Glossary of Industrial Magnetism | Lenoir-Mec
Master magnetic technologies to optimize your production processes.
A specialist in magnetic separation and lifting for nearly 80 years, Lenoir-mec puts its technical expertise at the service of your industrial performance. This glossary has been designed to help you master the fundamentals of magnetism and choose the solutions best suited to your operational constraints. From magnet physics to safety standards, find here the keys to optimizing your production flows and securing your installations.
Fundamentals & Industrial Environment
Magnetic Field
The magnetic field is the invisible zone of influence surrounding a magnet or an electromagnet. It is within this space that attractive forces are exerted on ferrous metals. The further you move from the source (the magnet), the more the field intensity decreases.
Eddy Currents
Eddy currents are electrical currents induced within a conductive mass when it is subjected to a varying magnetic field. In our EDX separators, this phenomenon creates a repulsive force that ejects non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper) out of the material flow. This is the key technology for recovering value from your recycling waste.
WTC (Works Test Certificate)
Also known as a “Material Certificate,” the WTC is an official document (often EN 10204 standard) certifying the physical and chemical properties of the materials used (notably stainless steel). For Lenoir-Mec, this guarantees the traceability and quality of the steels used in the manufacturing of your equipment.
Gauss (G)
Gauss is the unit of measurement for magnetic induction (“surface power”). In the industry, it is used to verify the efficiency of magnetic bars or plates. Regular Gauss monitoring is essential to ensure your installations comply with audit standards.
ANIA Declaration (French National Association of Food Industries)
ANIA defines recommendations for food safety. A declaration of conformity related to these guidelines ensures that your magnetic separators meet strict hygiene and protection requirements against metallic foreign bodies.
Ferromagnetic Materials
Refers to ferromagnetic materials (Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, and certain alloys) that have the property of becoming strongly magnetized under the effect of an external magnetic field. These are the primary target materials for our separators.
Magnetic Separator
A generic term for any device that uses magnetism to sort or purify materials. Whether it is a drum, pulley, or suspended type, its role is to ensure the quality of the finished product and the protection of downstream machinery.
Tesla (T)
The Tesla is the international unit of measurement for magnetic induction (1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss). It is a more suitable unit for describing very powerful magnetic fields, such as those generated by our high-intensity separators for stainless steel or fine particles.
Magnet Technologies & Materials
Ferrite Magnet
The Ferrite magnet is the standard solution for separating large metal pieces. Highly resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, it offers an excellent performance-to-price ratio for iron removal applications in quarries or recycling.
Electro-Permanent Magnet
This technology combines the safety of a permanent magnet with the flexibility of an electromagnet. Electricity is only used to “switch” the state (on/off). In the event of a power failure, the load remains held by the magnets, guaranteeing total safety during lifting.
Discover our complete guide to electro-permanent lifting.
Neodymium Magnet (Rare Earth)
Neodymium magnets are the most powerful magnets currently available. They enable the capture of extremely fine ferrous particles or weakly magnetic stainless steel, where conventional magnets fail.
Permanent Magnet
A permanent magnet is made from naturally magnetic materials (such as Neodymium or Ferrite) that retain their strength without an external power supply. At Lenoir-Mec, we use them to guarantee constant and autonomous separation.
Electromagnet
Unlike a permanent magnet, an electromagnet generates a magnetic field only when an electric current passes through it. This allows the magnetization to be switched on or off at will, offering high power and an adjustable field depth.
Applications: Sorting, Separation & Lifting
Metal Detector
Unlike a magnet that removes metal, a detector signals its presence. It is essential for locating non-magnetic metals (stainless steel, aluminum) that conventional magnets cannot capture, allowing the line to be stopped before an incident occurs.
Magnetic Lifting
Magnetic lifting allows for the handling of steel plates, blocks, or coils without slings or chains. This method improves operator safety and optimizes storage space by enabling top-side gripping.
ATEX Standard (Explosive Atmospheres)
In areas with an explosion risk (wood dust, grain, chemical vapors), magnetic equipment must be ATEX certified. Lenoir-Mec designs specific separators to guarantee the total safety of your classified sites.
Eddy Current Separator (Non-ferrous sorting)
The eddy current separator is an essential technology for the automatic sorting of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, or magnesium. Thanks to a magnetic rotor spinning at very high speeds, the equipment generates repulsive forces that eject conductive particles out of the inert material flow.
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