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Metal recovery using wound CFRP magnetic rotors
Together with IMRO Maschinenbau, we use fibre composite technology in magnetic rotors for non-ferrous metal separators. The CFRP rotor winding stabilises the rotor geometry and supports smooth, low-vibration operation. This helps create the design conditions for the precise separation of non-ferrous metals.
About IMRO
IMRO Maschinenbau develops and manufactures machines and systems as well as the latest recycling processes with a focus on separation technology. The solutions are customised to the requirements of the companies and enable efficient and sustainable recycling concepts.
Initial Situation
Recovering valuable materials from material streams
Countless waste products, production residues, and other material streams contain valuable non‑ferrous metals such as aluminium or copper. To recover these, highly specialised separation systems are employed. A central role is played by the NF separator: it uses eddy current technology to separate non‑ferrous metals precisely from heterogeneous material streams and make them reusable.
Challenge
High rotational speeds, extreme forces – a demanding rotor environment
In the NF separator, a rapidly rotating magnetic rotor generates the required pole‑change frequency. The pole changes and the resulting eddy currents in the non‑ferrous metals create a repulsive force that ejects the affected particles from the material stream. At speeds of up to 3,800 rpm, enormous centrifugal forces act on the magnets and the construction. Conventional stainless‑steel casings tend to deform (ovalisation), leading to imbalances, unstable machine operation, increased wear, and the need to replace bearings prematurely. For modern recycling plants, this is neither efficient nor economical in the long term.
Solution
CFRP rotor winding: stable, precise, magnetically compatible
Our specially wound CFRP bandage encases the magnetic rotors so that the magnets remain securely in position even at the highest rotational speeds. Carbon‑fibre reinforced plastic offers high strength with minimal deformation at low wall thickness and does not affect the magnetic fields. The result is a perfectly round, lightweight, and permanently stable rotor casing that ensures smooth, low‑vibration operation.
Application
CFRP rotor winding in IMRO’s eddy current separator
The CFRP-wound magnetic rotor is used in IMRO’s non-ferrous metal separators. The stable rotor geometry allows the gap to the outer GFRP shell to be kept smaller, increasing the magnetic effect on the material. This enables the precise separation of even small non-ferrous metal particles.
Technical and operational benefits of the CFRP rotor winding
