Industrial magnets are used in a variety of businesses. An industrial magnet can be used for sorting through scrap or finding rare earth minerals. The magnetic material can be found in parts of common machinery, such as industrial printers.

Industrial magnetic materials are often much stronger than regular magnets but still come in a variety of shapes, sizes and strengths for different uses. The pricing and costs of industrial magnets will depend on the features of the magnet. To find the best industrial magnetics, consider the following features:

1. The shape of the industrial magnets for sale.

2. The size of each magnet.

3. The strength of the magnet, which determines its function.

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Choose the right shape of industrial magnet for your application

The shape of an industrial magnet is important for a variety of reasons. If the magnet needs to fit within a specific area, the right shape will make all the difference. Magnets come in many shapes, including cubs, spheres, plates and cylinders. Make sure to measure the space where the magnet will go before choosing the shape you need. The price of specialty shapes can cost up to $900 or more.

I recommend: Applied Magnets is a provider of wholesale industrial magnets that come in a variety of shapes for all different projects. IPES International provides detailed specs and other information on magnets used in industrial settings.

Buy industrial magnets that are the right size for the job

Shape and size go hand in hand when it comes to industrial magnets. The right size will be able to fit the project at hand. Size can also give you an idea of the magnet's strength. The size of industrial magnets varies widely and is often the biggest determining factor when it comes to price. Magnets under 1 inch usually cost under $2, while larger magnets with a lot more strength start at $200.

I recommend: Armstrong Magnetics provides custom sizing on industrial magnets, plus carries a large selection of stock sizes. Magnets and Magnetic Equipment provides an outline of what an industrial magnet is, as well as sizes, shapes and common applications.

Commission custom industrial magnets for your machinery

The third important factor for industrial magnets is their function, and this usually corresponds to the magnet's strength as well. Magnets can be used as tiny parts in large machines, or they can be used on their own if they function as separators and sweepers. Strong industrial magnets can cost $900 and up.

I recommend: Industrial Magnetics provides lifting and separating magnets that range in strength from picking up 100 to 6,600 pounds of flat material. You can find other uses for magnets by reading this article from How Magnets Work!.

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• •  If your business wants an even better deal on the price of magnetics for sale, check out resources where you can buy used industrial magnets and magnetic material.

From time to time, your business may go looking for ways to subvert that pervasive natural law we call gravity. As a result, manufacturers have kept evolving new types of industrial magnets to help get the job done. Magnetic material, as a part of physics, is used in a variety of industries, and online suppliers sell both large and small versions according to the task at hand.

Business managers use industrial magnets to:

1. Sort and separate materials on a conveyor or in a hopper, including domestic waste, ferrous/nonferrous materials and product parts.
2. Outfit power tools for holding building materials in place during phases of a construction process.
3. Lift heavy metal objects like vehicles for transport in junkyard and into compactors.

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Find out about neodymium magnets

Neodymium magnets are frequently cited as the premium type of industrial magnet today. Industrial specialists call neodymiums 'rare-earth' magnets. They're composed of elements from the periodic table, and they can be put to good use in your shop, but if improperly used, they present a real safety risk. Get involved in finding out how to correctly use neodymiums in the workplace.

I recommend: MagCraft's information page gives potential buyers an overview of the neodymium magnet and general information on magnets. K and J Magnets sells a range of neodymiums online; buyers can browse scale-identified thumbnails to find products for their shops.

Get heavy lifting industrial magnets

For junkyards, salvage yards, auto dealerships, and other heavy industrial areas, you'll be looking for a neodymium industrial magnet that can deliver an iron grip. Look for web-based deals with companies that advertise 'lifting magnets' with proper specifications.

I recommend: View Earth-Chain's catalog of EZ Lift Magnets, crafted to latch onto high tonnage. L. K. Goodwin offers magnets for sale including a variety of lifting magnets with mechanical features for transporting goods.

Find custom magnets for assembly lines and conveyors

Other indoor jobs require smaller magnets for sorting materials: these magnets need to be just the right strength for the job and appropriately placed for best results. Take a look at the products offered online to enhance your assembly or parts sorting process.

I recommend: Longji's page has an assortment of industrial magnets; the page shows how magnetic material is used on multiple belts to spot-select parts on a line. Radial Magnet Inc. offers customized neodymium industrial magnets for business solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Train all employees on your magnets. Especially with lifting magnets, safety training is essential. Because of the relatively unstable nature of magnetics, any ambiguity can cause real problems. Take a lot of consideration into employee safety when adding a large-scale magnet to your operation.

