Magnetic Assemblies
When buying a magnetic assembly, consider the various holding and breakaway force, field strengths, operating temperatures, dimensional constraints, cost and optimal operation environment, as these factors do change in different assemblies. They may be small, hand-held tools or large, mounted CNC controlled machines that are able to handle a great amount of weight. Whether small or large, magnetic assemblies typically have a much higher magnetic force than any one magnet alone, due to the flux conducting elements (such as steel or iron) of the magnetic assembly that are an essential part of the magnetic circuit achieve by the assembly. As a result, as highly useful magnetic devices, magnetic assemblies are often utilized in industries including military, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, reprographics, automotive, computer and commercial.
Magnetic assemblies operate based upon the incorporation of both magnet alloys and non-magnetic materials. Magnet alloys are very hard materials, which makes it highly difficult to work any other features into the magnet. As a result, instead of being worked into or combined with the magnet alloy, the non-magnetic material operates separately. The non-magnetic materials are often made of steel and their function in the assembly is to compose the housing and magnetic circuit elements. In addition to this function, they also serve to buffer the magnetic material from mechanical stress, thus increasing magnetic strength. Flux conducting elements, also made of steel, work to enhance the magnetic field and focus it on a specific region of interest. The magnetic components of the assemblies are always permanent, meaning they retain magnetism without the aid of a magnetic field and do not generate any electricity or heat. One way to enhance a magnetic assembly is by using different types of magnets in combination with each other, which creates a higher magnet force. They are often alloyed, which is a complex process because even simple features are difficult to incorporate into a magnetic alloy.
