Benefits of Magnetic Lifting Equipment

There are a number of advantages associated with using lifting magnets in comparison to those traditional hoists, hooks and chains. The two main benefits however feature on matters of safety and enhanced efficiency. When you think that a lifting magnet will simply attach to the load you realize that you don’t have to struggle with a lot of hand-on involvement, something that greatly reduces chances of damage to the material or product. This factor also allows for grater accessibility as opposed to when you use a chain or a sling. The way magnetic lifters ease portability, general use and accessibility have all contributed to more efficient operations thus requiring less handling and more lifting time.

When you are dealing with a load that is too heavy, electromagnet devices are normally used. However, they require a continuous power supply in the form of direct current in order to generate a continuous electromagnetic field that will maintain an attractive force. Should the current be interrupted in any way, the load being hoisted could be released. Lifting magnets of this kind are normally used with an incorporated emergency battery so as to avoid any accidents as a result and accidental switching off during a power outage. Electromagnetic lifters can carry loads of up to 11,000 pounds and the electromagnetic field can easily be adjusted to make it stronger or weaker as the need arises.

The typical permanent lifting magnets normally have safe working loads of not more than 5000 pounds but there are a few cases where you can safely lift up to 10,000 pounds. This type of magnetic lifter has constant strength and you can easily turn it on or off. The permanent magnetic lifter is portable because it is more compact and doesn’t require an electricity connection to create a magnetic field. And because they don’t depend on a direct electricity connection to run, it will not drop a load when there is a power outage as a result of accidental switching. Weaker devices are switched on and off using a lever but the stronger ones are more difficult to handle if you are trying to activate or deactivate one.

The safe weight load of a magnetic lifter depends on a number of factors such as the material being lifted, its length and thickness as well as the surface conditions such as the material’s temperature and the completeness of contact between the materials and the lifting device and of course whether there are multiple pieces being picked at once. Magnetic lifters are very effective when they are used on ferrous metals and especially those that have higher amounts of iron such as steel and nickel. You will also find a listed SWL by the manufacturer and this assumes you are dealing with a clean piece of steel of a particular thickness that will be able to absorb the energy. This is an attractive option for anyone who is tired of using hoists, hooks and slings for lifting.