Maximize ROI in Your Machine Shop with the Coolant Decontamination Unit (CDU)

mcgardiner
May 2
3 min read

If you're running a machine shop, you’ve probably dealt with smelly coolant, oily coolant, or that unmistakable rotten egg smell coming from your CNC reservoir. It’s a common issue—and an expensive one. Contaminated cutting fluid leads to tool wear, production downtime, and constant CNC coolant replacement.

That’s why Big Sky Decon created the Coolant Decontamination Unit (CDU)—a mobile, efficient, and effective coolant cleaner designed specifically for CNC environments. Whether you're fighting coolant bacteria, tramp oil, or simply trying to figure out how to keep machine coolant from smelling, the CDU is your all-in-one solution.

The Problem: Smelly, Dirty Coolant Is Costing You

In CNC machining, coolant (or cutting fluid) is critical. It keeps tools cool and clears metal chips during machining. But over time, it gets contaminated by:

Metal chips and fines
Oil in coolant (aka tramp oil)
Organic matter and bacteria

These contaminants turn coolant into bad coolant—stinky coolant that not only smells awful, but also damages your equipment, shortens coolant life, and increases the frequency of full coolant changes.

Here’s what many machine shops are stuck dealing with:

Coolant bacteria and contaminants are causing strong odors
Frequent need to replace the coolant
Costly coolant disposal costs
Machine downtime during coolant changes
No affordable or efficient coolant reservoir cleaner on the market—until now

The Solution: Big Sky Decon’s Coolant Decontamination Unit (CDU)

The CDU is a portable, plug-and-play machine coolant cleaner that works with all types of CNC equipment—from lathes and mills to saws and drill presses. It’s engineered to help you:

Clean the coolant without removing it from the reservoir
Skim coolant to remove tramp oil
Kill bacteria and contaminants with UV decontamination
Eliminate odors from dirty, stinky coolant
Extend the life of your CNC coolant
Avoid having to replace CNC coolant constantly

CDU Features: Built for Shop-Floor Performance

Heavy-duty stainless steel construction
Standard 110V power
Manual skimmer timer
UVC light on/off switch
External oil collection container with coolant return hose
Rolling stand for easy mobility from one coolant reservoir to another

Whether you need to clean a CNC reservoir or prep a machine for a new job, the CDU is built to simplify your maintenance.

How the CDU Works

Pump Installation: Place the CDU pump in the coolant reservoir
Coolant Circulation: Dirty coolant is pumped into the CDU
Oil Separation: The built-in coolant skimmer removes tramp oil and surface contaminants
UV Decontamination: UVC lights eliminate bacteria and odors
Coolant Return: Clean coolant flows back into the machine

You can run the CDU while machines are in use or let it cycle overnight to reduce downtime and labor.

Key Benefits for CNC Shops

No more dirty coolant or “rotten egg” smells
Reduces the need to replace CNC coolant
Kills bacteria that degrade fluid and cause odors
Extends coolant life—only top off due to evaporation
Portable—clean multiple machines with one unit
Eliminates guesswork about how to get rid of machine coolant

Save Time, Money, and Coolant Inventory

The CDU delivers fast ROI by cutting these major costs:

Coolant replacement costs
Coolant disposal costs
Machine downtime
Labor to change the coolant
Compliance with disposal rules (no need to figure out where to discard machine coolant or how to get rid of used coolant)

Use it as part of a preventative maintenance program to reduce breakdowns and extend the life of both your fluid and your equipment.

CDU Price & Value

The Coolant Decontamination Unit is priced at $4,650.00. For most machine shops, it pays for itself quickly by reducing coolant usage, disposal, and labor costs.

Compared to the ongoing expense of constantly having to dump used machine coolant and buy fresh fluid, the CDU offers a smarter, cleaner, and greener option.

Final Thoughts

Still wondering why your CNC coolant smells bad or how to prevent your CNC from smelling? The answer isn’t another round of chemical additives or another expensive coolant swap—it’s the Coolant Decontamination Unit from Big Sky Decon.

Contact Big Sky Decon today to learn how the CDU can clean your coolant, kill the smell, and save your shop thousands.