RELIABLE eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator — sorting equipment using an alternating magnetic field for the precise extraction of aluminium, copper and cast non-ferrous metals from industrial waste, household waste, automotive fragments and WEEE. Available in six models 400–1400, adjustable 0–3000 rpm rotor, rare-earth magnets with <5% degradation and modular installation in 2 hours.
Documented performance: this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator increased the aluminium recovery rate from household waste from 68% to 95% at a real customer, with additional monthly revenue of 80,000 yuan — a direct, quantifiable ROI.
The eddy-current (Foucault) principle is the only physical mechanism capable of extracting conductive non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, zinc) from mixtures with non-magnetic materials — an operation impossible for standard magnetic separators, which extract only iron and steel. The alternating magnetic field generated by the high-speed rotor induces Foucault currents in the non-ferrous metal particles, and the magnetic field produced by these currents repels the metal particles out of the material stream, projecting them onto a trajectory separate from the non-magnetic materials (plastic, glass, ceramics). Key Advantages of the RELIABLE Eddy-Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator
• +30% recovery rate over traditional equipment — documented performance: The 30% increase in recovery rate over previous equipment is the central specification of this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator, documented at manufacturer level. At the customer in the household-waste sector, aluminium recovery increased from 68% to 95% — a rise of 27 percentage points that generates additional monthly revenue of 80,000 yuan from aluminium alone.
• 98% copper-aluminium purity from automotive fragments — standard for regenerated metal: When processing automotive fragments (auto shred) of 3–50mm, the separator produces a copper-aluminium fraction with 98% purity — a standard accepted directly by non-ferrous metal refineries as regenerated material without additional sorting. This eliminates the manual or chemical post-separation sorting step and shortens the value chain to the smelter.
• Adjustable rotor speed 0–3000 rpm — adaptation to any material type: The adjustability of the magnetic rotor speed from 0 to 3000 rpm allows tuning the intensity of the alternating magnetic field to match the conductivity and the particle size of the non-ferrous metal in the processed material. Pure aluminium, aluminium alloys and copper have different electrical conductivities — the optimal rotor speed produces the maximum repulsion force for each metal type.
• Adjustable eccentricity angle and adjustable belt speed — trajectory optimisation: The eccentricity angle of the magnetic rotor relative to the belt's end roller is adjusted to optimise the trajectory of the repelled metal particles — the clean separation of metals from non-magnetic materials at different particle sizes and particle shapes. The belt motor speed is adjusted independently to control the exposure time of the particles to the magnetic field.
• Rare-earth magnets — field degradation <5% and long life: The magnetic rotor uses rare-earth magnets (neodymium-iron-boron or samarium-cobalt) with a magnetic field strength superior to standard ferrite magnets and with a field degradation rate of under 5% over the entire service life of the equipment. This guarantees constant separator performance over 10+ years of operation, without the recovery decline observed in equipment with ferrite magnets.
• -25% energy consumption over traditional equipment — single-drive design: The single-drive design of the RELIABLE series eliminates the additional motors for an independent magnetic rotor separate from the conveyor belt, reducing total energy consumption by 25% compared with dual-drive systems. At high capacities (model 1400 at 15 t/h), the energy saving translates into hundreds of euros per month off the electricity bill.
• Modular installation in 2 hours — rapid integration into existing lines: The modular design of this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator allows installation and integration into existing production lines in 2 hours — without special foundations, without structural modifications to the building and without prolonged stoppages of the recycling line. This significantly reduces the cost and duration of the upgrade compared with conventional equipment that requires 1–3 days of installation.
• Particle range 3–100mm — complete coverage for automotive fragments and WEEE: The 3–100mm range fully covers the standard particle size of automotive fragments (auto shred), crushed appliance fragments and PCB granules — without prior particle-size sorting for materials from these applications. Copper particles ≥0,5mm from PCB fragments are extracted efficiently, with a processing capacity of 15 tonnes per day.
