Automated Metal Sorting System Using Magnetic Separation and Eddy Current Roller Technology

Efficient recovery of metals from mixed waste streams remains a critical challenge in modern recycling systems due to material heterogeneity and increasing waste volume. This paper presents the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of an automated metal sorting system that integrates magnetic separation and eddy current roller technology. The system operates in two stages: ferrous metals are extracted using a permanent magnetic separator, followed by non-ferrous metal separation using a high-speed eddy current rotor. Experimental evaluation was conducted by varying conveyor speed, rotor speed, and feed rate. Results indicate that separation efficiency is strongly dependent on operational parameters, with an optimal rotor speed range and reduced efficiency at higher conveyor speeds due to limited interaction time. The system achieved ferrous separation efficiency above 90% and non-ferrous efficiency up to 91% under optimized conditions. The proposed system provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for small-scale recycling applications while highlighting the importance of parameter tuning for performance optimization.