Eclipse Magnetics Filtration Technology Supports Precision Machining at CJMT

Chinese machine tool manufacturer Yichang Changjiang Machine Technology Co., Ltd. (CJMT) has expanded its use of Eclipse Magnetics’ high-intensity magnetic filtration technology following a successful trial aimed at improving cutting fluid cleanliness and machining performance.

Based in Yichang, Hubei Province, CJMT specialises in the research, development and manufacture of CNC gear machine tools. Its product portfolio includes CNC gear shaping machines, electronic helical guide CNC gear shaping machines and hydraulic stroke gear shaping machines, alongside a range of gear skiving machines covering sizes from 120mm to 1,250mm.

CJMT’s gear shaping machines account for more than 70% of the domestic Chinese market, with its equipment used in sectors including automotive, wind power, energy, mining, ports and shipping, engineering machinery and tool manufacturing.

For a manufacturer operating in precision gear machining, maintaining consistent cutting conditions is critical to achieving the required levels of accuracy and surface finish. One area identified by CJMT for improvement was the management of fine ferrous contamination within its cutting fluid.

Haifu Chen, Supply and Sales Manager at CJMT, said: “Before using MicroMag, our filtration system was very complicated. Users had to clean it almost every week, which made operation highly inconvenient, and the tooth surfaces machined by our customers were often unsatisfactory.

The company’s gear shaping machines incorporate dedicated cooling and filtration stations using established filtration methods including paper filters, cartridge filters and magnetic rollers. While effective at removing larger particles, CJMT found that fine ferrous contamination of 20μm and below could remain suspended in the cutting fluid and continue circulating through the machining process.

At this scale, contamination can have a direct impact on machining conditions. Fine particles circulating within the fluid can increase friction at the cutting interface, contributing to unwanted machining marks and inconsistent surface finish, as well as increasing the potential for scrap and rework.

Continued circulation of contamination can also accelerate cutting tool wear, shorten cutting fluid life and increase the potential for mechanical issues. Collectively, these factors can affect consumable costs, maintenance requirements, machine availability and overall production efficiency.

To target the finer particles remaining after conventional filtration, CJMT selected an Eclipse Magnetics MicroMag magnetic filter for an initial trial on its YGX5112 high-precision, small-module gear shaping machine.

MicroMag uses a high-intensity magnetic circuit to capture fine ferrous particles as contaminated fluid passes through the filter. By removing these particles from circulation, cleaner cutting fluid is returned to the machining process, helping to protect tooling and equipment while maintaining more consistent machining conditions.

Haifu continued: “After adopting magnetic filtration, contaminants are removed immediately, maintenance time has been significantly reduced, and process performance has become much more stable.

“Installation was quick, the results were immediate, and the return on investment is clear. It is a simple and effective filtration solution that delivers real operational and environmental benefits.”

The trial demonstrated that the MicroMag could capture fine ferrous contamination that had remained within the circulating fluid after the existing filtration stages.

Following the results, CJMT extended the application of the technology beyond the initial YGX5112 installation, adopting MicroMag filtration on its YK8132A high-efficiency, high-precision CNC power skiving machines.

According to CJMT, the improved control of contamination has helped extend cutting fluid and cutting tool life, reduce unwanted machining marks and lower the risk of mechanical problems associated with contaminated process fluid.

The company has also reported positive customer feedback on machines incorporating the filtration technology, with its CNC power skiving range subsequently experiencing increased demand.

For CJMT, however, one of the most significant changes has been the simplification of filtration and maintenance.