What are Drawer Magnets?​

​Drawer Magnets from Magnetic Products, Inc. (MPI) are an industrial magnetic separator used to remove very small to medium ferrous metal or work-hardened stainless steel in various industrial applications where a granular or powder product is being transferred in a gravity chute. ​

Why Should Manufacturers Invest in Drawer Magnets?​

In the manufacturing world, the presence of metal contaminants can lead to product recalls, tarnishing brand reputation, or damage to processing equipment, all resulting in significant financial setbacks. By integrating drawer magnet magnetic separators into your production line, you can:​

• Ensure you have the highest level of protection from the smallest ferrous metal and work-hardened stainless steel contamination​.
• Automate your processes with self-cleaning and Intell-I-Mag options, reducing operating costs​.

Who Benefits from Drawer Magnet Separators?​

​Any manufacturer who routinely processes bulk materials and could potentially have contamination in the product that is ferrous or work-hardened stainless steel can benefit from magnetic drawer separators. Contamination can come from vendors when the bulk material is received or processing equipment, as a result of attrition. Common industries include food manufacturing, pet food plants, chemical manufacturers, and grain milling.​

How do Drawer Magnets Work?​

Magnetic drawers by MPI use an extremely effective high gauss magnetic circuit design that is designed for product contact. The magnets are installed in a tube that is either 1”, 2”, or 3” in diameter. Since the tube is packed full with the magnetic circuit, it is solid like a bar, and this is the reason why some people refer to them as “bar magnets”. The tubes are arranged in a grid-like design to create a powerful and uniform magnetic field and are designed to operate directly in the product flow. The rows are staggered to maximize magnetic filtration as the product flows through the housing. Each magnetic grid is arranged in what is referred to as a tier or row. Each drawer magnet uses one or more tiers of magnetic tubes to filter the product for ferrous metal. For example, one of the most common designs is two tiers of 1” diameter magnetic tubes. ​​

As tramp metal contaminants are captured on the tubes, the product flow pushes the captured metal to the underside of the magnetic tubes. Since the metal is no longer directly in the product flow, it eliminates the chance for tramp metal “wash-off.” The metal can then be cleaned for the tubes in various ways, which are summarized below. ​

What types of Drawer Magnets are there?​

Magnetic Products, Inc. line of drawer magnets is extensive enough to cover the wide range of customer applications that we encounter. In addition to multiple types of cleaning methods summarized below, we also offer drawer magnets designed for specific uses, such as installation into spouts, or above plastic injection molding machines. Tube sizes can also vary from 1”, 2” or 3” inches in diameter to match magnetic filtration capabilities with product flow characteristics for any application. Our latest model is Intell-I-Mag compatible, which adds intelligence to the magnetic separator, enabling operators to monitor in real-time metal saturation levels and magnet material temperature. ​

Drawer Magnet cleaning methods:​

• Manually: With this design, the product flow is terminated, the magnetic grates are removed by hand one at a time from the drawer housing, and the operator manually cleans the tubes with a cleaning tool o by hand with cut-proof protective gloves.​
• Manual quick-clean: With this design, the product flow is terminated, and the operator manually pulls the drawer assembly through a stripping mechanism that removes the metal and deposits it into a collection tray​.
• Automated self-clean: With this design, the product flow is terminated, and an operator, which can be remote, activates pneumatic cylinders that push the drawer assembly through a stripping mechanism that removes the metal and deposits it into a collection tray​.
• Automated continuous self-clean: With this design, the product does not need to be terminated, and an operator, which can be remote, activates pneumatic cylinders that push the drawer assembly through a stripping mechanism that removes the metal and deposits it into a collection tray​.

Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Drawer Magnet​

1. Minimize the risk of costly product recalls due to metal contamination. ​
2. Protect plant production equipment from unwanted ferrous metal contamination.  ​
3. Provide maximum separation of metal contaminants in gravity applications.