U

RECTANGULAR S
MAGNETIC CHUCKS E
R
’
S

M
A
N
U
A
L

1
USER’S MANUAL

This user’s manual is the document that goes with the lifting magnet since its construction until its dismantling and
it is an integral part of it.

It is essential reading this manual carefully before using the lifting magnet.

This manual is an integral part of the lifting magnet and should be accessible to the staff responsible for the use
and maintenance.

The operator and maintenance manager must know the contents of this manual. Maintaining the essential
characteristics of the type of equipment described, SELTER reserves the right to make any changes in the
components, details and accessories, which considerers appropriated to improve the product or for any
constructive or business requirements, at any time and without compromise to update this publication.

ATTENTION, ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED.

It is prohibited to reproduce any part of this manual, in any form without written permission from SELTER, S.A.

CAUTION
This equipment generates magnetic fields.
Careless handling can cause accidents and injuries.
Read the following recommendations before handling.

 Avoid the presence of iron elements near the magnetic zone (ie,
beams, cranes, doors, etc.).
 Be especially careful when unpacking the load with iron objects (ex.
knives, scissors, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.).
 When manipulating two or more devices, place them separately
at a safe distance between them, so they do not attract each other.
 To release clamped magnets, slide one over the other to prevent
pinching fingers.
 Electronic equipment (eg, pacemakers, hearing aids, computers,
monitors, watches, measuring instruments and control, etc..) and
containers of information (eg, floppy disks, credit cards, magnetic
tapes, etc..) can be distorted or damaged by a magnetic field. Keep
these items at a suitable distance from the magnetic systems.

2
APPLICATION

Remember that the chuck should be ground before starting work, with the lever in position magnetised, and using
abundant refrigerant to avoid excessive heating

This magnetic chuck is specially designed for holding steel pieces in machine tools. It has transversal pole spacing
and each iron strip in the top plate forms a pole with a North sign and South sign alternatively. It is adequate for
machining different types of pieces depending on the model of chuck.

NOR-POL: 6-5 pole spacing (6 mm of iron and 5 of brass). It is adaptable to grinding machines, spark erosion
machines, and others. Adequate for all types of pieces, from 2 mm thick to the biggest of pieces.

FI-POL: 6-1.5-2-1.5 pole spacing (6 mm of iron, 1,5 of brass, 2 of iron and 1,5 of brass). This model is adequate
for to grinding machines and spark erosion machines. Even the smallest of pieces (less than 2 mm thick) up to the
biggest can be machined.

MAX-POL: 8-5 pole spacing (8 mm of iron and 5 of brass). This is especially adequate for work in milling
machines. Pieces should be more than 5 mm thick. It can also be installed on grinding machines, spark erosion
machines, and others.

EXTRAFINE POL: 1,5-0,8 pole spacing (1,5 mm of iron and 0,8 mm of brass). For very small or very thin pieces
in grinding machines and spark erosion machines.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
ATTENTION: The temperature of the chuck must not exceed 60°C, as it may affect performance and even damage
the chuck. The magnetising system is manual. If it is wished to install an automatic system, the SELTER technical
service should be consulted first.

Due to the nature of magnetic holding it is advisable to take precautions before starting any job, as the piece could
come loose. A safety distance must be maintained from the machine while it is in operation and one should not
position oneself in the path of the piece if it were to be expelled.

NOTE: Due to the type of construction of the chuck it cannot be used for work where the top plate might receive
knocks or blows, neither must holes be made in it without prior consultation, as it could be damaged beyond repair.

