Across all industrial sectors, keeping products pure and shielding equipment from metal debris is the top priority. Plate magnets can help achieve these goals. These strong magnets are made to take out iron-based impurities from materials as they're processed. This keeps products pure and shields costly equipment from harm. But what is a plate magnet, and how do you pick the right magnetic plate separator for what you need? This guide will take you through all you should know about it.
What Is a Plate Magnet?
Plate magnets are flat magnetic devices that catch and remove unwanted metal bits from various materials. They're often set up over conveyor belts, chutes, and hoppers in places that handle bulk materials. The plate magnet uses its magnetic power to pull in and hold onto iron-based junk, keeping it from moving further down the production line.
There are different types of plate magnets, including custom magnets designed to meet particular industrial needs. Depending on their purpose, magnets vary in strength. Stronger magnets are typically used in industries where even small metal chips can cause extensive damage.
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Applications of Plate Magnets
Now that you know what is a plate magnet, let's explore its applications.
Plate magnets have been discovered to be widely used in some industries for product quality and equipment protection. Some prominent sectors include.
Food Processing
Plate magnets help in removing metal particles from foodstuffs to comply with safety standards such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). Plate magnets are typically installed in hoppers, chutes, or conveyors to prevent small metal particles from contaminating food items such as grains, spices, and dairy products.
Recycling & Waste Management
These magnets play a crucial role in the segregation of ferrous metals from non-metallic waste streams. They improve the effectiveness of sorting plants by removing nails, screws, and other iron-based waste from plastics, glass, and other recyclable items.
Pharmaceutical Industry
During pharmaceutical manufacturing, even the smallest metal particles can contaminate the integrity of drug products. Plate magnets help entrap such particles, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and quality measures.
Plastic & Rubber Manufacturing
Metal impurities cause rubber and plastic product flaws. By having plate magnets at the beginning of the production line, manufacturers can prevent damage to machines and improve product quality.
Mining & Aggregate Processing
Plate magnets are used to extract unwanted ferrous material from ores, producing cleaner products and reducing wear to grinding and crushing equipment.
Chemical Processing
The majority of chemical processing industries require metallic impurities to be removed from raw materials to preserve the purity of the product and avoid reactions that would make the final product weak.
Each industry may be unique in the type of plate magnets used based on the material flow characteristics and level of metal contamination.
Uses of Plate Magnets
There are many plate magnet uses, where most common are as follows.
Prevention of machine damage
Ferrous contaminants can result in serious damage of processing equipment such as grinders, crushers, and mixers. Plate magnets capture these contaminants before entering sensitive equipment, extending equipment life and reducing repair costs.
Product purity guarantee
In the food, drug, and chemical industries, even trace metal particles can lead to product recalls and safety hazards. Plate magnets provide a viable means of maintaining high-quality standards.
Greater operational efficiency
By reducing downtime caused by machinery breakdowns from metal contamination, plate magnets ensure a smoother and more efficient operation.
Improve workplace safety
Sharp pieces of metal may be hazards for workers. Plate magnets in material handling are instrumental in ensuring a safer working area by removing harmful metal shavings. Take a glance at GME's suspended magnets solution for efficient metal separation.
Selecting the Most Suitable Plate Magnet for Your Application
Knowing what is a plate magnet is not enough. The right plate magnet is decided upon on some extremely important factors.
Type of Material Flow
Consider if the material is free-flowing, adhesive, or heavy. Plate magnets operate best when placed where material flow is constant. In the case of free-flowing material, an ordinary plate magnet would suffice, but adhesive or wet material would require a self-cleaning variety.
Magnet Strength
The power of a plate magnet is measured in gauss. Stronger magnets are required for use in removal applications involving fine metal particles. Rare-earth high-intensity magnets are recommended where there is a need for fine filtration in an industry, but ordinary ceramic magnets apply to big chunks of metal.
Installation Position
Plate magnets are installed in different positions overhead, below the conveyor belt, or within chutes and hoppers. Overhead suspended magnets are most suitable for the continuous removal of metal contaminants, while in-line magnetic separators work well for separation in closed circuits.
Size and Dimensions
The magnet needs to be as wide as the entire width of the conveyor belt or chute to achieve maximum metal separation. It is recommended to compare the size of the plate magnet with the processing line requirements particular to it.
Operating Environment
Some applications such as food processing employ stainless steel or sanitary-grade magnets to meet cleaning needs. There are corrosion-proof magnets required by industries that subject them to wet conditions or aggressive chemicals.
Cleaning Ease
Choose between manually cleaned or self-cleaned magnets based on your ease of working. Manual cleaned models require the removal of accumulated metal periodically, while self-cleaned plate magnets automatically release trapped filth.
Comparison of Different Plate Magnet Types
Plate magnets have various designs suited to specific industrial applications.
General Plate Magnets
They are the most widespread design, made for general use in bulk materials handling where light ferrous metal removal is in demand. General plate magnets can be utilized in food processing, plastics, and recycling sectors.
Suspended Magnets
They are installed above conveyor belts to remove metal impurities continuously without hindering the flow of material. They are used in mining, recycling, and wood processing industries.
Magnetic Plate Separators
They are used in applications of high volume where higher magnetic separation is required. They assist in removing impurities with higher efficiency in industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and mining.
Custom Magnets
Some industries require plate magnets specially designed to fit specific applications. Custom solutions allow flexibility in terms of size, strength, and installation to meet industry-specific demands.
For custom plate magnet separators.
Where to Buy the Right Plate Magnet
Understanding what is a plate magnet and selecting the right one for your specific industrial applications is critical to maintaining product quality and protecting equipment. When buying plate magnets, quality and reliability should be at the top of your priority list. GME provides industrial plate magnets made for various purposes, ensuring outstanding metal separation. Browse through our extensive portfolio of magnetic plate separators and magnetic boards to determine what best suits the needs of your business. Whether you are looking for a standard solution or custom magnets, we have it all.