnetics to supply our housed grid because they are a respected and well-established brand. They offered us a very competitive price, and the process of ordering and installation was straightforward and reliable."

Pat Richards, Chief Engineer at Simpsons Malt

“We are delighted with the Automag installation; it’s solved all the problems we were having previously with downtime and maintenance costs. The filter means that we are able to use recycled water, which is saving us £1000 per week!”

Kenneth McRae, Principle Engineer at Vallourec

"Here at Qualflow, we base our business on a philosophy of make the product simple to use, reliable and cost-effective. Eclipse Magnetics’ neodymium magnets offer the strongest magnetic performance, and are nickel plated, making them a cost effective.."

Justin Lawler Ph.D. MBA, Chief Technology Officer at Qualflow Systems Ltd

"The Ultralift Plus magnetic lifter from Eclipse Magnetics is the perfect solution for the pick-up and transportation of the ultrasonic calibration blocks in our facility"

John Crossley, NDT Technology Lead at the Nuclear AMRC

"The result is an aesthetically pleasing system, which is effective in trapping metal contaminants and is easy to clean..."

Ian Aunger at Roquette