3
INSTALATION
All SELTER chucks leave the factory with the base and the top plate ground to a perfectly smooth finish, ready for
use. To fit the chuck into the machine follow these instructions:

1. Check that the machine table is clean and free from nick and burrs.
2. Carefully clean the base of the chuck and check that it has not been damaged during transport.
3. Place the chuck on the machine table, in the work area. Check that it is well seated and that there is nothing
between the table and the base of the chuck. Remember that the chuck lever must be accessible and it must be easy
to turn (the lever has to be able to turn through 180°).
4. Fix the chuck in place with clamps on the ledges at the ends of the chuck.
5. If the chuck is mounted on a grinding machine, the chuck should be ground before starting work. In this case
follow these instructions: Magnetise the chuck by rotating the lever or levers 180º (there are chucks with 2 levers).
Grind the chuck surface to make it perfectly flat using abundant refrigerant during this process to avoid excessive
heating.
6. In the situation of fitting a chuck on top of a bigger magnetic chuck that has already been ground and is perfectly
flat, it does not need grinding.
7. When not using the chuck, apply a thin coat of grease or oil to its surface to prevent oxidation.
8. Due to the welding process used in the construction of the top plate of the chuck, it is possible that small amounts
of the chemical substance used will be present, producing small marks on the surface of the chuck. These marks do
not affect in any way either the quality or the performance of the chuck.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Before using the chuck read the section: Factors affecting the magnetic holding force.

1. The contact surfaces of the chuck and the pieces must be perfectly flat and clean.
2. Place the pieces on the chuck, distributing them uniformly and avoiding the edges. In the case of one piece
only, place it in the centre of the chuck.
3. To magnetise, rotate the lever or levers 180º in a clockwise direction.
4. Check by hand that the pieces are firmly held in position before starting work.
5. Machine the pieces, using the end stop rules if needed (see section: Recommendations for use).
6. Once the chuck has been used, demagnetise by turning the key 180º anticlockwise.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE (A)

End stop

This magnetic chuck has some end stop rules that can be used F Fy Cutter

to support the pieces to be machined. For most grinding jobs, Fx

Fx Workpiece
especially for large pieces, it may not be necessary; however, Fx
Fy Magnetic chuck
when grinding smaller pieces they should be used to achieve
greater holding power and to work more safely.
Machining forces in milling machines are generally much higher
End stop
than in grinding machines and the slipping force might be of an
Workpiece
intermittent nature as each tooth or plate is tapped; also the Fy
Cutter

F
direction of the forces change all the time. Magnetic slipping (B) Fy

resistance is weaker than the forces of traction for which reason Fx Fx

Magnetic chuck
it is important to use the end stops. Sometimes it is necessary
to place blocks between the piece and the end stop rules to

4
maintain the piece in the centre of the chuck.
During machining with milling cutters (Fig. A) operations have to be carried out in such a way that the horizontal
cutting forces coincide with the end stop, in this way the magnetic chuck supports the vertical forces, and only a part
of the horizontal forces. In planning (Fig. B) the direction of advance of the table must be adjusted so that the cutting
forces push the piece towards the end stops rules.

It is recommended that the manner of operation be fixed for each job (depth of cut, direction of advance, position of
the piece, etc.) so that they are the optimum ones for maximum holding force and stability.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE MAGNETIC HOLDING FORCE

The holding force depends on the magnetic flux generated by the chuck, but certain factors which limit or impede the
flow of the magnetic flux to the piece and reduce the holding capacity should be taken into account: 1. The contact
area. 2. The thickness of the piece. 3. The contact surface conditions. 4. The material of the piece.

1. The contact area

The holding force is directly proportional to the contact area of the piece with the chuck. Large pieces with large
contact surfaces offer sufficient resistance to the machining forces, however small pieces with small contact surfaces
will not withstand certain types of machining. The piece should be placed on the chuck in such a way that it covers
the largest possible number of poles (each steel strip is a pole).

2. The thickness of the piece

The magnetic flux needs a certain minimum thickness of material (iron) to be able to work. If the pieces are really thin
and do not reach this minimum thickness, then they will not be able to absorb the magnetic flux generated by the
chuck and the holding force will be lessened.

