ATEX no longer EXTRA for magnetic separation

Phil Black - PII Editor 09/03/2009

100 1 minute read

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Eclipse Magnetics have recently become the only manufacturer of magnetic separation equipment to receive ATEX ‘type approval’ allowing it to now provide an unmatched ‘one stop’ design, supply and certification service.

Without type approval every completed separation unit must be sent to an outside agency for ATEX certification before delivery to the customer, obviously an expensive and time-consuming procedure. With type approval, Eclipse Magnetics is able to supply fully ATEX certified magnetic separators direct from its Sheffield base, meaning significantly shortened turnaround and unit testing costs at a fraction of those offered by other manufacturers.

Steve McAllorum, General Sales Manager for Engineered Products is understandably happy:
‘It’s great news because we’re now able to provide a unique service that will benefit our customers and we’re also allowing ourselves a bit of self-congratulation because it’s testimony to the work we’ve put in in gaining approval and the professionalism of the team.’

Type approval requires a rigorous examination of all areas of product manufacture including the skills and knowledge of product engineers. Every single component that goes into the product must also conform to ATEX standards. Eclipse Magnetics’s approval was granted by world renowned certification body, BASEEFA. Gaining full ATEX accreditation has already helped win Eclipse Magnetics contracts with two international food-processing groups.

ATEX is the Europe-wide certification required for equipment that is installed in potentially explosive environments. This includes areas where powders, such as flour, are processed. Even an apparently inert powder can be highly explosive when dispersed in air. Magnetic separators are essential in most food, pharmaceutical and chemical process lines and, where these lines at risk of explosion, they are legally required to be ATEX certified.

For more information about Eclipse Magnetics’s magnetic separation equipment please contact:
Martyn Cotterill (Technical Sales Engineer, Separation)
+44 (0)114 225 0550
mcotterill@eclipse-magnetics.co.uk
www.eclipse-magnetics.co.uk