The terms are often used interchangeably in industrial settings, but strictly speaking, a magnetic conveyor (or overband magnetic separator) sits above or across a material stream and lifts out ferrous metal as goods pass beneath it — it's a metal-removal device, not a general-purpose belt conveyor.

Generally, no. Overband magnetic separators are designed to capture magnetic ferrous metals like mild steel and iron. Most grades of stainless steel are non-magnetic and will pass through without being separated.

An inline overband magnet is mounted parallel to material flow and typically produces cleaner ferrous output with less belt wear, while a cross-belt design is mounted perpendicular to the flow and discharges separated metal to the side of the conveyor rather than along its length.

The most effective position is above the head pulley or discharge point, where material spreads out and tramp iron is more exposed and easier to pull out, compared to mounting further back along a loaded belt.

Removal efficiency typically ranges from roughly 70–90%, depending on factors like magnet strength, material flow rate, burden depth, and how the unit is positioned relative to the conveyor.

Yes — magnetic conveyors are commonly customized by belt width, magnet strength, mounting configuration (inline or cross-belt), and manual vs. automatic operation, based on the material stream, flow rate, and the type of ferrous contamination expected.