Magnets have probably been in existence since time began on earth. In a 4th century, Chinese book there is a reference to lodestone, a rock that makes iron come to it. As science and technology progressed, uses and applications for magnets increased as well. As our world enters the 21st century, man has continued to develop new and creative uses for magnets that make our life easier and more efficient. Magnets have changed in size, strength, appearance, and physical properties. Some are small and lightweight and are useful for holding recipes on your mom's refrigerator, while some plate magnets are so strong and powerful they could easily hold the refrigerator itself!
Industrial magnets are large and have powerful magnetic pull force. They get their name because of the important job they perform in the field of industry; manufacturing plants, warehouses, and transit systems are just a few of the places that rely on these heavy magnets of industry. These large magnets are created using special materials and specific procedures to create incredible metal attraction. These powerful magnets perform so well that they have found a permanent place in many of the large scale procedures found in factories and businesses around the globe. Consider three of the typical functions performed by industrial magnets.
Another common application for industrial plate magnets is to sift and check conveyors for any metal filings or debris that would possibly damage the machines. These large magnetic plates are placed at strategic locations over the conveyor so that the metal will not possibly damage the product or the production line. Many food product assembly lines will also use the magnets to make certain that metal scraps and filings stay off the conveyor assembly.
Heavy lifting and transportation can be easily accomplished with industrial magnets. Some of these magnets are strong enough to lift up to 3,000-4,000lbs. These strong lifting devices can pick up large metal machines, plates, or cylinders and safely transport them to where they need to go, whether onto to a truck for shipment or over to another area of the warehouse for storage. These lifting magnets often take twenty minutes to do a task that would have taken ten men most of the day to complete.
Magnets are also used in industry to provide clean up of metal debris. Magnetic sweepers, drags, and rakes can be moved across roads, warehouse buildings, parking lots, and factory floors with the ability to pick up hundreds of pounds of scrap metal, nails, and steel shrouds as these devices are pushed over the clean up surface. These devices can also function underwater. Magnets have enabled manufacturers to work faster and more efficiently, and experts in industry continue to look for viable uses for these metal attracting tools. From plate magnets to sweepers, these industrial strength giants will not be replaced any time soon.
Plate magnets are used in the removal of ferrous tramp iron shavings out of free flowing foods such as sugar, corn and flour; they are also used to for optimum separation of metals from gravel and granular plastic. These large, heavy flat plates are designed to be suspended above the area where the materials pass below them. They have eyebolts built into the top and are designed to hang from a steel beam over the area. These plates can also be installed below conveyor drive pulleys to catch the impurities that fall from the open belts. Although they come in various sizes, they are still too large and heavy to be handled manually. Machinery is used to install and adjust the plates to specification for efficient usage.
The way the process works is a conveyor belt moves the materials along toward the processing machinery or through a chute and as they pass under the magnets any tramp metals will be plucked out. Metals can wreck the machinery and be a huge expense to repair or replace. Installing the plate magnets is much cheaper than replacing the expensive equipment. They usually come with kits for hanging that include a pre-drilled hinge, spacer bar, latch and miscellaneous hardware. This will ensure easy installation of the magnets.
The plate magnets can be cut to size which is a huge benefit to the purchaser. The company does not have to worry about having to install a magnet too small for the job or too large for the area where the magnet needs to be placed. The correct size of magnets is imperative for them to work efficiently. There are many styles to choose from according to the needs of the industry. Magnets for conveyors chute and free flowing will have different needs. The magnets can also be purchase with self cleaning mechanisms.
When working with the magnets, installing them or working underneath them, one should always wear the correct safety equipment. There are safety checks that can be placed below the magnets to catch them if they fall, although if installed correctly it should not happen. Any time someone is working underneath a heavy object suspended in air they should wear hard hats for safety.
The plate magnets come with a lifetime rating so they do not have to be replaced if maintained properly and kept clean. They are a cost-effective purchase for any industry that specializes in loose materials handling. There are many online sites that specialize in the magnets. When needing assistance to find the right magnet for your industry it is always best to call and consult with someone. They will be glad to assist in any way they can to help with your decision.
