Working principle and advantages of electromagnetic crane hook

2025-07-24 11:02:51

Electromagnetic Lifting Hook is a lifting device that uses electromagnetic force to absorb metal materials. It is widely used in steel mills, scrap metal recycling, port loading and unloading, etc. Its core principle is to generate a strong magnetic field through an energized coil to directly absorb ferromagnetic materials (such as steel plates, steel coils, scrap iron, etc.) without the need for physical grabbing actions of traditional hooks.


1. Working principle of electromagnetic crane hook

(1) Basic structure

  • Electromagnet core : Usually made of highly permeable material (such as silicon steel or pure iron), used to concentrate magnetic lines of force.

  • Excitation coil : Made of copper or aluminum wire, it generates a strong magnetic field when powered.

  • Control system : including power supply, rectifier, PLC (programmable logic controller), etc., used to adjust the current and magnetic strength.

  • Protection device : temperature sensor, power-off magnetic protection system (to prevent sudden power failure from causing materials to fall).

(2) Working process

  1. Power on excitation :

    • The crane operator turns on the power supply and direct current (usually 100-600V) passes through the coil, creating a strong electromagnetic field.

    • The magnetic lines of force penetrate the bottom of the electromagnet and attract ferromagnetic materials (such as steel plates and ingots).

  2. Materials handled :

    • The electromagnetic force overcomes the material's own weight and inertia, making it firmly adsorbed.

    • The crane moves to the target location.

  3. Power off release :

    • Cut off the current, the magnetic field disappears, and the material falls off automatically.

    • Some systems use reverse demagnetization technology to ensure complete release.


2. Main advantages of electromagnetic crane hook

Advantages illustrate
No physical grasping required Direct adsorption saves the time of hooking and unhooking and improves efficiency.
Adapt to complex shapes It can hold irregular scrap steel, steel plate coils, etc., which are difficult to grab with traditional hooks.
Fast operation speed The pick-up and release process takes only a few seconds and is suitable for high-frequency handling (such as continuous casting in steel mills).
Reduce manual intervention The high degree of automation reduces workers' labor intensity and safety risks.
No mechanical wear Traditional hooks are prone to wear, while electromagnetic hooks have contactless adsorption and longer service life.
Precise control The current can be adjusted to control the adsorption force to adapt to materials of different weights and materials.
Environmental protection and energy saving No risk of hydraulic oil leaks and lower energy consumption compared to grabs or clamps.

3. Limitations of electromagnetic crane hooks

  • Only suitable for ferromagnetic materials : it cannot adsorb non-magnetic metals such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel (austenite), etc.

  • Dependence on a stable power supply : Sudden power failure may cause materials to fall (battery or mechanical magnetic protection device is required).

  • High temperature environment limit : When the temperature exceeds 200℃, the magnetic force decreases and special high temperature resistant design is required.

  • Higher initial cost : Magnetic systems are more expensive than traditional hooks, but long-term maintenance costs are lower.


4. Typical application scenarios

  1. Steel industry : handling steel plates, steel coils, steel billets, scrap steel, etc.

  2. Port terminal : loading and unloading of bulk cargo such as scrap metal, iron ore, etc.

  3. Automobile manufacturing : handling of steel plates in stamping shops.

  4. Scrap recycling : automated sorting and loading of scrap metal.


5. Future development trends

  • Intelligent control : Combined with AI visual recognition, it automatically adjusts the magnetic force to suit different materials.

  • Superconducting electromagnet : Using high-temperature superconducting materials to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat generation.

  • Hybrid hook : Combination of electromagnetic + mechanical grabbing to expand the scope of application (such as adsorption + clamping composite mode).

in conclusion

Electromagnetic crane hooks play an irreplaceable role in industries such as steel and logistics due to their advantages of high efficiency, automation and low maintenance. With technological advances, their application scope will be further expanded and become one of the key equipment in modern smart factories.

Electromagnetic Lifting Hook is a lifting device that uses electromagnetic force to absorb metal materials. It is widely used in steel mills, scrap metal recycling, port loading and unloading, etc. Its core principle is to generate a strong magnetic field through an energized coil to directly absorb ferromagnetic materials (such as steel plates, steel coils, scrap iron, etc.) without the need for physical grabbing actions of traditional hooks.


1. Working principle of electromagnetic crane hook

(1) Basic structure

  • Electromagnet core : Usually made of highly permeable material (such as silicon steel or pure iron), used to concentrate magnetic lines of force.

  • Excitation coil : Made of copper or aluminum wire, it generates a strong magnetic field when powered.

  • Control system : including power supply, rectifier, PLC (programmable logic controller), etc., used to adjust the current and magnetic strength.

  • Protection device : temperature sensor, power-off magnetic protection system (to prevent sudden power failure from causing materials to fall).

(2) Working process

  1. Power on excitation :

    • The crane operator turns on the power supply and direct current (usually 100-600V) passes through the coil, creating a strong electromagnetic field.

    • The magnetic lines of force penetrate the bottom of the electromagnet and attract ferromagnetic materials (such as steel plates and ingots).

  2. Materials handled :

    • The electromagnetic force overcomes the material's own weight and inertia, making it firmly adsorbed.

    • The crane moves to the target location.

  3. Power off release :

    • Cut off the current, the magnetic field disappears, and the material falls off automatically.

    • Some systems use reverse demagnetization technology to ensure complete release.


2. Main advantages of electromagnetic crane hook

Advantages illustrate
No physical grasping required Direct adsorption saves the time of hooking and unhooking and improves efficiency.
Adapt to complex shapes It can hold irregular scrap steel, steel plate coils, etc., which are difficult to grab with traditional hooks.
Fast operation speed The pick-up and release process takes only a few seconds and is suitable for high-frequency handling (such as continuous casting in steel mills).
Reduce manual intervention The high degree of automation reduces workers' labor intensity and safety risks.
No mechanical wear Traditional hooks are prone to wear, while electromagnetic hooks have contactless adsorption and longer service life.
Precise control The current can be adjusted to control the adsorption force to adapt to materials of different weights and materials.
Environmental protection and energy saving No risk of hydraulic oil leaks and lower energy consumption compared to grabs or clamps.

3. Limitations of electromagnetic crane hooks

  • Only suitable for ferromagnetic materials : it cannot adsorb non-magnetic metals such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel (austenite), etc.

  • Dependence on a stable power supply : Sudden power failure may cause materials to fall (battery or mechanical magnetic protection device is required).

  • High temperature environment limit : When the temperature exceeds 200℃, the magnetic force decreases and special high temperature resistant design is required.

  • Higher initial cost : Magnetic systems are more expensive than traditional hooks, but long-term maintenance costs are lower.


4. Typical application scenarios

  1. Steel industry : handling steel plates, steel coils, steel billets, scrap steel, etc.

  2. Port terminal : loading and unloading of bulk cargo such as scrap metal, iron ore, etc.

  3. Automobile manufacturing : handling of steel plates in stamping shops.

  4. Scrap recycling : automated sorting and loading of scrap metal.


5. Future development trends

  • Intelligent control : Combined with AI visual recognition, it automatically adjusts the magnetic force to suit different materials.

  • Superconducting electromagnet : Using high-temperature superconducting materials to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat generation.

  • Hybrid hook : Combination of electromagnetic + mechanical grabbing to expand the scope of application (such as adsorption + clamping composite mode).

in conclusion

Electromagnetic crane hooks play an irreplaceable role in industries such as steel and logistics due to their advantages of high efficiency, automation and low maintenance. With technological advances, their application scope will be further expanded and become one of the key equipment in modern smart factories.

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