Complete Technical Specifications — Eddy-Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator
| Model 400 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 450mm | 2–4 t/h | 3,0+0,55 kW | 1.000 kg | 3100×1450×2000mm |
|---|---|
| Model 600 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 650mm | 4–6 t/h | 4,0+0,75 kW | 1.400 kg | 3100×1885×2000mm |
| Model 800 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 850mm | 5–10 t/h | 7,5+1,1 kW | 1.800 kg | 3100×2033×2000mm |
| Model 1000 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 1050mm | 6–12 t/h | 11+1,5 kW | 2.200 kg | 3100×2233×2000mm |
| Model 1200 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 1250mm | 2–13 t/h | 11+2,2 kW | 2.400 kg | 3100×2433×2000mm |
| Model 1400 | Roller Ø300mm | 0–3000 rpm | Belt 1550mm | 8–15 t/h | 15+3,0 kW | 2.600 kg | 3100×2633×2000mm |
| Particle range | 3–100 mm |
| Separated materials | Aluminium, copper, zinc, cast non-ferrous metals — from household waste, auto shred, WEEE, slag |
| Magnets | Rare-earth — magnetic field degradation <5% |
| Drive | Single-drive — -25% energy consumption versus dual-drive |
| Installation | Modular — 2 hours, integrable into existing lines |
Case Studies — Performance Confirmed in the Field
This eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator is documented through three case studies with concrete quantitative data — real field performance, not catalogue specifications:
• Household waste — aluminium 68% → 95% (+80,000 yuan/month): An environmental-protection company applied the RELIABLE separator in its household-waste processing line and increased the aluminium recovery rate from 68% to 95%. The 27-percentage-point difference in additional recovery generated additional monthly revenue of 80,000 yuan (approximately 10,000 euros) — a direct, quantifiable ROI that justifies the investment within a few months of operation.
• Auto shred 3–50mm — 98% copper-aluminium purity: When processing automotive fragments of 3–50mm particle size, the separator produces a copper-aluminium fraction with 98% purity — a standard directly accepted as regenerated material in line with the norms for recycled metals in the automotive and manufacturing industries. This eliminates the need for additional sorting and reduces the total cost of the value chain.
• WEEE PCB — copper ≥0,5mm, 15 tonnes/day: When recycling circuit boards (PCB), the separator extracts copper particles of ≥0,5mm from the PCB fragments with a capacity of 15 tonnes per day — a continuous flow without maintenance intervals on the daily production schedule. The copper extracted at this particle size is directly saleable at the market price of recycled copper.
Applications — What the Eddy-Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator Processes
A RELIABLE eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator is the non-ferrous extraction stage in any recycling line that produces a mixture of non-ferrous metal with non-magnetic materials. Household-waste recycling centres (sorting the dry fraction), end-of-life vehicle dismantling waste processing plants (auto shred) and WEEE recycling lines install the separator after the magnetic iron separation stage — the iron is extracted by the magnetic separator, and the residual aluminium and copper are extracted by the eddy-current separator.
Construction-aluminium recyclers — PVC joinery with aluminium reinforcement, sandwich panels, aluminium-plastic doors and windows — use this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator to extract aluminium profiles from the mixture with PVC and glass after crushing. The aluminium extracted at >98% purity is directly saleable to secondary-aluminium smelters without additional sorting. Explore the full range of Uzinex industrial equipment for integrated recycling and separation solutions. Complete the line with the DF electrostatic separator for particles under 1mm or with the FX air separator for pre-cleaning the light fractions.
Foundry-slag and mixed-metal-material recycling plants in the metallurgy industry use eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator systems to recover non-ferrous metal fragments (aluminium, copper, zinc) from the slag and swarf from casting and machining operations, in line with international standards for processing and recovering metal waste. The Physical Principle — How Eddy Currents Work
Understanding the Foucault-current mechanism is essential to appreciating why this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator can extract non-ferrous metals that are impossible to separate by other physical means:
• Inducing eddy currents: The magnetic rotor, at 0–3000 rpm, generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. When a conductive metal particle (aluminium, copper) passes through this field, the variable magnetic field induces circular electric currents (Foucault currents) inside the metal particle.
• The magnetic repulsion force: The Foucault currents induced in the particle in turn generate their own magnetic field, oriented opposite to the inducing field — the interaction force between these two fields is repulsive. The metal particle is literally "thrown" off the conveyor belt, following a ballistic trajectory distinct from the non-magnetic materials (plastic, glass, ceramics) that fall by gravity at the end of the belt.
