On the experimental setup based on Eddy current meant to metallic parts identification

The metallic waste management, from industrial or household activities, is of great actuality. In this context, the sorting of the mixtures of metallic materials and the identification of the non-ferrous and ferrous metallic pieces is of high interest for operators in the field. This paper presents the results achieved using our experimental device based on eddy currents for ferrous and non-ferrous materials identification. The device allows the measurement of the current through a high-frequency probe coil, in different situations, as follows: the probe coil in the air, near ferrous and non-ferrous metallic parts. The device is able to identify types of metallic materials based on the changes of the coil impedance and consequently the changes of the measured currents at constant voltage amplitude, due to the magnetic field of the induced eddy currents. The changes of the coil electric impedance at high frequency supply voltage are due to the material properties, such as electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability.