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HOME : TECHNOLOGY CENTER : APPLICATIONS : APPLICATIONS GUIDE How are magnets used? To answer this question, let’s review the key features of each of our product groups, identify specific applications for each product, and then go into detail about the operation of various magnetic devices. Categories of Permanent Magnet Applications with Examples Permanent magnet applications in general can be divided into four categories, as follows: CATEGORY #1 Applications that make use of the tractive and/or repelling force of the magnet, i.e., the attraction between a magnet and a soft magnetic material, such as a piece of iron or steel, or the attraction or repulsion between two magnets, is used to do mechanical work. The following applications are in this category: Magnetic separators, magnetic holding devices, such as magnetic latches. Magnetic torque drives Magnetic bearing devices CATEGORY #2 Applications that make use of the magnetic field of the magnet to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. Some of these applications are: Magnetos Generators and alternators Eddy current brakes (used widely for watt-hour meter damping). (This application could be listed under electrical to mechanical energy conversion; but as mechanical energy is used to create the eddy currents, it will be discussed with this group.) CATEGORY #3 Applications that make use of the magnetic field of the magnet to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. Some of these applications are: Motors Meters Loudspeakers Relays Actuators, linear, and rotational CATEGORY #4 Applications that use the magnetic field of the magnet to direct, shape and control electron or ion beams. Some of these applications follow: Magnetic focused cathode-ray tubes Traveling Wave Tubes Magnetrons, BWO’s, Klystrons Ion Pumps Cyclotrons Matching Arnold Products to Applications The purpose of a permanent magnet is to produce flux in the working gap of a device. Obviously all permanent magnetic material will produce flux, but depending upon the working application, certain material types, grades and shapes will be more efficient than others. The following is a breakdown by product line applications that are most suitable for a material’s characteristics: CAST ALNICO The key attributes of Cast Alnico are: Mechanically strong Cast to a variety of shapes Very temperature stable Can change magnetic orientation High Br and Bhmax characteristics compared to ceramic materials. SINTERED ALNICO The key attributes of Sintered Alnico are: Mechanically strongest of the Alnicos Close tolerance pressing/typically minimum grinding NOTE: Both cast and sintered Alnico have low Hc when compared to ceramic or rare earth materials. ALNICO APPLICATIONS General applications for both cast and sintered Alnico are: Electron tubes, radar, traveling wave tubes. Separators, holding magnets, coin acceptors, clutches and bearings. Magnetos, motors, generators, meters, instruments, controls, relays, watt-hour meters (bearings and dampeners). Communications, receivers, telephones, microphones, bell ringers, musical instruments (guitar pickups). Automotive sensors, loudspeakers, cow magnets, distributors. FERRITE (CERAMIC) MAGNETS Key attributes of ceramic magnets & Arnold’s products are: Economical High Hc and Hci compared to Alnico On the negative side, ceramics are good for simple shapes only, very fragile, require expensive tooling, and temperature sensitive (0.2%°C.) FERRITE MAGNET APPLICATIONS Generally ceramic magnets are used in: DC permanent magnet motors used in the automobile industry for blowers, window lifts, windshield wipers, etc. (NOTE: Many of the motors come from outside sources not tied directly to the auto company itself). Separators to remove ferrous materials from liquid powder and bulk commodities. Magnetic Resonate Imaging, MRI Magnetos used on lawnmowers, garden tractors and outboard motors. DC brushless motors with controllers for speed and direction. SAMARIUM COBALT While being quite expensive, samarium cobalt magnets are: High Hc and Hci High Bhmax Very good temperature stability Powerful for size On the negative side, samarium cobalt is price sensitive due to cobalt supply and demand. SAMARIUM COBALT APPLICATIONS Samarium Cobalt is used in these general applications: Traveling wave tubes Computer rigid disc drives D.C. Motors (where temperature stability is vital, such as, Military use-satellite systems, small military motors) sensors, growing automotive applications and linear actuators. NEODYMIUM Key reasons for using Neodymium are: High energy for size More economical than Samarium Cobalt Good in ambient temperature situations Very high Hc and Hci output On the negative side of neodymium are relatively high price, corrosion that can result in loss of energy, and temperature coefficient of .13%/ degree centigrade. NEODYMIUM APPLICATIONS Some of the ever-growing list of uses are: Computer rigid disc drives Linear actuators Hammerbank printers Speakers Microphone assemblies Magnetic separators DC Motors & Automotive starters Servo Motors Accuracy Statement While we make every effort to ensure that the information contained in these documents is complete and accurate, we make no warranty regarding this. Please see our disclaimer statement. 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