Electromagnetic coil

[Lcubed]

I am a retired Aerospace Structural Engineer with only rudimentary knowledge of Electricity.

I need a cylindrical, hollow-core coil which will lift a 30-pound slug vertically into its hollow core when energized. The slug is steel and is about 2 inches in diameter. The energising voltage is 120. The travel I want is about ten inches.

That is, if the coil is suspended 9 inches above a surface and the steel slug extends upward and about an inch into the hollow central core of the coil, and the coil is activated, the steel rod will be pulled from the surface and into the hollow core to a distance of about ten inches.

All these numbers are approximate, of course.

If someone can direct me to a builder of such a coil, or to a more appropriate forum, I would appreciate it very much. Thank you.
Lcubed

 

[itsmoked]

There aren't likely any slug magnet makers out there sitting around waiting for orders..

Why don't you give it a stab yourself. This isn't rocket science. Build yourself a form and wind it with lots of wire. Give it a try.

Check this entertaining thread. It can be done.

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=222092

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[mesutphen]

This sounds a lot like an electric solenoid rapper used in Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs). While these generally use 20-pound slugs, they may be able to handle more weight. There are a few manufacturers who produce these. If you Google "precipitator rapper" you should be able to find a few.

 

[waross]

Actually more turns only helps if you increase the voltage.
Roughly, if you double the turns you double the resistance and halve the current. The result:- The same number of Amp-turns.
If you use the same number of turns with a conductor of half the resistance, you double the current and so double the amp turns.
You do square the inductance but that's another issue. Unless you are using AC in which case adding turns will increase the inductive reactance by a square factor and so more turns will mean less Amp-turns.


Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[Lcubed]

Thanks to all of you who replied. It looks like mesutphen's solenoid rapper may be the best solution for an off-the-shelf prototype. I will see what is available. Thanks again.
Lcubed