Permadur Plate Handling Systems
Safe, efficient solutions
Permadur Plate Handling Systems are designed to safely and efficiently move steel plate in demanding industrial environments. Built with failsafe magnetic lifting technology, these systems help prevent accidental load drops — even in the event of power loss or control misoperation.
Available in AC-powered or rechargeable battery configurations, each system is engineered around your specific plate size, thickness, and handling requirements. Using Permadur lifting magnets and custom load beams, operators can safely lift a single plate from a stack and move it with confidence and control.
Designed for one-operator use, Permadur Plate Handling Systems reduce labor demands while significantly improving material handling efficiency. Our application engineers work directly with you to develop a system that fits your workflow.
Key Benefits
- Prevents load drops caused by power loss or control issues
- Safely lifts a single plate from a stack
- One-operator handling improves productivity
- Selective magnet control with movable cross arms
- Control options include pushbutton, radio remote, or PLC integration
- Visual safety indicators confirm proper magnet engagement
- No power consumption during lift (100% duty cycle)
- Compact, durable, low-headroom design
- Built to OSHA and ASME B30.20 standards
Custom System Design
Permadur Plate Handling Systems are custom-designed based on your specific operational requirements. Custom load beams and control packages are available to match your crane and facility layout.
Typical Applications
- Steel service centers
- Shipyards
- Heavy manufacturing and fabrication facilities
- Plate processing and staging operations
Why Permadur Plate Handling?
Traditional slings, hooks, and clamps can be slow, unsafe, and labor-intensive when handling large plates. Permadur Plate Handling Systems provide stable, balanced, and controlled lifting — reducing manual handling, minimizing material damage, and improving overall safety.
The Result
With Permadur Plate Handling Systems, plate handling becomes faster, safer, and more predictable. Operations benefit from reduced labor costs, fewer damaged plates, improved safety, and higher throughput.
Get a Custom Plate Handling Solution
Request a quote or contact our sales team to discuss your plate handling requirements.
Product Description
Overview
Permadur Plate Handling Systems are engineered for safe, efficient movement plate steel. Built with failsafe magnet technology, they prevent accidental load drops, even during power failure or mis-operation magnet control. Available in AC or battery-powered options, they are tailored for plate size, thickness, and handling requirements.
Utilizing the performance and safety features of the Permadur Lifting Magnets, these steel plate handling systems can be manned with a single operator as well as handle a single plate off of a stack. All of which can significantly increase your material handling efficiency. Let Permadur’s application engineers custom design a Plate Handling System to best fit your material handling application.
Key Benefits
- Will not drop suspended load due to power loss, wiring faults, misoperation of controls
- Single sheet lift from stack
- Selective magnet controls with movable cross arms
- Control options range from ON/OFF pushbutton to radio remote to PLC controls. Permadur controllers provides safety indicator lights for positive feedback to the operator to confirm magnet attachment prior to lift
- Customer supplied AC or rechargeable battery in any capacity
- One-operator efficiency boosts productivity
- No power consumption during lift (100% duty cycle)
- Compact, durable design
- Built to OSHA and ASME B30.20 standards
- Lower head room design
Models
Custom design based on load thickness, plate dimensions and surface conditions. Available with external power or rechargeable battery in any capacity.
Use Cases
Common in steel service centers, shipyards, and heavy manufacturing where large plate handling is required.
FEATURES
WON’T DROP A SUSPENDED LOAD DUE TO:
- Loss of Electrical Power
- Faulty Wiring
- Misoperation of Controls
HANDLING:
- Single Plate Handling from a Stack
- Remote Control Options Available
- Various Custom Loadbeam Configurations to fit application
Electrical:
- Dependable Relay Analog Control Systems
- Unaffected by Cold Temperatures
- Integration with Overhead Crane Controls (if needed)
POWER & EFFICIENCY:
- Consumes No Power During Lift
- Requires lower electrical power supply requirements than competitors magnet
- 100% Duty Cycle (no downtime for magnet cooling)
POWER SUPPLY:
- Requires No Back Up Battery System
- AC Power Supply as standard
- Misoperation of Controls
SAFETY:
- Rated Safe Working Load Provides 4 to 1 Safety Factor
- On/Off Controls Provide Positive Indication of Magnet
- Field Absorption
PRODUCTIVITY:
- One Man Plate Handling Increases Efficiency
- No Installation Costs
- Available in KIT for with Load Beam Drawings
PLATE SYSTEMS
Heavy Plate Handling
8’ x 20’-50’ Plate Sizes
These Permadur Heavy Plate Handling Systems are very similar to our Large Plate handling Systems, but typically will utilize an array of our FP-4000 Lifting Magnets to provide a higher lifting capacity per magnet.
