Why Magnetic Slide Conveyors Outperform Traditional Steel-Hinged Belt Conveyors

In manufacturing and material handling, efficiency, reliability, and safety are critical to maintaining productivity. Choosing the right conveyor system can significantly impact operations, especially in industries dealing with ferrous metal scraps, chips, and small parts. While traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors have been a long-standing solution, magnetic slide conveyors offer a more advanced, efficient, and low-maintenance alternative.

At Storch Products Co Inc., we specialize in designing and manufacturing beltless magnetic slide conveyors that provide superior performance in demanding industrial environments. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of magnetic slide conveyors versus traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors and why industries are increasingly making the switch.

How Magnetic Slide Conveyors Work 

Unlike conventional conveyors that rely on belts, chains, and moving parts to transport materials, Storch^® Magnetic Slide Conveyors use permanent, high-energy neodymium magnets to move ferrous materials. These magnets are UHMW -wrapped and positioned beneath a stainless or manganese steel slider bed, ensuring smooth and reliable movement.

The magnets are mounted to a chain that dips into an environmentally friendly hydraulic oil, which lubricates the entire internal system—a feature that makes Storch^® conveyors virtually maintenance-free. This enclosed system eliminates exposed moving components, ensuring greater durability and significantly enhanced workplace safety.

Following are several key features of magnetic slide conveyors:

1. Increased Productivity and Efficiency

Time is money in any manufacturing environment, and conveyor breakdowns can bring operations to a halt. Traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors rely on a complex system of belts, chains, pulleys, and bearings, all of which are prone to wear, misalignment, and failure.

Magnetic slide conveyors eliminate common failure points:

• No belts or chains to break, stretch, or jam
• Consistent, non-stop material movement without slippage
• Minimal maintenance, meaning less downtime and more uptime
• Higher throughput rates, improving overall production efficiency

As a result, businesses experience a more reliable and efficient material handling process, allowing them to meet production targets with fewer interruptions.

2. Unmatched Safety Features

Worker safety is a top priority in industrial settings, and traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors pose several risks, including:

• Pinch points from moving belts and rollers
• Chain-related injuries
• Accidents caused by material slippage or ejection
• Loose clothing or hair getting caught in external moving parts

Storch^® Magnetic Slide Conveyors eliminate these risks by featuring a completely enclosed design with no external moving components. This means:

• No belts, chains, or pulleys that could catch hands, fingers, hair, or clothing
• No pinch points or entrapment hazards
• No exposed moving parts, reducing injury risks
• Controlled, predictable movement of materials

One of the biggest hazards of traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors is the risk of pinch points where fingers, hands, or even clothing can become caught in moving belts and rollers.

With magnetic conveyors, there are no external moving parts, completely eliminating pinch points. This significantly reduces the risk of hand and finger injuries, entanglements from loose clothing gloves, or long hair, and workplace accidents due to material jams and belt failures.

By design, Storch conveyors ensure a much safer work environment, leading to fewer workplace injuries, improved OSHA compliance, and greater peace of mind for operators.

3. Lower Maintenance and Reduced Downtime

Steel-hinged belt conveyors require frequent lubrication, belt replacements, and adjustments to stay operational. Bearings, chains, and motorized components need regular servicing to prevent breakdowns.

Unlike steel-hinged belt conveyors that require constant lubrication and maintenance, Storch conveyors come pre-filled from the factory with the necessary amount of environmentally friendly hydraulic oil. This self-lubricating system reduces the need for regular maintenance.

Magnetic slide conveyors also eliminate maintenance-intensive components.

• A fully enclosed system that keeps contaminants out.
• There are no chains, bearings, or belts to replace.
• Less routine maintenance is required, reducing operational costs.

4. Extended Conveyor Life and Durability

A major issue with traditional steel-hinged conveyors is belt failure due to wear, material buildup, and impact damage. Over time, metal belts stretch, develop cracks, and require costly replacements.

Since Storch® Magnetic Slide Conveyors use permanent magnets with a lifespan exceeding 100 years, the system remains virtually maintenance-free, making them a cost-effective long-term solution. The conveyors feature:

• Heavy-duty stainless steel slider beds, offering superior resistance to wear.
• Neodymium magnets wrapped in UHMW, reducing material friction.
• No vulnerable belts or mechanical components that degrade over time.

 As a result, our magnetic slide conveyors last significantly longer than traditional steel-hinged conveyors, providing a better return on investment (ROI) for manufacturers. 

5. Improved Environmental and Energy Efficiency

Another key advantage of magnetic slide conveyors is energy efficiency. Steel-hinged belt conveyors rely on powerful motors to drive their complex belt and chain systems. The added friction and moving parts increase energy consumption and heat generation, leading to inefficiencies.

Storch’s magnetic slide conveyors operate with:

• Lower power requirements due to reduced friction and fewer mechanical components
• No need for lubricants or excessive maintenance chemicals, making them more eco-friendly
• A cleaner, quieter operation, reducing workplace noise and improving environmental impact

These efficiency gains lower energy costs and help businesses meet sustainability goals while maintaining high levels of productivity.

Applications of Storch^® Magnetic Slide Conveyors

Our magnetic conveyors are ideal for industries handling ferrous metal scrap, chips, and parts, including:

• CNC machining and metalworking – Efficiently move steel chips, cast iron, and other metallic waste.
• Automotive and stamping – Transport ferrous scrap and parts without jams.
• Aerospace manufacturing – Improve material handling of sensitive metal components.
• Recycling and waste management – Streamline metal sorting and processing

With custom configurations available, Storch Magnetic Products can design magnetic conveyors to fit any industrial application, ensuring seamless integration into existing production lines.

We have been engineering innovative magnetic solutions for over 40 years. Our expertise in magnetic slide conveyors allows us to offer:

• Custom-built conveyors tailored to your specific application
• Durable, industrial-grade neodymium magnets that retain strength for over 100 years
• Heavy-duty, long-lasting stainless steel designs
• Expert engineering support and free product testing
• Minimal maintenance and reduced downtime, ensuring maximum productivity

Our customers trust Storch® Magnetic Slide Conveyors for their superior performance, reliability, and safety over traditional steel-hinged belt conveyors. If you’re looking to improve productivity, safety, and efficiency while reducing maintenance costs, visit our website at storchmagnetics.com or check out our YouTube channel to see our conveyors in action.

Contact us today for a free quote and discover how Storch can enhance your material handling operations.