It's no surprise that the crossbelt (overband) magnet experiences the most wear and tear on the belt that transfers separated metal away from the conveyor. This is because the belt constantly comes into contact with ferrous materials, which can cause significant damage over time. To address this issue, Bunting has developed a specialized, lightweight armored belt designed specifically for crossbelt magnets. As a global leader in magnetic separation technology, Bunting provides innovative solutions for industries such as mining, recycling, and waste management.

Armored Belts Protect Crossbelt Magnets from Excessive Wear and Extend Belt Lifespan

Positioned over conveyors that transport materials like aggregate, waste, shredded wood, or mined ore, crossbelt magnets work by generating a magnetic field—either through permanent magnets or electromagnetic blocks. This field attracts ferrous metals from the conveyed material onto the self-cleaning belt. The rubber upstands on the belt catch the lifted metal and transport it to a separate collection area.

The force generated when ferrous metal strikes the self-cleaning belt is considerable, especially as the metal approaches the magnet’s face. This causes the metal to accelerate toward the belt, temporarily sandwiching it between the lifted metal and the magnetic block until the upstand catches and removes the item from the magnetic field.

Applications where self-cleaning belts experience significant wear include:

• High levels of ferrous metal in the conveyed material
• Large and heavy ferrous metals
• Nails, or thin and sharp ferrous metals
• Models with additional force in their magnetic block (like the ElectroMax and ElectroMax-Plus)

To prevent excessive wear and prolong the lifespan of crossbelt magnets, Bunting’s engineers created a lightweight yet durable armored belt. While alternatives like special wear-resistant coatings exist, the armor offers superior protection, significantly extending belt life.

The armor consists of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) slats, each measuring 100mm in width and 10mm in thickness, custom-fitted to specific crossbelt magnet models. These slats are attached using special 304 stainless steel elevator bucket bolts and nyloc nuts.

Adrian Coleman, Bunting’s Technical Director in the UK, explains, “The introduction of this armored belt design has been very well received. Other types of belt armor have not performed as effectively, but the HDPE solution has proven exceptional.”

Contact us today to discuss your application or request a quote.