PRAB pneumatic conveyors use positive pressure or vacuum systems to move wet or dry metal chips and unmanageable scrap through flexible routing paths—ideal for complex plant layouts or overhead conveyance where traditional belt or screw systems aren’t practical. These systems can deliver material to wringers, briquetters, load-out areas, or centralized processing centers with efficiency and minimal manual handling. Their adaptability and ease of reconfiguration make them well-suited for machining facilities with evolving production needs.
Designed for reliability over long distances or tight layouts, PRAB pneumatic systems feature thicker housings, high-strength fans, and wear-resistant components to handle abrasive metal dust and chips. These systems frequently outlast their competitors by a factor of two, maintaining consistent suction and transfer performance. PRAB engineers and assembles pneumatic conveyors in both the USA and our Poland facility, providing global customers with precision-built systems and localized service.
Because there are no mechanical belts or chains, pneumatic conveyors are low-maintenance and can reach areas that traditional conveyors can’t – perfect for overhead routing or covering long distances. PRAB’s designs focus on reliability and efficiency: we engineer our blowers, piping, and separators to handle continuous duty in harsh machining environments (wet or dry chips).
By installing a PRAB pneumatic conveyor, you eliminate the need for manual chip hauling or multiple augers, reducing labor and keeping floors clear. These systems excel at conveying light materials, such as aluminum or cast-iron chips, and grinding dust.
Benefits and features of PRAB Pneumatic Conveyors include:
For manufacturers looking for an advanced, automated chip conveying method that is both efficient and durable, pneumatic conveying is an excellent choice to keep production humming
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There isn’t an employer in existence that shouldn’t consider slips and falls to be a significant safety concern in its facilities. In an article about overlooked hazards and risk zones in the workplace, Facility Executive magazine cites some sobering numbers: Same-level slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of workplace injuries and totaled almost 200,000 in 2015, according to […]
Proven to Raise Productivity Up To 60%Documented Results Achieved by PRAB Customers Enhanced Productivity Downtime Before PRAB: 3-4 hours Downtime After PRAB: 2 minutes Safer Workplace “Our process of disposing metal scrap has become more ergonomic and safer.” – Jack Rovan, Martin-Baker Long Lasting Equipment: Conveyors Still Operating in the Field […]
Proven To Raise Productivity Up To 60% Documented Results Achieved by PRAB Customers Decreased Downtime Downtime Before PRAB: 3-4 hoursDowntime After PRAB: 2 minutes Safer Workplace “Our process of disposing metal scrap has become more ergonomic and safer.” – Jack Rovan, Martin-Baker Long Lasting Equipment: Conveyors Still Operating in the Field After 57 Years PRAB Conveyors […]
A magnetic conveyor and a magnetic separator both use magnets to handle ferrous material, but they perform opposite functions. A magnetic conveyor is a material handling device that transports solid ferrous chips and parts. A magnetic separator is a fluid filtration device that pulls ferrous fines out of coolant. One moves metal. The other cleans fluid.
| Magnetic Conveyor | Magnetic Separator | |
| Primary job | Transports solid ferrous scrap | Removes ferrous fines from fluid |
| Acts on | Chips, slugs, turnings, small parts | Coolant or cutting oil |
| Category | Material handling and conveying | Fluid filtration |
| Typical position | Machine side, feeding downstream processing | In the coolant loop, often as a pre-filter |
| Output | Scrap delivered to a bin or processor | Cleaner fluid returned to the process |
The difference is what they act on. A magnetic conveyor transports solid ferrous scrap such as chips, stamping slugs, turnings, and small parts from the machine to downstream equipment or a container. A magnetic separator removes suspended ferrous fines and sludge from a fluid stream so the coolant or oil runs cleaner. A conveyor is used for material handling. A separator is fluid filtration.
A magnetic conveyor moves ferrous material cleanly and without carryover. PRAB uses a beltless slide design, with permanent magnets on a chain beneath a stationary stainless steel slider bed that grip the material and carry it to the release point, including up inclines. It is the right tool when the goal is to reliably move fine or thin ferrous scrap to a wringer, centrifuge, briquetter, or bin. See the full magnetic conveyor product page for models and configurations.
A magnetic separator removes ferrous contaminants from liquid. PRAB separators use a rotating drum fitted with ferrite or rare-earth magnets. As contaminated coolant or cutting oil flows across the drum, ferrous particles are captured and carried out of the fluid stream, and the cleaned fluid continues on. It is commonly used in grinding, honing, and gear cutting, and often runs as a pre-filter ahead of other fluid filtration equipment. PRAB ferrite models remove up to 97 percent of ferrous particles larger than 40 microns, and rare-earth models capture down to 15 microns, per PRAB published specifications.
Choose based on the problem you are solving. If solid ferrous chips are piling up at the machine and need to be moved away cleanly, you need a magnetic conveyor. If your coolant is loaded with fine ferrous particles that hurt tool life and surface finish, you need a magnetic separator. Many operations end up using both because moving the scrap and cleaning the fluid are two separate goals.
Yes, and they often work as a pair. A magnetic conveyor handles the solid scrap leaving the machine, while a magnetic separator keeps the coolant clean in the same cell. Both feed the larger goal of recovering fluid and scrap value, which is where coolant recycling systems complete the loop.
No. A magnetic conveyor is a conveying and material handling device, not a filtration device. It can help the coolant drain off the scrap as it moves, which reduces fluid carried away with the chips, but it does not filter the fluid itself. Removing particles from the fluid is the job of a magnetic separator or other fluid filtration equipment.
Both use permanent magnets, but are configured differently. A PRAB magnetic conveyor uses ceramic magnets, with rare-earth available, mounted on a moving chain under a fixed slider bed to grip and carry solid scrap. A PRAB magnetic separator uses ferrite or rare-earth magnets inside a rotating drum to attract fine particles out of flowing fluid. The conveyor holds and transports. The separator attracts and extracts.
For non-ferrous or mixed scrap that a magnet cannot hold, a steel belt conveyor is the appropriate transport choice instead of a magnetic conveyor.
Start by separating the two questions: how do I move the scrap, and how do I keep the fluid clean. For the scrap side, use PRAB’s conveyor selection tool or browse the full conveyor lineup. For the fluid side, the surest path is to test your actual coolant. PRAB offers free fluid testing for separator sizing and free materials testing for conveyor selection, so the equipment is matched to your real material rather than a generic profile.
Not sure which one fits, or whether you need both? Contact an expert at PRAB, or explore magnetic conveyors and magnetic separators to compare them side by side.
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