Plate magnets are widely used for removing Tramp Iron such as Bolts, Nuts, Bits of Wire, Nails and other casual contamination from free flowing materials, like corn, sugar, flour, gravel, plastic and other granular materials. As the material pass over or under the magnet plate, tramp metal is pulled to the magnet's working surface and held in place until removed.

Plate magnet can be designed in a wide of models, configurations and sizes to meet with specific operations and plant conditions. They are usually carried in angled chutes, ducts, spouts or suspended above conveyors, screens and feed trays to protect against occasional damage to the plant caused by bits.