Important Facts for the Safe Operation of Lift Magnets

Load characteristics other than just weight must be considered to determine the safe weight that any magnet can lift.

This statement is true for any lifting magnet because they all operate using the same fundamental laws of physics. Magnetic power is often pictured as lines of magnetic force flowing from the north pole to the south pole. Anything that limits the flow of these magnetic lines of force obviously reduces the magnets’ lifting ability. There are four important factors that limit the flow of these lines of force.

LOAD SURFACE CONDITIONS

Magnetic lines of force do not flow easily through air; they need iron to flow freely. Therefore, anything that creates an air gap between a magnet and the load limits the flow of magnetic force and thus reduces the lifting capacity of a magnet.

Paper, dirt, rust, paint, and scale behave similarly to air. Also, a rough surface finish is equivalent to dirt because it creates an air gap between the magnet and the load.

LOAD LENGTH OR WIDTH

When the length or width of a load increases, it ceases to lie flat, and the load begins to droop at the edges. This drooping or sagging of the load can create an air gap between the load and the magnet. If this occurs, then the lifting capacity of the magnet is reduced.

LOAD THICKNESS

Magnetic lines of force are more effective when they flow through iron instead of air. The thicker the load is, the more lines of magnetic force can flow. After a certain thickness of load, no more lines of force will flow because the magnet has reached its full capacity.

Thin material (load) means less iron available and thus fewer lines of magnetic force flow from the magnet into the load. Therefore, the lifting ability of the magnet is reduced.

Every magnet should be rated to tell the user what minimum thickness of load is required to reach full lifting capacity. Below such a thickness of load, the user knows he must de-rate the lifting capacity of the magnet.

LOAD ALLOY

Low carbon steels, such as 1020 steel, are nearly as good conductors of magnetic lines of force as pure iron. However, many other alloys contain non-magnetic materials that reduce the ability of magnetic lines of force to flow into the load. An alloy such as the 300 series of stainless steel is almost as poor a conductor of magnetic force as air.

Type 416 stainless steel is considered magnetic, but it contains enough chromium so that it can only conduct one-half as much magnetic force as 1020 steel. The carbon content of cast iron reduces the flow to one-half of the magnetic force of 1020 steel.

With every lifting application, careful consideration should be given to each of these factors as well as specifications that may be unique to the material, environmental factors, and safe operation of lift magnets to ensure operator safety as well as efficient lifting practices.

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Obsidian Manufacturing Industries, Inc. is a Rockford, IL, manufacturing company and is the OEM for Magna-Lock USA workholding, MagnaLift & Power-Grip lift magnets, and Arter Precision Grinding Machines, as well as providing surface grinding services. They are located at 5015 28th Ave. in Rockford, IL, with a phone number of 815-962-8700. Check out more at obsidianmfg.com/brands