Correlated Magnetics Research (CMR) has announced the desktop version of its precision magnetizer that launched in December of last year. The Mini MagPrinter is targeted toward product design and prototyping with customized magnets made possible by CMR’s new magnetics technology. The Mini MagPrinter system includes CMR’s Polymagnet Catalog of pre-engineered magnetic functions, and the design software to customize magnet strength and behavior.
The Mini MagPrinter is a rapid-prototyping magnetization system that “prints” arrays of magnetic regions onto a single piece of magnetic material to produce a Polymagnet. A Polymagnet is a patterned magnet tailored to perform novel magnetic functions that designers can integrate into consumer and industrial products. Each Polymagnet is a system of smaller magnets, both north and south poles, that are imprinted by the MagPrinter. A conventional magnet can be turned into a Polymagnet by placing the magnet into the MagPrinter, choosing a pattern from the Polymagnet Catalog and re-programming the magnet to exhibit a number of different functions. The Mini MagPrinter produces Polymagnets on the strongest Neodymium magnets, flexible materials, ferrites and specialized materials such as samarium cobalt.
“CMR’s first MagPrinter made programmable magnet systems possible by defining magnets in software for variable strength, reach and function. Defining a magnet in software is a huge improvement over conventional magnets, which are defined simply by their size and grade,” said Andy Keane, president and CEO of Correlated Magnetics Research. “Our new desktop MagPrinter will do for magnetics what 3D printing systems did for mechanical prototyping. Designers now have a powerful prototyping tool for programmable magnetics in an affordable desktop system that is perfect for consumer and industrial engineering teams.”
Polymagnet applications range from advanced functions not possible with conventional magnets to very high strength magnets for traditional attachment. With more sophisticated patterns, Polymagnets behave as magnetic springs, latches or connectors that self-align with very high precision. When used for attachment, a Polymagnet concentrates the strength near the surface of the magnet. This not only increases the attachment strength more than five times that of a conventional magnet, but it also reduces the risk to magnetically sensitive electronics and the accidental attraction of nearby metal or other magnets. All of these behaviors can be customized using CMR’s Polymagnet design software.
For more information and pricing about CMR’s MagPrinter systems and the CMR Polymagnet Catalog for programmable magnets, contact CMR or visit www.correlatedmagnetics.com.
