If you are working on a magnetic application and maximum force is not the only priority, the question of what ferrite magnets are used for becomes highly practical. In many cases, they are not a “cheaper substitute” for more powerful magnets, but the right choice for stable, durable, and cost-effective operation. That’s why they are widely used in industry, technical equipment, and everyday products.

When a magnet appears to be a minor detail in a technical drawing, in real operation it often determines whether a fixture will function reliably or cause issues from day one. That is why choosing a neodymium magnet is not about selecting “the strongest piece available,” but about correctly matching size, shape, surface coating, operating temperature, and the specific application.

Neodymium magnets are among the strongest permanent magnets on the market. Even in a small volume, they can generate high holding force, which is an advantage in clamping, positioning, sensing, closing, and separation. At the same time, their strength can become a drawback in the wrong application. If a magnet is difficult to detach, cracks on impact, loses performance at elevated operating temperature, or corrodes in a humid environment, the issue is usually not the material itself, but the selection.

EBE sensors + motion in Germany has revised its handwheel HR100 for precise machine control using innovative magnetic detent and new Hall-Effect sensor technology. The new design offers significant advantages over conventional models with ball-spring detent. 

Production plants and industrial machines, such as CNC machines, are in constant use and must function, otherwise production comes to a halt. This is where the newly revised handwheel comes into its own. It has 100 detent positions based on Hall sensors and promises an exceptionally long service life compared to conventional systems. While mechanical systems lose precision over time due to wear, the Hall sensors remain precise and reliable throughout their entire service life. The newly designed magnetic detent is also not subject to mechanical abrasion, which not only increases durability but also reduces maintenance costs. 

Enhancing Wood Recycling Efficiency: Drum Separator Innovates Board Production

In an effort to optimize production, a board manufacturing plant in Wielsbeke, Belgium, has taken a significant step forward by integrating a powerful magnetic drum separator into its wood recycling process. This separator plays a crucial role in efficiently removing ferromagnetic metals from wood chips, contributing to the plant's goal of increasing the proportion of recycled wood in board production.

A team of scientists has developed a new mechanism to harvest stray magnetic fields all around us and convert the energy into useful, usable electricity. Source: Magnetics Magazine 08/2020

The electricity that lights our homes and powers our appliances also creates small magnetic fields that are present all around us. Scientists have developed a new mechanism capable of harvesting this wasted magnetic field energy and converting it into enough electricity to power next-generation sensor networks for smart buildings and factories.