Steel plate magnet — the magnetic handling and separation equipment chosen by industries that work daily with steel and iron parts, sheets and profiles. Lifting sheets without mechanical clamping, separating ferrous fragments from material streams and removing metallic contaminants from production lines are operations in which the steel plate magnet replaces manual labor with a fast, safe and repeatable process.
Available in neodymium (NdFeB) or ceramic (ferrite) magnet variants, with attraction forces between 3.000 and 10.000 Gauss and dimensions from 200mm to over 1.000mm, the steel plate magnet is configured precisely for the specific requirements of each industrial application.
The stainless steel or carbon steel housing with an anti-corrosion finish protects the magnetic core in harsh industrial environments — humidity, metal dust, vibration, mechanical shock — keeping the magnetic performance constant throughout the equipment's service life. The certified 3:1 safety factor for industrial models guarantees that the steel plate magnet holds the load at three times the nominal working force, eliminating the risk of accidental release of parts during handling. Key advantages of the steel plate magnet
• 2 magnetic material variants — neodymium or ceramic — the steel plate magnet with a neodymium (NdFeB) core offers the highest attraction force at reduced dimensions, ideal for applications where the weight and footprint of the equipment matter. The ceramic (ferrite) variant withstands operating temperatures of up to 400°C versus 200°C for neodymium, making it the choice for high-temperature applications such as heat-treatment lines and foundries.
• Magnetic power 3.000–10.000 Gauss — the wide range of magnetic intensity of the steel plate magnet covers both light applications (separating fine chips from conveyor belts) and the handling of heavy steel parts (thick sheets, ingots, rolled profiles) without additional mechanical aids.
• Dimensions 200mm–1.000mm+ — the steel plate magnet is available from compact 200mm sizes for installation on industrial robots and automated handling systems, up to plates of 1.000mm and over for overhead cranes and sheet-pressing lines. Each size is designed for the attraction force corresponding to the active surface.
• Certified 3:1 safety factor — the certified steel plate magnet holds the load at three times the nominal working force value. This safety standard is the minimum requirement for use in industrial applications where accidental release of the load would create risks of injury or damage to equipment and products.
• Stainless or carbon steel housing with anti-corrosion finish — the outer structure of the steel plate magnet is designed for real industrial environments: protection against moisture, cutting oils, cooling emulsions and abrasive metal dust. The stainless housing is the choice for the food and pharmaceutical industries where sanitizing with water and detergents is routine.
• Versatile installation — on an overhead crane, robot, conveyor or manual — the steel plate magnet integrates into existing handling systems through standard mounting interfaces. Manual models with a handle are used for one-off operations, flange models for integration into robot heads, and suspended models for overhead cranes and gantry cranes.
• No energy consumption — the permanent steel plate magnet does not require an electrical supply to hold the load, eliminating the risk of part release in the event of a power outage that is specific to electromagnets. Activation and deactivation are performed mechanically by rotating the internal magnetic core.
• 60-month UZINEX warranty — extended coverage with nationwide technical support and parts available in Iași.
Technical specifications — steel plate magnet
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Magnetic material type | Neodymium (NdFeB) or ceramic (ferrite) — your choice |
| Magnetic power | 3.000–10.000 Gauss (model-dependent) |
| Available dimensions | 200mm–1.000mm+ (configurable) |
| Operating temperature — neodymium | up to 200°C |
| Operating temperature — ceramic | up to 400°C |
| Housing | Stainless steel or anti-corrosion carbon steel |
| Safety factor | 3:1 (certified — industrial models) |
| Magnet type | Permanent (no energy consumption) |
| Compliance | International industrial standards |
The exact model, dimension and attraction force are selected by UZINEX engineers based on the weight of the part to be handled, the type of steel, the working temperature and the method of integration into the existing system — free technical consultancy available . Neodymium vs ceramic — how to choose the type of steel plate magnet
The correct choice of steel plate magnet type — neodymium or ceramic — is determined mainly by the working temperature and the force-to-weight ratio required for the specific application.
The neodymium (NdFeB) steel plate magnet is the standard choice for most industrial applications at normal temperatures. At the same footprint, the neodymium steel plate magnet produces an attraction force 5–10 times greater than ferrite. This property makes the neodymium steel plate magnet the preferred solution on industrial robots where the payload is limited. This property is critical on industrial robots where the available payload is limited.
The ceramic (ferrite) steel plate magnet is the choice for working temperatures between 200°C and 400°C — foundries, heat-treatment lines, industrial furnaces, areas adjacent to welding. Neodymium irreversibly loses its magnetic properties when the Curie temperature is exceeded (180–200°C for standard grades), while ferrite remains stable up to 400°C. If the application involves hot parts or high-temperature environments, the ceramic steel plate magnet is the only safe option. Industrial applications for the steel plate magnet
Handling steel sheets and plates in production halls and warehouses is the main application of the steel plate magnet. Lifting individual sheets from stacks, transferring plates between workstations and loading or unloading from means of transport is carried out without mechanical clamping.