• Separation along different trajectories: The separator's adjustable deflector physically separates the ballistic trajectory of the repelled metals from the gravity trajectory of the non-magnetic materials, collecting each fraction in separate bunkers. The deflector angle is adjusted to optimise separation for the specific sizes and densities of the processed materials.
Frequently Asked Questions about the RELIABLE Eddy-Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator
Why can a standard magnetic separator not extract aluminium and copper?
Standard magnetic separators (with a permanent magnet or electromagnet) attract ferromagnetic materials — iron, steel, nickel. Aluminium, copper, zinc and other non-ferrous metals are not ferromagnetic and are not attracted by the static magnetic field. This eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator uses the alternating (variable) magnetic field that induces Foucault currents in any conductive metal, including non-magnetic non-ferrous metals — the only non-chemical physical principle that can extract these metals from mixtures with plastic and glass. Is the 0–3000 rpm adjustment necessary, or is it set once and left fixed?
The optimal rotor speed depends on the electrical conductivity, the size and the shape of the metal particles in the specific material being processed. Pure aluminium, 6xxx aluminium alloys and copper have different conductivities — the optimal speed for each is different. On lines with uniform input material (e.g. auto shred only), the setting is made once at commissioning. On lines with varied material (household waste of variable composition), the operator adjusts the speed when batches change for maximum recovery. What is the minimum particle size that can be separated efficiently?
The efficient range of this eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator is 3–100mm. Below 3mm, the magnetic repulsion force generated by the Foucault currents drops below the gravity and friction forces, reducing separation efficiency. For particles of 0,5–3mm (e.g. copper from PCB at fine particle size), the DF electrostatic separator is the complementary solution — it extracts conductive metals at a particle size under 1mm through the electrical-conductivity principle. Can rare-earth magnets be re-magnetised if they degrade?
Rare-earth (neodymium) magnets do not require re-magnetisation under normal operating conditions — field degradation of under 5% over the service life is a characteristic of the material, not a defect. Under extreme operating conditions (constant temperatures above 80°C, severe mechanical shocks), degradation can be accelerated. The UZINEX team checks the operating temperature of the installation at commissioning and recommends the appropriate cooling system to prevent accelerated magnet degradation. How long does installation take and what building preparation is needed?
The installation of a RELIABLE eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator takes 2 hours thanks to the modular design — the separator arrives assembled, requiring only connection to the conveyor-belt feed line and to the electrical supply. No special foundations, floor anchors or structural modifications are needed. The required space is indicated by the dimensions of the chosen model (e.g. model 800: 3100×2033×2000mm) — the UZINEX team checks space availability during the design visit. Why Buy the RELIABLE Eddy-Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator from UZINEX?
• Free consultation for model selection and operating parameters: The UZINEX team analyses the material to be processed (household waste, auto shred, WEEE, slag), the required hourly capacity and the particle size, and recommends the optimal model and rotor speed for maximum non-ferrous recovery in your specific application.
• Delivery, 2-hour installation and calibration on real material included: Every eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator delivered through UZINEX includes the 2-hour modular installation, calibration of the rotor speed and the eccentricity angle on the line's real material, and operator training for adjusting parameters and monitoring performance.
• Extended 60-month warranty and technical support under 36 hours: The 60-month warranty and the guaranteed response time under 36 hours ensure the continuity of the separation line — with rare-earth replacement magnets and components from UZINEX's own stock, minimising the unplanned stoppages that reduce monthly metal recovery.
• ROI calculable from additional non-ferrous metal revenue: At the market price of aluminium (~€1,800–2,200/t) and copper (~€8,000/t), every additional percentage point of recovery translates directly into revenue. The UZINEX team calculates the ROI specific to your material's volume and composition to justify the investment to financiers or the board.
• Integrated into the complete RELIABLE ecosystem from UZINEX: The eddy-current separator connects natively after the magnetic separators and before the electrostatic and gravity separators from the RELIABLE range distributed by UZINEX — completing the full ferrous + non-ferrous + non-metal separation line with single-source support for the entire investment.
RELIABLE 400–1400 eddy-current non-ferrous metal separator — adjustable 0–3000 rpm rotor, rare-earth magnets with degradation under 5%, +30% recovery over traditional equipment, 98% purity on auto shred and modular installation in 2 hours, for the recycling lines for household waste, auto shred and WEEE that recover aluminium, copper and zinc at the market prices of quality regenerated materials.