Hard disk drives
A hard disk drive records data by magnetising and demagnetising a thin film of ferromagnetic material on a disk. Each disk is separated into many tracks and sectors and each sector has many tiny individual magnetic cells which are magnetised by the drives read/write head when data is written to the drive. Hard drive heads are made from ceramic wrapped in a fine wire coil.
Dentures
Tiny neodymium magnets can be used for attachments in corrective devices or for holding together replacement dentures where several teeth are missing. Because of their strength, even tiny neodymium magnets can be effective and when coated they have an increased resistance to corrosion.
Magnetically coupled pumps
Magnetically coupled pumps consist of a motor-driven shaft with an attached ring of powerful magnets and another smaller ring of magnets attached to another shaft connected to the impeller that sits within the larger ring of magnets. As the motor turns the drive shaft and one set of magnets, the magnetic field generated turns the other set of magnets which powers the impeller.
Door catches
Electric motors rely upon a combination of an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, usually a neodymium magnet to convert electric energy into mechanical energy. A generator is the reverse, it converts mechanical energy into electric energy by moving a conductor through a magnetic field.
Neodymium magnets are used in public, commercial and residential buildings to create magnetic door catches. Countersunk or pot magnets recessed into the surface of a door are used to attract another wall mounted magnet or steel disk. Strong neodymium magnets will easily hold the weight of a door and the leverage provided by the door means the magnets can be easily separated.
Motors and generators
Electric motors rely upon a combination of an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, usually a neodymium magnet to convert electric energy into mechanical energy. A generator is the reverse, it converts mechanical energy into electric energy by moving a conductor through a magnetic field.
Jewellery
Small magnets are used in the production of jewellery and for jewellery clasps. Counter-bored neodymium magnets with opposite poles on the counter-bored faces provide a secure hold and because neodymium is the strongest magnetic material in the world a magnet just 5mm in diameter can be effective.
Bearings
Magnetic bearings use the concept of magnetic levitation to support moving parts without physical contact. They are used to enable relative motion with very low friction and no mechanical wear even at incredible speeds. Bearings known as passive magnetic bearings use permanent magnets such as neodymium magnet while active magnetic bearings use electromagnets.
MRI scanners
MRI scanners produce a large magnetic field which aligns the protons in a human body in the direction of the magnetic field. Radio frequency waves are then directed at the body producing detailed internal images. Many 'open' MRI machines used in hospitals use large neodymium magnets, they literally help save lives.
Magnetic therapy
Although not clinically proven, many people believe that magnets can relieve pain by subjecting parts of the body to magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets. Because of their strength, neodymium magnets are a popular choice for believers in magnetic therapy.
ABS (anti-lock braking) system sensors
Passive ABS sensors use neodymium magnets wrapped inside copper coils. A sensor is placed close to the ABS reluctor ring and as the ring rotates a voltage is induced in the copper wire. This signal is monitored by the vehicle's computer system and used to define wheel speed.
Levitation devices
Commercially, electromagnets are used for levitation applications such as magnetic levitation transport. However, the availability and affordability of small, strong neodymium magnets means that you can do your own magnetic levitation experiments at home. The trick known as diamagnetic levitation also requires a diamagnetic material such as pyrolytic graphite.
Lifting machinery
Permanent magnets are essential in the heavy engineering and manufacturing industries, used for lifting large ferrous items. Switchable release magnets using super-strong neodymium magnets are commonly used as they are supplied with a quick-release switching mechanism.
Magnetic separators
Most processing facilities will use some form of magnetic separation system to remove contaminating ferrous and paramagnetic items from production or processing lines. This is usually done using a form of conveyor system and strong filter rod magnets.
Reed switches
A reed switch is a switch operated by a magnetic field. Reed switches consist of contacts placed on ferrous reeds, encased in a sealed glass tube. They can be designed to be open or closed by default in the absence of a magnetic field and are activated by bringing a neodymium magnet close to the switch. A typical use for reed switches is detecting the opening and closing of doors in burglary alarm systems.
Crafts and model-making
Neodymium magnets are very popular among craft enthusiasts and model-makers. Because they are so powerful, even a tiny magnet can generate enough magnetic pull to be effective.
Print finishing
Small neodymium magnets are widely used in the print finishing industry as a thin magnet will be powerful enough to attract another magnet even if both are secreted beneath a layer of card, paper or plastic. We have many customers that use our magnets as hidden closures for brochures, binders, boxes, menus and high-end packaging. Usually a pair of magnets is used, but the same effect can be achieved with one magnet and a steel disc.