Abstract: An apparatus for separating piled iron sheets one by one has a plurality of magnets arranged vertically with the same magnetic poles thereof facing each other. Magnetic fluxes generated from the magnets react with each other at a position between the magnets and flow horizontally and then vertically, with the result that opposite, vertically separating forces act on two superposed iron sheets.

Abstract: A movable yoke-type lifting magnet device including a core having first and second ends and at least one yoke provided so as to be movable relative to the core in a vertical direction at each of the first and second ends of the core. A movable framework and a drive member for driving the movable framework relative to the core are further provided for lifting and lowering each yoke relative to the core. When the movable framework is driven upwards, the movable framework engages with each yoke and forcibly lifts each yoke. When the movable framework is driven downwards, the movable framework releases the yokes to allow them to move downwards by their own weight and to be gently brought into contact with a workpiece to be lifted.