Moving sheets, profiles, bars and other metal loads requires more than lifting force. It is also necessary to correctly distribute the weight, maintain the stability of the material and reduce risks during transport.

When the load is large or has an elongated shape, using just one lifting point can cause inclinations, oscillations and uneven distribution of effort.

Load bars help solve this problem by allowing two or more magnetic devices to act in a joint and distributed manner.

With the correct dimensioning, this solution contributes to making movement safer, stable and efficient.

What is a load bar?

The load bar is a structure used to support and distribute magnetic equipment throughout the material that will be moved.

It can be installed on overhead cranes, cranes or other lifting systems and work with electromagnets, electropermanent equipment or other magnetic solutions compatible with the application.

Instead of concentrating all the force in a single point, the bar positions the equipment in different regions of the load.

This distribution is especially important when moving long, wide or heavy materials, such as:

• Metal sheets;
• Bar beams;
• Steel profiles;
• Tubes;
• Rails;
• Billets;
• Large metal parts.

ITAL presents, for example, load bars equipped with two magnetic devices for transporting thick sheets.

Why use more than one lifting point?

Elongated or large materials may present instability when moved by just one point.

Even if the equipment has sufficient capacity to support the total weight, the load may tilt, flex or sway during movement.

By distributing the attraction points throughout the material, the load bar helps keep the assembly more balanced.

Among the main benefits are:

• Better weight distribution;
• Greater stability during movement;
• Reduction of oscillations;
• Lower risk of load tipping;
• More control over positioning;
• Greater safety for operation;
• Possibility of moving longer pieces.

The bar does not automatically increase the capacity of magnetic equipment. Its function is to organize and distribute lifting points according to the characteristics of the load.

When is the load bar indicated?

The solution can be recommended when the shape or dimensions of the material make it difficult to move using a single magnetic device.

This mainly occurs in situations such as:

Long sheet metal handling

When a sheet is long, a single point of attraction may not offer the necessary stability.

Depending on the thickness and characteristics of the material, the sheet may also flex during transport.

The use of equipment distributed along the bar helps support different points of the load.

Transport of bars and profiles

Bars, beams, rails and metal profiles require adequate distribution of force to prevent one end from being lower or oscillating during movement.

Beam movement

In certain operations, several materials may be transported together.

In this case, it is necessary to evaluate the beam organization, contact area and weight distribution before defining the quantity and position of magnetic equipment.

Oversized loads

Even when the weight is within the capacity of a single piece of equipment, the length or width of the piece may require more support points to maintain stability.

What are the main advantages?

More stability during transport

The distribution of equipment along the bar reduces the concentration of force in just one region.

This helps keep the material more balanced during lifting and moving.

Greater control over positioning

A stable load can be positioned more precisely at the target location.

This control is important in stages such as supplying machines, organizing stocks, loading vehicles and moving between production areas.

Oscillation reduction

Long loads can form pendulum movements when they are not correctly balanced.

The distribution of lifting points helps reduce this behavior, making the operation more predictable.

Lower risk of material damage

Mechanical handling systems can exert pressure on edges and surfaces.

Magnetic equipment acts directly on the ferrous material and, when properly dimensioned, can move it without damaging the contact region.

Productivity gains

A suitable solution can facilitate hitching, lifting, transporting and releasing the load.

The activation of magnetic equipment can also be carried out quickly, helping to reduce the time of each movement cycle.

How to define the quantity of magnetic equipment?

The amount of equipment installed on the boom depends on the characteristics of the load and operation.

There is no single configuration for all materials.

Among the factors that need to be considered are:

• Total weight;
• Length and width;
• Thickness;
• Part format;
• Weight distribution;
• Possibility of flexion;
• Quantity of parts moved;
• Area available for contact;
• Material temperature;
• Work regime;
• Lifting system capacity.

A short, thick plate may require a different configuration than that used to move a long, thin plate, even if both have similar weights.

Therefore, total capacity should not be the only selection criterion.

The distance between equipment also matters

In addition to the number of lifting points, it is necessary to correctly define the position of each magnetic equipment on the bar.

When they are very close, the force can remain concentrated in a small region of the load.

When they are too far apart, there may be a lack of support in the central part or at the ends.

The ideal distance depends on the length, stiffness and weight distribution of the material.

In some projects, it may be interesting to allow adjustment of the position of equipment to move loads with different dimensions.

Fixed or adjustable load bar?

The configuration depends on the variety of materials transported.

Bar with fixed positions

It can be indicated when the operation moves parts with similar and repetitive dimensions.

In this case, the equipment is positioned according to an already known load pattern.

Bar with adjustable positions

It may be more appropriate when there is variation in length, shape or distribution of loads.

The ability to adjust lifting points offers greater flexibility, but also requires correct procedures to ensure that equipment is positioned in a balanced way.

The choice must consider the actual operation routine, and not just a single part.

The lifting system needs to be compatible

The load bar, the magnetic equipment and the material moved form a single assembly.

Therefore, the crane, crane or other lifting system must have a capacity compatible with the total weight of the operation.

This analysis must consider:

• Bar weight;
• Weight of magnetic equipment;
• Maximum load weight;
• Installed accessories and components;
• Lifting system limits;
• Space available for movement.

It is also important to check the useful height of the room, as installing the bar and equipment can change the distance between the hook and the load.

Correct sizing is essential

A load bar will only offer the expected benefits when the entire assembly is correctly dimensioned.

Inappropriate choice may cause uneven distribution of efforts, unstable movement or insufficient load capacity.

Therefore, before defining the solution, it is necessary to gather information such as:

• Type of material;
• Minimum and maximum dimensions;
• Weight of each load;
• Number of parts per cycle;
• Temperature;
• Operating frequency;
• Lifting equipment available;
• Space for installation;
• Method of storage and withdrawal.

This data helps define the length of the bar, the number of magnetic equipment and the position of each lifting point.

More safety and efficiency in movement

Load bars play an important role in the movement of large metallic materials.

By distributing magnetic equipment throughout the load, they help increase stability, reduce oscillations and improve control during transport.

However, each operation has its own characteristics. Weight, shape, length and work regime must be evaluated before defining the project.

ITAL develops magnetic solutions for industrial transport, considering the specific needs of each application.

Contact the technical team and find the appropriate configuration for your operation.

Talk to ITAL

WhatsApp: (11) 96416-4821