3. Contact surface conditions Level of surface finish Holding force

To achieve good magnetic holding, the contact surfaces, both of
the chuck as well as the piece, must be in optimum condition. Ground 90-100 %
Pieces that are not completely flat or with a rough finish have a Fine milled 60-80 %
worse holding capacity than those with a ground surface. It is Rough milled 40-50 %
important to maintain the surface of the chuck in good condition, Cast finish 20-30 %
grinding it when necessary.

4. Material
The material of the piece is very important for good magnetic Material Holding force
holding. Soft steels (low carbon content) present the best
Non-alloy steel 0.1-0.3 % C 100 %
holding (100%). However, there are others with high
percentages of carbon alloys of other materials, which lose Non-alloy steel 0.4-0.5 % C 90 %
their holding capacity. Also some heat treatments reduce the No distorting alloy-steel 80-90 %
capacity of steels to be held by magnetic chucks. In general, Grey casting 40-60 %
the harder the steel, the worse they behave, and have a No distorting alloy-steel
30-50 %
tendency to retain magnetism once they have been removed hardened to 55-60 HRc
from the chuck. Sometimes it can even be difficult to remove Austenitic stainless steel,
0%
the piece from the chuck. brass, aluminium, copper

5
MAINTENANCE
This chuck hardly needs maintenance. It is only necessary to grind the surface of the chuck periodically to avoid
loss of holding force. The maximum thickness of material that can be removed from the surface of the chuck, which
is 8 mm, should be taken into account. It is recommended that the surface of the chuck not be ground more than
necessary so as to prolong its working life.

During the welding process of the top plate, chemical substances are used. Before packing, the surface of the
chuck is grinded and small amounts of these substances emerge. They oxidize in contact with the air. These marks
are rust and do not affect in any way neither the quality nor the performance of the chuck.

This chuck contains oil: for lubrication and damping of displacement of the movable inner plate. The chuck does not
consume oil, but a loss could occur: due to disassembly of the chuck, shaft wear or other causes; then add oil
through the holes in the front side, marked with the word "OIL". All chucks contain hydraulic oil type, eg SAE-10 or
ISO-32. Do not completely fill the chuck, only until the level of these holes, being the chuck in horizontal position.

REPAIR
These equipments can only be checked or repaired by specialists. Inadequate repairs can cause considerable
damage to the machine and the user. Use only original SELTER spares.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

C/ Montnegre, 52
E-17006 GIRONA (Spain)
Tel: (+34) 972 23 30 30
selter@selter.es

END OF USEFUL LIFE

At the end of its useful life, it should be transferred to a suitable storage for a subsequent processing and use of
recyclable parts.
This equipment contains substances that may be harmful to the environment and human health.

ATTENTION

This product cannot be disposed as a selectable urban waste. At the end of

its useful life it must be deposited to a suitable establishment for storage
and further processing and recycling (according directive 2006/12/CE).

6
 GUARANTEE CERTIFICATE

SELTER, S.A.
C/ Montnegre, 52-54
E-17006 GIRONA (ESPAÑA)
PERMANENT RECTANGULAR MAGNETIC CHUCKS

SELTER guarantees this product against all manufacturing

defects and/or defective parts for a period of 12 months from
date of delivery.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

 This guarantee does not consider the intervention of the personnel of

Selter in the place where the unit is installed, nor the costs of the
disassembling. Unit must be shipped to the Selter factory, being freight
in charge of the customer.
 This guarantee does not cover damages caused by wear, falls, incorrect
use or damage due to external causes.
 This guarantee is not valid in case of outstanding payment.
 This guarantee loses its validity if the unit is manipulated by an
unauthorised person.
 Damages to other items as a consequence of a defect of this unit are not
covered by this guarantee
 For the use of this guarantee it is necessary to enclose with the unit,
original or copy, of the delivery note or the invoice.

In accordance with Directive 2006/42 / EC, this equipment

does not require a CE declaration of conformity.

7
SELTER, S.A.
C/ Montnegre, 52
E-17006 GIRONA (Spain)
Tel: (+34) 972 233 030
www.selter.es
selter@selter.es