MAGNET LIFTS SIX TONS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 14

MAGNET LIFTS SIX TONS

Electro-magnets are much used in connection with cranes and other conveyors for lifting heavy pieces of iron and steel. In Belgium magnets are used to lift tons of hot metal m foundries and rolling mills. The power of the electro-magnet is regulated by the switch controlling the current. The magnet is lowered to the object needed with the current turned off. When the switch is closed the magnet, becoming active, holds the articles to be lifted while they are raised and transported to their destination. When they are lowered the switch is opened and the magnet immediately releases them. As the operator of the crane controls the action of the magnet through the switch, this one man can attend to all the details of transferring heavy metal objects. No assistant is needed to attach them to the conveyor-or to .release them when they reach their destination. Another use to which the electro-magnet is put is in breaking old so that they may be melted and utilised. To accomplish this the magnet is made to lift and drop a steel ball weighing from one to six tons-