Product Details
An Electro-Permanent Magnetic (EPM) Lifter gives you the two things every lifting operation wants and rarely gets together: the fail-safe grip of a permanent magnet and the push-button convenience of electric control. Power is needed only for a split second — during magnetisation and demagnetisation. The rest of the time, rare-earth NdFeB magnets hold the load with zero energy consumption, which means a power failure can never drop your load.
How It Works
NdFeB rare-earth magnets are embedded inside the lifter. A short electric pulse reconfigures the internal magnetic circuit, switching the device between ON (magnetised) and OFF (demagnetised). Once switched, no power is required to hold the load, and switching OFF leaves no residual magnetism — important for sensitive industrial applications where stray magnetism causes problems downstream.
Key Features
- Zero Power During the Lift
Electricity is needed only for the switching pulse — holding the load costs nothing.
- Fail-Safe by Physics
The hold comes from permanent magnets, so there is no drop during a power failure.
- Remote ON/OFF Control
Switch the lifter from a distance — the operator never needs to be near the load.
- Rugged Steel Construction
Built for daily industrial duty.
- Flat and Round Materials
One lifter handles plates, sheets, blocks, bars and billets.
- Automation-Ready
Integrates directly with robotic and CNC applications.
Where EPM Lifters Earn Their Keep
- Plate, sheet & block handling
- Plasma / laser / oxy cutting machines
- CNC / VMC loading and unloading
- Structural fabrication shops
- Coil, round bar & billet lifting
- Automotive, shipbuilding & defence
How EPM Compares with Traditional Lifters
The honest comparison below is why automated lines increasingly specify EPM technology — and why a plain permanent lifter remains a fine choice for manual work:
| Feature | EPM Lifter | Electromagnetic Lifter | Permanent Magnetic Lifter |
| Power required during lift | No | Yes | No |
| Fail-safe on power failure | Yes | No | Yes |
| Control flexibility | ON/OFF via button | ON/OFF continuous | Manual only |
| Automation ready | Fully compatible | Compatible | Not ideal |
| Maintenance requirement | Low | High | Low |
Control Options
- Wired / wireless remote
- PLC-compatible I/O
- Auto-switching for production lines
- Optional touch-screen HMI
Built-In Safety
- Overheat protection
- Pulse feedback confirmation
- Emergency demagnetisation circuit
Choosing the Right Model
Sizing an EPM lifter correctly is an engineering decision, and we treat it as one. Share these details with our team and we will recommend — honestly — the model that fits:
- Type and shape of material
- Material dimensions
- Surface roughness
- Load weight and load centre
- Handling speed and cycle time
Customised Solutions
Beyond standard models, PML engineers and builds complete lifting solutions:
- Lifting beams carrying multiple EPMs
- EPM units for round bars, coils & billets
- Lifter integration with cranes or manipulators
- Custom pole geometries for uneven or curved surfaces
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the load if power fails?
Nothing — the load stays held. Power is used only for the brief magnetise/demagnetise pulse; the holding force itself comes from permanent NdFeB magnets.
How is an EPM lifter different from an electromagnet?
An electromagnet needs continuous power to hold, and drops the load if power is lost. An EPM holds with permanent magnets and uses electricity only to switch — safer, cooler-running and cheaper to operate.
Does it leave residual magnetism in the workpiece?
No. Demagnetisation leaves no residual magnetism, which matters in sensitive applications where stray magnetism causes downstream problems.
Can it be integrated into an automated line?
Yes — EPM lifters are fully automation-compatible, with PLC I/O, wired/wireless remotes, auto-switching and optional HMI control.
Why Buy From PML
- 65+ years of magnetic expertise — Permanent Magnets Ltd has designed and manufactured magnetic products for 65+ years, and our consumer range is built to the same engineering standards we supply to global industrial leaders.
- Made and tested in-house — magnets, assemblies and finished products are manufactured and quality-checked at our own facilities, so every unit performs to its stated specification.
- Honest specifications — the ratings you read on this page are the ratings you get. If your application needs a different size or strength, our engineers will tell you exactly what works — and what won't.
- Support from real engineers — from product selection to after-sales, your questions are answered by the team that builds the product.
Need help choosing, or a custom specification? Enquire now and our engineering team will guide you to the right solution.