How can you separate metal parts after product intake?

The separation of metal parts after product intake can be done with a magnet or with a metal detector. That depends on the type of metal

• Magnet

With a magnet it is possible to remove steel / iron, nickel and stainless steel with a ferritic crystal structure from the product due to the magnetic attraction. The magnet can be placed in a falling product flow or in a conveyor belt.

If the magnet is placed in the product flow, it is continuously present. This magnet will have to be cleaned regularly to maintain its magnetic function. This cleaning step can be performed manually, semi- or fully automatic.

The magnet is placed in a conveyor belt for larger product flows and larger metal parts. The last roller of the conveyor belt is fitted with a magnet. During the throw-off, the metal “sticks” and ends up in a slightly different place than the product.

Stainless steels of austenitic or martensitic material structure are hardly attracted by a magnet. Only small deformed / damaged parts are slightly attracted because the material structure is damaged. A metal detector is a more suitable solution for these materials.

• Metal detector

With a metal detector it is possible to separate all metals from the product flow. This is an advantage over a magnet. Steel is the easiest to detect. A metal detector works by first magnetizing the material with a coil. A second coil detects changes in the magnetic field. If a change is detected, an alarm goes off or the reject valve / reject valve opens.

If the metal detector has a falling product flow in place, an alarm is triggered upon detection and the reject / reject valve is activated.

A metal detector can also be on or around a conveyor belt.