We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Conveyor Magnet?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,440
Share

A conveyor magnet traps magnetic material as it moves along a production line. The range of metal types targeted by the magnet can depend on how it is constructed, and may include ferrous and nonferrous materials. These magnets can be added to an existing conveyor line, or built into a new conveyor product from the ground up. Once installed, the maintenance needs are typically minimal.

One use for a conveyor magnet is in quality control. Magnets can pull stray metal scraps out of foodstuffs, powders, and other materials as they are processed. This ensures that they are not contaminated, and will be approved for use. Scraps of metal can potentially ruin an entire batch of a product if they are not caught in time, resulting in costly waste because the company may be obliged to discard the load.

Materials separation can also be accomplished with a conveyor magnet. This tool is used in locations like recycling centers to pull some materials out of the sorting stream as early as possible. A common configuration uses an overhead magnet which hovers over the processing line, attracting magnetic materials and removing them. It can be moved over another conveyor and triggered to release the load of metal.

Such tools can also be useful for the protection of machinery. In environments where metals are worked, large amounts of scrap metal and powder may be in circulation. These can damage equipment by jamming and creating other problems. The conveyor magnet can keep the worksite clean, reducing the risk that pieces of metal with foul the rest of the equipment. It can be periodically emptied to recycle the metal scraps or take them to another facility for disposal.

Magnets can be shipped as grates, plates, or overhead units, depending on the application. Grates can be useful for materials processing, as they allow the material to flow through the grate and on to the next stage of production while trapping the metal. Plates and overhead units may be useful for separation of larger metal components. Conveyor magnet manufacturers may be able to produce units of custom size and shape for specialized applications where standard products may not be appropriate.

Technicians may need to exercise caution around a conveyor magnet. Some are extremely strong and could create a risk of injury by entrapping both people and equipment. The area around the device may need to be kept clear for safety.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-conveyor-magnet.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.