Industrial Uses of Magnets – Types of Cranes Used in Steel-Making

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One of the more common industrial uses of magnets takes place during the steel making process. Handling scrap metal, melting it down, and pouring liquid steel are dangerous tasks that benefit greatly from industrial lifting magnets. Different types of cranes are beneficial for different parts of the steel-making workflow. Read on to learn more about which cranes are used in the steel industry and how they are used. 

Electromagnetic Crane

An electromagnetic crane is an effective type of equipment used in the steel industry. They are used to lift, handle, and move metals. An electric current is sent through the large lifting magnet, providing a powerful magnetic attraction that can lift heavy steel and iron. These can be used in any situation that requires industrial metal lifting. They are often found in scrap yards and recycling plants but have many lifting applications beyond that. These cranes require a reliable power supply that keeps the magnets magnetized with a steady electric current. 

While steel making is among the more common industrial uses of magnets, special consideration of temperatures must be taken for proper magnet operation. Extreme heat can reduce the lifting capacity of a lifting magnet, so stronger magnets are required for similar weight applications in high-temperature situations.

Gantry Crane

A gantry crane is a type of overhead crane with a girder system supported by freestanding legs that move on wheels or along a track or rail system. They have industrial uses for magnets but can also use hooks or vacuum lifting systems, depending on the application. They are a lightweight, affordable, and maneuverable option. Adjustable gantry cranes are used in the processes of metal welding and fabrication. There are track-mounted gantry cranes that can be used for lifting heavy materials or metal fabrication equipment.

Charge Crane

Charge cranes are also utilized in the industrial magnetic lifting. These floor-mounted or overhead crane systems carry scrap and ore to steel melting furnaces. Floor mounted cranes are often used in larger applications where the furnace has over a 150-ton capacity. Overhead charge cranes are made for smaller furnace capacities, around 20 to 150 tons. Charge cranes can transfer material by using hooks or lifting magnets designed for high temperatures. 

Ladle Cranes

Ladle cranes aren’t typically among the most common industrial uses for magnets, often using hooks instead. Ladle cranes carry molten metal from the furnace into a converter and a refining furnace for fabrication. Different scales of production use different rail and girder systems. Larger scale productions will use four girders and 4 or 6 rails while smaller applications may only require double girder/double rail systems.

Expert Industrial Uses of Magnets

Regardless of the type of magnet your business needs, Permadur Industries is here to help. Our staff can work with you to determine the best solution for your particular needs and will help educate and train your staff on the differences in the application and use of our equipment correctly, effectively, and safely.  

Our team of engineers can design and install our systems based on the specific needs of your company’s unique application. This process ensures that the product you purchase is designed specifically for your needs and you understand all the characteristics of our lifting equipment before you ever “flip the switch” and that our equipment is properly integrated into your work environment.

We are an American manufacturer of below-the-hook lifting equipment that specializes in permanent lifting magnets. We offer magnets in bipolar, tripolar and five polar orientations enabling us to tailor the design of the magnet system to your specific lifting needs.  We are also here to support your needs year after year with maintenance after installation support. Contact us for more information.