NAFSA solenoids and electromagnets, electromagnetic bolts
2021-05-21

Electromagnetic bolts - what they are and why use them?

Electromagnetic bolts (or electrical locking bolts) are essentially solenoids, with the plunger engineered to support external radial forces. This allows them to be used as locking devices, whether working simply as a traditional push to lock or power on to engage the lock.

The application possibilities are numerous, with passive or active security options. Passive devices ensure ‘locking’ in the application without any voltage applied, and due to the plunger design, it is kept locked until a voltage is applied. 

The active electromagnetic bolt is functionally like a regular solenoid – it is closed and only active in the locked position when a voltage is applied.

Both passive and active have many options for force provided, duty cycle and plunger styles.

What are typical applications of solenoids and electromagnets?

  • Door locking and access control – electromagnet to hold a door open or closed
  • Food and medical machinery – solenoids as locking pins once a section is in place
  • Factory automation – machine part holding electromagnets
  • Vending machines – solenoids to open or lock access points, move vending flaps and guides
  • Lifts and elevators – locking bolts as security and safety features
  • Agricultural machinery – solenoid to open/close dispensing valves on casting machinery
  • Automotive industry – multiple options for solenoid locks, holding magnets to lock doors

Advantages of electromagnetic bolts

  • Efficient and compact
  • Overall cost saving over manually operated labour intensive lock
  • Output options for the position of the plunger
  • Traceability of the signal as part of a full system

Why choose Nafsa products? 

  • Large range of products
  • Personalisation and customisation for volume enquiries (typically 1000+)
  • European reliability
  • Tooling redundancy policy (same production tooling in all factories) able to produce all devices

Who are NAFSA?

NAFSA, based in Guernica, Spain, have been designing and manufacturing electromagnetic products since 1996.

With their specialist knowledge in the electromagnet field, they lead the way in this industry. NAFSA manufacture the following items which can be bought from OEM Automatic:

  • Industrial electromagnets
  • Holding electromagnets
  • Solenoids
  • Latching electromagnets
  • Two-way linear electromagnets
  • Electromagnetic bolts

Do you have an application for an electromagnetic product? The specialists in our motor products team are on hand to help. E-mail them at [email protected] or call 0116 284 9900.

You can see NAFSA's full range of products here - Solenoids & Electromagnets.

Blog

Related Products

Contact us

Contact us

If you need any help, you can contact us in one of the following ways:
0116 284 9900
Send e-mail
Use live chat
Do you need help?
Logo

Cookie settings for OEM.CO.UK

Cookies help us improve your experience with us, so in order to be able to handle login information, offer you personalised content and for basic functionality of this website, we use some cookies.

We will never sell on any information about you. 

You can accept all cookies or personalise your cookies preferences, you can also change your cookie preferences at any time by visiting our contact page.

Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to work and can not be turned off in our systems. They are usually used only in response to actions you have taken in connection with a service request, for example when setting personal preferences, logging in or filling out a form.

Analysis and measurement cookies

These cookies allow us to count the number of visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve our website performance. They help us know which pages are more or less popular and how visitors navigate around the site. The information that these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore completely anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we do not know when you have visited our website.

Marketing cookies

These cookies can be added by our partners. They can use them to create a profile of you, based on your interests, to show you more relevant information. They do not store any personal information - only information about your browser and device. If you do not accept these cookies, you will have a more general and less customized user experience.