Drum Magnet

A drum magnet and an overband magnetic separator both remove ferrous metals, but they work in different ways and suit different stages of a recycling process.

• Overband magnets sit above a conveyor and lift ferrous metal out of the material flow as it passes underneath. They provide continuous removal of steel and tramp metal, making them ideal for primary separation and protecting downstream equipment such as shredders, crushers, and screens.
• Drum magnets are positioned so that material flows directly across the rotating drum surface. They continuously separate ferrous metals from bulk material, making them highly effective for secondary ferrous recovery, especially after shredding, screening, or when a cleaner ferrous product is required.

In short, overband magnets are typically used for early‑stage ferrous removal and equipment protection, while drum magnets are used for high‑efficiency, continuous ferrous recovery later in the process.

Drum magnets can be configured in three different feed methods, each suited to a different plant layout and material flow. With top-fed systems, material is delivered directly onto the top surface of the drum, all material travels a short distance around the drum, with ferrous metal held and carried further before discharge. This suits compact layouts where a gravity-fed system is preferred.

Curtain-fed systems present material as a falling stream past the drum’s surface. Ferrous metal is attracted mid-fall and held to the drum, while non-ferrous material continues to drop away — this method works well where visual inspection or a consistent, even flow across the drum face is needed.

Bottom-fed systems present material to the underside of the drum via a feeder or conveyor. Ferrous metal is attracted upward and carried over the drum, while non-ferrous material drops away below.  This is typically used in heavier-duty systems or where material flow needs to be controlled from below.

Magnapower offers all three feed types, allowing the drum magnet to be adapted to your existing plant layout rather than requiring the layout to be built around the machine.

The best feed type depends on your plant layout, material flow, and processing requirements rather than a single universal answer.

The right choice depends on your specific site and material characteristics, our engineers will work with you to assess your process and recommend the most effective feed configuration for their application.