an apparatus for separating non - ferrous metal particles from residue composed of rubber , dirt , wood , plastic , glass , an the like , as well as the non - ferrous metal particles . the residue is transported by a conveyor belt over a pair of rotating magnetic separating discs which generate a magnetic field flux upward . this magnetic field flux induces an eddy current in the non - ferrous metal particles . the eddy current is a repulsive force to the magnetic field flux , which enables the non - ferrous metal particles to be levitated above the conveyor belt and the other residue material . the rotation of the field accelerates the particles off the side of the conveyor belt , into discharge chutes which collect the separated particles for recycling . the other residue material is collected at the end of the conveyor belt .