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Okay, I'm designing (not building) a system that sorts metal, paper, and plastic. For the metal part, I'm using an electromagnet. But the part where the paper and the plastic are separated has confused me. Are there any ways to separate paper from plastic, without having people do it? Can a Van de Graaff generator be used? If so, will the plastic be attracted or repelled from it? Will the paper be attracted or repelled? If they both attract, it will not work and if they both repell it won't work either. Will the Van de Graaff generator work? If not, are there any other ways to separate plastic and paper?
2 Answers
- ?Lv 74 years ago
Not all metals are magnetic. If I wanted an automated sorter, I would look at some of the many you tube videos demonstrating single stream recycling. None seem totally automated, all use people. One thing really important about automation is if you automate a lousy process, you will get lousy automation. Good process design frequently results in a simple enough process that automation has no benefit. If you can use people, just copy one of the ones on the internet that looks the best to you.
- PhilomelLv 74 years ago
Generally they are separated by a fast moving belt. When they fly off the end of the belt the plastic travels farther than the paper over and into two trash bins.