The operator applies the magnet to the surface of the plate, activates the magnetic force and moves the part. Productivity compared to handling with wrenches, clamps or chains is significantly higher for flat parts with a large surface area. This is why the steel plate magnet has become the standard equipment in sheet-metal stocks and metalworking halls.
Separating ferrous metals from material streams is the second major application of the steel plate magnet. On the conveyor belts of recycling plants and sorting stations, the steel plate magnet mounted above the belt attracts and holds ferrous fragments — chips, pieces of rebar, screws, profiles.
This automatically separates the ferromagnetic material from the non-ferromagnetic one (plastic, glass, concrete, aluminum), without manual intervention and without stopping the production flow. The separation efficiency of the steel plate magnet depends on the field intensity and the distance from the belt.
The food and pharmaceutical industries use the stainless steel housing steel plate magnet to remove ferromagnetic contaminants from raw materials and finished products. Fine metal particles originating from the wear of processing equipment (mills, mixers, crushers) are retained by the steel plate magnet before the product reaches packaging, preventing contamination and quality complaints.
The automotive industry uses the steel plate magnet in sheet-metal pressing and stamping lines — the fast activation cycle of the permanent steel plate magnet is compatible with the high cadence of automatic pressing lines. for the automatic feeding of presses with blanks and for separating finished parts at the die outlet. Frequently asked questions about the steel plate magnet
How is a permanent steel plate magnet activated and deactivated?
The permanent steel plate magnet is activated and deactivated by rotating the internal magnetic core with a handle mechanism or pneumatic/electric actuation. In the ON position, the magnetic field of the core is oriented toward the active surface and attracts ferrous parts. In the OFF position, the field is internally redirected and the external attraction force becomes negligible, allowing the load to be released. This mechanism does not require electrical energy to hold the load. What contact surface does the steel plate magnet require for its nominal force?
The nominal force of the steel plate magnet is specified for full contact between the magnet's active surface and a flat steel plate, without excessive roughness and without intermediate layers (thick paint, excess oil, oxide). Curved surfaces, high roughness or non-magnetic layers reduce the effective force below the nominal value. UZINEX engineers calculate the actual force required for the specific parts of your application at the sizing stage. Does the steel plate magnet also work on stainless steel?
The steel plate magnet attracts only ferromagnetic materials — carbon steels, ferromagnetic alloy steels and cast irons. Austenitic stainless steel (300 series: 304, 316) is not ferromagnetic and is not attracted by the steel plate magnet. Martensitic and ferritic stainless steel (400 series: 410, 430) is partially or fully ferromagnetic and can be attracted, depending on the composition. Checking the ferromagnetism of the specific material is done with a simple magnet before sizing. What is the service life of a neodymium steel plate magnet?
The neodymium steel plate magnet loses approximately 1% of its magnetic force per year under normal storage and use conditions at temperatures below the allowed limit. Over a 20-year service life, the cumulative loss is approximately 20% of the initial force — negligible for most applications. Sudden deterioration of the magnetic properties occurs only on overheating above the Curie temperature or on severe mechanical shocks that fragment the core. Is the steel plate magnet eligible for public procurement or EU funds?
Yes. UZINEX is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network and supplies industrial equipment for EU-funded projects and public procurement via SEAP/SICAP. Complete technical documentation is provided on request. Leasing options are available on the UZINEX credit and leasing page . Why UZINEX for your steel plate magnet
The steel plate magnet is a piece of equipment with a direct impact on the productivity and safety of magnetic handling and separation operations. Correct sizing of the steel plate magnet is just as important as manufacturing quality.
• 60-month warranty — extended coverage for the steel plate magnet in continuous industrial production.
• Free technical sizing — UZINEX engineers select the correct steel plate magnet model based on the part weight, type of steel, working temperature and integration method, before confirmation.
• Transport and commissioning included — delivery to destination, integration into the handling system and operator training included in the equipment price.
• Nationwide technical support 24–48 hours — a network of technicians with national coverage and a guaranteed response time.
• Custom configurations available — non-standard dimensions, special mounting interfaces and force/footprint combinations on request for integration into existing production lines.
• Eligible for EU funds and public procurement — member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Enterprise Europe Network, with complete documentation for all procurement procedures.
The steel plate magnet available through UZINEX is the complete industrial solution for handling and separating ferrous parts — in neodymium or ceramic variants, with 3.000–10.000 Gauss power, 200–1.000mm dimensions, a 3:1 safety factor and a 60-month warranty.