Magnetic Sheet Separation and Material Handling for Stamping, Blanking and Other Fabrication Operations

In Booth A3067, Industrial Magnetics Inc. (Boyne City, MI) will display their diverse line of magnetic sheet separation fanners for a wide variety of industrial applications. The Air Spring Magnetic Fanner (ASF) is ideal for many industries, including automotive, office furniture, appliance, stamping and fabrication. It features a powerful, rare earth permanent circuit to fit a wide variety of applications from 30 ga sheets to 3/16 in plate. An industrial, welded stainless cover means a sturdy product that will survive challenging environments. An innovative on/off indicator alerts the operator as to whether or not the fanner is safe to operate or transport or whether it is safe to perform maintenance in the surrounding work cell. The ASF Series features a unique on/off system that pushes the magnetic circuit into the operating position when air pressure is present. When the air pressure is turned off, disconnected or unexpectedly interrupted, the magnetic circuit will return to “off/fail-safe” mode. This minimizes the risk of having metal accidently attracted to the fanner during transportation or stack changeovers.

The next-generation Sheet Seeker fanner features a patented, sliding mechanism that allows the powerful rare earth magnetic circuit to index down automatically as sheets are removed from the stack. By efficiently focusing the magnetic circuit right where it’s needed, the overall weight of the unit was reduced by 60 percent compared to traditional permanent fanners with the same fanning strength. The Sheet Seeker’s lightweight design features a convenient carry handle for user-friendly transport and allows safe and efficient mid-stack changeover of blanking lines. Custom designs and options are available upon request, including an on/off magnetic base with roller cam release in place of the standard mounting bracket.

Also on display will be patented Transporters that magnetically transfer metal blanks, stampings and parts in automated station-to-station, press-to-press transfer or robotic pick-and-place applications. Engineered with powerful rare earth magnets that positively hold the part during transfer – even during unexpected loss of shop air – the Transporter family greatly reduces chances for slipping and shifting of parts due to mill oil coatings, dust, dirt, rust or weld splatter. They also provide more options for pick-up points on stamped, perforated and odd-shaped parts, and they offer a significant reduction over vacuum and suction cups in shop air costs. In addition, all three lines in the Transporter family offer more accurate placement on the die and quicker cycle times for increased production.

The Original Transporter is designed for use on heavier gauge, non-flexing parts and uses a single burst of shop air to actuate the magnet. It is available in three standard sizes with holding capacities up to 670 lb. The Transporter LP allows for minimal die clearance and can be easily installed to existing air connections on tooling booms or robotic faceplates. Transporter LP magnets are designed to directly replace vacuum cups with only minor tooling adjustments. Ideal for material handling applications in the appliance, automotive, office furniture and numerous other industries, the Transporter LP is next-generation sheet handling technology that only requires a short, single burst of shop air to quickly release parts. It is available in three standard sizes, with the strongest unit holding up to 162 lb. Included in the LP line is the TPLP50, a 5 in, low-profile Transporter that is ideal for lifting thin sheets. It is also available with a de-stacking option that features a special magnetic circuit, designed to de-stack metal sheets as thin at 0.030 in (22 ga).

The latest addition is the Transporter MV (MagVac) end-of-arm tooling, combining vacuum and magnet technology to lift and hold all shapes and types of steel in stamping, blanking and press-to-press transfer applications. The Transporter MV is ideal for facilities with mixed-use metals where the magnet can be utilized in conjunction with the vacuum for ferrous parts, and the vacuum can work on non-ferrous materials, eliminating downtime for tooling changes. Each Transporter is million-cycle-tested for endurance and incorporates a fail-safe feature that prevents the magnet from releasing ferrous parts in the event of air loss. IMI specializes in custom designs, providing Transporter products for coil lifting, banded material handling and other challenging applications. A full line of accessories and fittings are also available.

Industrial Magnetics Inc., 1385 M-75 South, Boyne City, MI 49712-9689, 231-582-3100, www.magnetics.com.