Energy Efficiency in Magnetic Clamping Applications

Magnetic clamping systems are a good substitute for mechanical ones in the industrial field to clamp workpieces on machine tools or to lift and handle ferrous material. Concerning big dimensions lifting applications, electromagnetic and electro-permanent are the most suitable magnetic clamping systems. A considerable energy efficiency difference is present between these two systems, but often it is not simple to evaluate. So a prototype has been developed to put in evidence the main differences: a hybrid control system for electromagnetic or electro-permanent systems has been created. A single control unit exploited by both systems only by changing the type of lifting magnet has been the idea behind the realization of such a hybrid control system, here described to evaluate the energy differences between these two magnetic clamping systems.