Large Plate Handling
8’ x 20’-50’ Plate Sizes
These Permadur Large Plate Lifting Magnets typically are handling steel plate sizes ranging from 8′ Wide x 20′-50′ in Length and are 3/16″ to 1″ Thick. These Systems include selective controllers (typically by Row), utilize either a self-contained rechargeable battery or Single Phase AC Power Supply, and include Spring Suspension Assemblies for each Magnet to insure proper load sharing
Small Plate Handling
4’ x 8’, 5’ x 10’, 6’ x 12’ Plate Sizes
These Permadur Small Plate Handling Systems are typically designed to handle 4’ x 8’, 5’ x 10’. And 6’ x 12’ plate sizes with thicknesses ranging from 3/16” to 1”. For thinner plate in this size range please refer to the Thin Plate Handling Section or Vacuum Lifting Systems.
Sheet Handling Equipment
Sheet Lifting—3/16” thickness or less
These Permadur Thin Plate Handling Systems are built to support the handling of thinner gauge material. In order to provide single plate handling off a stack for plates thinner than 3/16″ thick, we utilize a special Permadur Electroperm Magnet whose magnetic intensity / depth of field can be reduced or increased depending on the Plate thickness.
Media
Click to view full-size images.
Related From our Blog
Selecting the Right Plate Lifting Magnets: Heavy, Large, or Small Plate Solutions for Your Operations?
When your daily operations involve handling steel plates, there's no room for guesswork. Whether...
Struggling to Lift Thin Plates Without Warping? Secure Them Properly With Specialized Plate Lifting Magnets
When lifting thin metal plates, it's frustrating to see them bend or warp unexpectedly. Even minor...
Validating Plate Lifting Magnet Performance Using ASME BTH-1 and ISO Standards
Handling metal plates seems deceptively straightforward, yet complexities arise when those plates...
Problem / Cause / solution / benefit
Problem
In fabrication shops, steel mills, and metal processing facilities — handling large steel plates manually or with generic hooks, slings, or clamps often leads to slow operations, frequent delays, potential material damage, and heightened safety risks. Heavy plates can slip, shift, tilt, or drop; operators may struggle with load balance; plates often get scratched, dented, or damaged; and handling may require multiple workers, causing inefficiency and higher labor costs.
Cause
Because steel plates are often large, heavy, and awkwardly shaped, traditional lifting/racking solutions (slings, chains, clamps, hooks) are not optimized for plates’ size and weight distribution. Those methods frequently result in uneven load balance, lack of stability, insufficient control over plate orientation or movement, and require manual adjustments or multiple operators. Without purpose-built plate handling equipment, each lift becomes risky and slow — increasing chances of dropped loads, plate damage, and operator injury.
Solution
Permadur Plate Handling Systems provide purpose-built equipment designed specifically for steel plates and large flat materials. These systems integrate lifting, gripping or support mechanisms (magnet packages, clamps, lifting beams, or other customized attachments) to ensure stable, balanced, and controlled lifting and movement of steel plates. By using equipment engineered for plate dimensions and weight, the system ensures proper load distribution, stable transport, secure grips, and safe handling — whether lifting single plates, stacking, staging for processing, or transporting across the shop floor.
Benefit
Using Permadur Plate Handling Systems transforms plate-handling operations. Plates move faster and more reliably with fewer workers, reducing labor costs and turnaround time. The risk of material damage (scratches, dents, dropped loads) goes down, preserving steel integrity and reducing scrap or rework. Safety for workers improves significantly by minimizing manual strain, reducing chance of load shifting or accidents, and improving overall control and stability during handling. Operational throughput increases — enabling smoother workflows, better production consistency, and lower costs per lift or plate handled.