Magnet Consideration Before Investment
Magnetic separation can save you time, money and lost productivity, but there’s a lot to consider before making a purchase.
A magnet is just a magnet right? Wrong. There are many options to consider depending on your facility, machinery and the material that you are separating.
What is the maximum lump size and the consistency of the material that you are processing? Does it vary in size? Answers to these questions will make a difference to the type of magnet needed to yield the best extraction possible.
Burden depth is vitally important and critical information needed for designing a magnet system that will effectively reach through the product flow and capture tramp metal. How fast is the material flowing (exposure time in the magnetic field)? The volumetric flow rate will aid in correctly sizing a magnet that will offer your product maximum magnetic exposure.
As the material flows what is the minimum angle needed to keep it flowing? Is bridging a concern? What is the moisture content of your product? Does it clump, cake or stick together? These characteristics often cause the product to have difficulty flowing and opening up for tramp metal extraction.
What is your main concern regarding tramp metal contamination? Protecting your equipment, product purity, capturing large ferrous metal items or just fine metal filings? Your objective will influence the type of magnet that is used. Do you have specific space constraints where the magnet will be positioned? A custom magnet made to fit into your exact space is a consideration. On your existing processing equipment are there weight limitations? Does it require additional framework to support the magnet? Once metal is captured, will the magnetic separator retain the tramp metal? Is wipe off a concern?
One of the last considerations before making your magnet purchase is how will the tramp metal be removed from the magnet? If it is a manual clean will operation/maintenance personnel be able to access the magnet and will it be easy enough for them to clean regularly? A difficult magnet to access and clean usually gets neglected and will ultimately become ineffective. Keep in mind that rare earth magnets are very difficult to clean manually due to the incredibly strong magnetic attraction. Consideration of a self cleaning may be the way to go.
What magnet will suit your processing requirements? So with all these considerations how do you make the right decision?
Contact a trained and experienced magnetic separation specialist at Innovative Magnetic Technologies to discuss your tramp metal and magnet separation needs. If we don’t have the ideal solution in our existing inventory, we’ll create a custom design product just for your company.