3. Permanent Lifting Magnets - Types
Ceramic Magnets
These are made through sintering and pressing method. They basically
consist of iron oxide and barium. If you are looking for a functional low
cost lifting magnet, this could be a great choice for you. The affordability
of ceramic magnets is probably one of the factors making it the most
widely used lifting magnet today.
Samarium Cobalt Magnets
Unlike the ceramic magnets, samarium cobalt magnets are generally very
expensive. Some factories however, especially those dealing with items
that require high resistance to temperature and corrosion, have to use this
type of magnets. Samarium cobalt magnets are made from rare earth
metals and as such have very high magnetic strength. This type of
permanent lifting magnet has excellent resistance to temperature.
Neodymium Iron Boron Magnets
These too are made from rare earth metals and have very high magnetic
strength. Unlike the samarium cobalt however, Neodymium iron boron
magnets are easily oxidized and their resistance to temperature is also
much lower. These magnets have lower manufacturing costs and they
can be molded into compact designs
4. Permanent Lifting Magnets - Types
Injection Molded Magnets
These magnets are made of resin and magnetic powder through the
process of injection molding. For factories desiring complex designed
magnets, this might be the best option they will get. They are however low
energy meaning that their magnetic strength is considerably lower than
other types of permanent lifting magnets.
Alnico Magnets
These magnets are made of nickel, cobalt and aluminum. Small portions
of other elements are also incorporated in the making of these magnets.
They are produced by sintering and casting where castings ensure that
they have superior energy and sintering gives them excellent mechanical
characteristics. These magnets can easily be demagnetized but they have
pretty strong resistance to demagnetization as a result of shock.
Flexible Magnets
As the name suggests, these magnets are very flexible but this depends
on the material used in producing them. Their production is very similar to
that of injection molded magnets except that these are made into flat
strips and sometimes sheets. They have very low magnetic strength and
therefore ensure to read the manufacturers’ manual to know exactly which
type of loads can be lifted using these magnets.
5. Permanent Lifting Magnets vs.
Electromagnets
Advantages of permanent lifting magnets over electromagnets
The major advantage of permanent lifting magnets is the fact that they do not
require electric power to make them magnetic and therefore they can operate just
fine in areas where electric power is not available or when power fails. This makes
permanent lifting magnets relatively cheaper than equivalent electromagnet as they
have minimum if any maintenance cost.
Another advantage is that they are usually designed with wide or long surfaces and
as such provide a wider area for magnetic coverage. This coupled with its constant
magnetic strength makes permanent magnets perfected for lifting materials of
varied sizes and shapes.
Where work parts have to be lifted very high, permanent magnets have superior
functionality than electromagnets as they are far much lighter than the later. This
characteristic also makes them far much safer than electromagnets in such
scenarios as the risk of them dropping the item is minimized.
Electrical contact in electromagnets may cause problems that eventually
deteriorate the magnets. This is not the case with permanent lifting magnets. These
magnets also do not cause damages to test pieces as seen in electromagnets.
6. Permanent Lifting Magnets vs.
Electromagnets
Disadvantages of Permanent lifting magnets
These magnets are very durable but they are disadvantaged in that they
deteriorate with wear. When this happen, they will lose their magnetism and thus
become a danger to work with. This will necessitate replacement which a costly
process. The fact that permanent magnets retain their magnetism could be a pro
as well as a con. Its downside is witnessed when the target load has been lifted
and magnet has to be literally pulled off the item. In electromagnet, this tedious
process is not necessary as all you simply need to do is to turn the switch off and
once the current stops flowing in the insulated wire coil, it loses its magnetism and
the item is immediately released.
Another major disadvantages of permanent lifting magnet compared to
electromagnet is the fact that you have absolutely no control over field strength.
Changing magnetic field to suit the item that you want to work on is however
possible in electromagnets. This is done by simply controlling the current that flows
through the coil of wire rapped across the core of the ferromagnetic material.
Permanent magnets are sensitive to air spaces and they function better where
there are no air spaces between it and the item being lifted. However, these
magnets tend to attract unwanted ferromagnetic metals and other materialist the
poles and therefore creates spaces that may reduce lifting capacity of the magnet.
These items have to be pulled out for the magnet to lift a load and this is tedious.
7. Permanent Rotary Magnetic Chucks –
In a Nut Shell
Distinguishing Electromagnetic from Permanent Magnetic
Chucks
Permanent rotary magnetic chuck is different from an
electromagnetic chuck in a number of ways but both are
generally very powerful if used in the appropriate application.
While electromagnet chucks attach and detach work pieces by
simply switch on and off the current, a permanent rotary
magnetic chuck has a more permanent hold on the work piece
and once it is attached, you will be required to pull it off in case
you want to detach it. It is also possible to adjust the holding
power in electromagnetic chucks by simply controlling the
current flowing through the wire coil, but in a permanent rotary
magnetic chuck, this cannot be done. Unlike the permanent
magnetic chucks, the electromagnetic chucks have an
interlocking property that makes them very easy to operate.
8. Permanent Rotary Magnetic Chucks –
In a Nut Shell
Types of Permanent Magnetic Chucks
Increased competition in the magnets manufacturing
industry coupled with varying customer demands and
technological advancement, a variety of permanent rotary
magnetic chucks can be found in the market today.
Depending on the application that you want to use the
magnetic chucks on, you can be sure to get one that will
just be right for you. Some manufacturers even go the
extra mile of custom making the magnetic chuck for you
in an event that you want additional or special features
added to it.