Learn More About Plate Magnets

Plate magnets are essential for many industrial processes in most industries. Their use in industrial processes ensures that products are not contaminated and the conveyor machine systems do not break down. Plate magnets are used to remove tramp iron and other ferromagnetic materials during the process of mass production of products. The magnets pick out ferromagnetic materials as the products move along a conveyor system. These magnets can be used to remove metals from sugar, plastic, newspapers, flour, medicine or any other product that is assembled or produced using a conveyor system. By removing lumpy and abrasive elements, the plate magnets ensure that the system is not choked or worn out faster than expected. The separators can be installed above or below the conveyor as required.

This separation process using magnets is the backbone of any industrial process as virtually every industrial process requires a conveyor belt system to facilitate production. The use of conveyor belts began in the 19th century but they system used then was cumbersome and primitive compared to what is being used today. The system was invented by Richard Sutcliffe in 1905 for use in the advanced mining and production of coal in the US. Ford motor company later on, in 1913, started using conveyor belts when the proprietor, Henry Ford started using it in his vehicle manufacturing plant. In 2008, Siemens introduced the longest running airport conveyor system for handling luggage at Dubai International Airport. The longest conveyor belt system running on one belt in the world runs from Bangladesh to India and covers 11 miles. It is used to transport limestone and shale from a quarry in India to a cement processing factory in Bangladesh.





A conveyor system is used for a number of important functions in a factory. As mentioned earlier, it is used for separation. Other uses are sorting, labeling, dispensing, inspecting, stacking, diverting, reading bar codes, merging, counting, transportation of products among other important functions. An industrial process will have an extremely low output if all the processes involved were to be carried out manually without the use of conveyor belts. Without the use of plate magnets, the conveyor belt system will have a very short life. Industrial processes involved in production of plastic products, food and chemicals are made error free by using plate magnets.

Stainless steel is used to make plate magnets. This material is preferred because it is a durable and strong material. Their are designed to swing freely with ease away from the conveyor belt for cleaning. They can be cleaned either manually or automatically. Most high volume industries prefer to suspend plate magnets above the conveyor to get rid of impurities before the manufactured item makes its way down the chute. There are many different types, size and shapes of suspended conveyor belts. Plate magnets must be used in any safe industrial process in order to increase efficiency, production and cut down on  production costs.