An industrial magnet is a tool used in a variety of applications. Magnetic material helps sort and separate metals in scrap recycling, conveyor systems and at demolition sites. Industrial magnets for sale can range in size from small, rare earth magnets to large materials handling magnets. Industrial magnetics are easy to use but can pose dangers depending on the size and strength of a particular magnet.

Industrial magnetics are easy to use but can be dangerous if the magnet is large and strong enough. Information on magnets used in industrial applications is available through the magnet manufacturers and other resources. To train employees in operation and maintenance, look for industrial magnets education and training through:

1. A magnetic material distributor that offers educational resources.

2. Industry events and conferences that provide educational opportunities.

3. Workshops and seminars that teach skills for working with industrial magnets.

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Learn more about industrial magnetic materials through industry events

Attending industry events is a great way to begin learning about industrial magnets and magnetic materials. These events can include conferences, trade shows and other networking opportunities. Many conferences and events host educational seminars and speeches that provide information on the latest techniques and industrial magnets technology.

I recommend: The IEEE Magnetics Society provides an annual magnetic conference, and also posts educational information from past conferences. Magnetics Magazine offers the annual Magnetics Conference that provides basic and advanced industrial magnet training over three days.

Attend seminars to learn how to use custom industrial magnets

Many organizations also offers seminars that offer training for industrial magnets and custom industrial magnets. These seminars train employees to use industrial magnets in the workplace, and also teach them to use technology that operates with the help of magnets. Seminars are often just a few hours long and can be a great way to give your employees a refresher course on industrial magnets.

I recommend: The CEDRAT Group provides training sessions that focus on industrial magnets. Vector Fields offers a two-day seminar for those who want to learn about industrial magnet technology in electromagnetic design.

Explore additional information on magnets through training courses and materials

Organizations and manufacturers that handle industrial magnets may also offer courses and training materials for industries that work with their products. Courses on particles testing are common, as this process involves using industrial magnets to help employees separate different materials. Other organizations offer training materials that provide all the course work you need to conduct an in-house training program.

I recommend: Test Equipment Distributors provides a number of training reference materials for industry applications that use electromagnetic testing. Hellier offers courses in magnetic particle testing that use non-destructive testing methods.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Various online resources for the industrial magnet can teach magnetics operators the different types of rare earth magnets needed to find specific materials from scrap yards.

If you're in the market for industrial magnets, you'll find that there is a wide variety available, each with its own properties and best applications. You can make your shopping experience easier if you understand some of the basic magnet types you'll encounter and if you begin to get a sense of their applications. Understanding terms like "rare earth magnets" and "ceramic magnets" will help reduce the amount of research you need to do and will point you to the best industrial magnet suppliers for your particular needs.

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Permanent magnets

A permanent magnet is a one that will never lose its magnetic power and is a must for industrial uses. Most industrial magnets for sale are permanent, but when you're purchasing these magnets, it's a good idea to ensure that they are made of a permanent magnetic material.

I recommend: Review the various industrial applications for permanent magnets at Arnold Magnetic Technologies.

Sintered magnets

As you shop for industrial magnets, you'll come across the terms 'cast' and 'sintered.' Cast magnets are self-explanatory; just as in any cast product, the material is heated until it is in liquid form, and then it is poured into a mold, allowing for a wide range of shapes. However, 'sintered' may be less familiar. This term refers to a magnet that is comprised of powdered metals that are heated and pressed into the final magnet.

I recommend: Read more about sintering at AZoM.

Rare earth magnets

Rare earth magnets are the strongest magnets available. Made from the relatively rare lanthanide family of elements, the most common types of rare earth magnets are made primarily from either neodymium or samarium cobalt. These magnet types are especially suited to applications in which a compact size and strong magnetic properties are equally important, such as for computer hard drives.

I recommend: See a variety of rare earth magnets offered by National Imports.

Alnico magnets

The primary components of alnico magnets are aluminum (al), nickel (ni) and cobalt (co). This combination of alloys creates a brittle magnet with a relatively low magnetic force, but one that has the ability to operate at high temperatures. These magnets are often used for motors and coupling systems.

I recommend: Get a deeper understanding of alnico magnets at Total Magnetic Solutions, which also sells a variety of industrial alnico magnets.

Ceramic magnets

Ceramic magnets, also known as ferrite magnets, are formed from a blend of iron oxide and strontium carbonate. Compared to other industrial magnet types, they are less expensive but are still quite strong. Ceramic magnets are commonly used in speakers, as well as magnetic separating assemblies.

I recommend: See a list of ceramic magnet applications and qualities at Master Magnetics.

Magnet wire

An insulated wire that serves as an electrical conductor, magnet wire is used in everything from consumer products to transformers to industrial generators. It is primarily made of copper but may also be made of aluminum.

I recommend: Discover uses of magnet wire at Superior Essex.