Rare earth protects plastic processors

Rare earths might be in short supply globally but it hasn't stopped Eriez' (Erie, PA) from unveiling a permanent magnet (PM) Grate-in- Housing based on the elusive metals. PMs are ideal for removing fine ferrous contamination from plastic pellets, flake and regrind prior to the injection molding machine, extruder or compounding equipment.

PM Grate-in-Housings are said to be indispensable for applications where product purity is crucial. Processors of regrind and fiberglass reinforced plastics are especially vulnerable to metal contamination. Strong magnets are essential in these materials to not only capture the ferrous contaminants, but to hold the metal, despite the force of constant material flow through the magnet housing.

John Collins, Eriez Product Manager-Plastics and PolyMag, explains, "The Grate-in-Housings' powerful magnets remove fine ferrous material that can plug tiny valve gates and screens, or damage calendar rolls." He adds, "PM Grate-in-Housings even capture and hold pellets with encapsulated ferrous particles."

The magnets are offered in three standard housing sizes to suit specific application requirements. The PM Grate-in-Housings feature stainless steel housings, a slide gate to shut off material flow, two banks of the industry's strongest Rare Earth permanent magnets with 250 F temperature capability, custom inlet and outlet sizes, custom fabricated-flange mounting holes or studs, and clear doors with quick release wing nuts.

Customers who want to check the magnetic strength of their current magnets can contact Eriez to arrange for a magnet specialist to visit their facility to pull test their permanent magnets free of charge! When the inspection is complete, Eriez will report its findings with the original values (if available) and values for new magnets.-[email protected]