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How are lifting magnets regularly used?
Any industry that needs to handle and transport a large amount of ferrous material makes frequent use of these devices. The metalworking, recycling, part fabrication, automotive, aerospace and mining industries, among others, often install these devices for use in processing facilities. No matter where they are installed, though, they can support a huge number of tasks, from gathering tons of scrap for reclamation to lifting a single metal piece out of a container.
What are the advantages of using lifting magnets over mechanical carriers?
These devices can be built in nearly any size so they can be designed to any scale or process. Because they need no clamp, sling or chain to provide the grabbing force, they can pick up a huge, bulky item that would otherwise be inaccessible by mechanical carriers. For example, metalworking facilities often have to move large slabs of metal from a pallet, and the space between each piece is minute. Positioning a sling, chain or clamp to remove a single slab means workers will have to pick at least up one side to provide space for the mechanical carrier. This wastes time and exposes workers to severe repetitive stress injuries or accidents.
Magnetic devices, however, can be placed directly over the ferrous material and removed from a container or a pallet of other parts with ease. This also eliminates the need to drill holes into the metal and install eyebolts for easier transport. Drilling and installing eyebolts is also time consuming and the bolts will eventually need to be removed, and the holes filled. With these devices, though, all of this is unnecessary.
What kinds of lifting magnets are available?
These carriers are available in two major designs. Permanent devices use powerful rare earth materials to create grabbing force and don’t require power to function. Electrically-activated devices use an electrical current to create grabbing force and can easily be switch on and off. This makes for easier material handling and precise device control. However, these devices need constant power to function and will immediately lose their ability to secure the material if power is interrupted.
For this reason, manufacturers often include a backup permanent device in the event of a power loss. Battery backup systems can also protect workers should power be cut. This gives the operator about 20 extra minutes to safely place the metal.
What maintenance do these tools require?
Heat and wear can both permanently change how these devices behave, so they should be regularly audited to verify they are still operating at peak capacity. Any dirt or other soil will also affect the device’s power, so they need to be cleaned off regularly.
If there are any backup systems present, they must frequently be checked. Battery backups can lose their effectiveness over time, and this can result in major safety issues should the battery backup need to be engaged. Verifying it is in good working condition regularly will ensure there are no safety hazards present.
These devices are invaluable for improving efficiency and protecting workers from injury. In many ways, they have rendered mechanical carrier technologies obsolete.
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