Using our m-axis testing equipment, magnetic moment, remanence and magnetization direction of magnetic dipoles can be characterized with high precision.
The calculation is based on determination of the dipole using an integrated AMR sensor set-up. The three-dimensional position (x, y, z) of the magnet as well as its magnetic moment (m) and the angular direction (ϕ, θ) of the magnetization are determined simultaneously.
A rotatable axis allows for 360°-rotation during the measurement process, delivering more than 160 distinct measurements that are ultimately averaged. The angular accuracy is ± 0.1%.
We can provide tabular and graphic illustration of size and magnetic orientation angle.
Contact us with your requirements, and we will apply our engineering knowledge of aerospace, sensor, metering, and other precision applications to your project.
To understand what makes a material magnetic, you have to think small. Really small. Like atom small. Atoms are the basic building blocks that come together to form molecules, which come together for form, well, just about everything around you!
Inside every atom there are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive electrical charge, neutrons are “neutral” (with no electrical charge), and electrons have a negative electrical charge. Now pay attention to these electrons – they’re the key to our magnetic puzzle! See, every electron generates a magnetic field, but the field is only magnetic when the electrons’ electrical charges are pointed in the same direction.
See, most of the electrons in an atom exist in pairs that spin in opposite directions, so that the magnetic effect of one electron in a pair cancels out the effect of the other one. But if an atom has some unpaired electrons, these produce net magnetic fields that can line up with one another…and turn the whole atom into a mini magnet!
So there you go. The simple answer is that it’s the way the electrons’ charges are lined up in the atoms that form certain materials that makes those materials magnetic.
But wait. How does all this translate into the magnets that Adams sells? Well, some materials have a more favorable arrangement of electrons and produce a lot of magnetism that we can use. The elements Iron, Nickel and Cobalt are the only ones that have such a beneficial arrangement at room temperature. All the popular permanent magnet materials are based on one or more of these three elements along with some additives to produce an optimum arrangement of electrons. Different additives optimize the properties for different applications. Economics and performance requirements determine which elements and additives are used to create a specific permanent magnet. Because of its low cost, Iron is the predominant element.
Flexible magnets involve adding rubber particles to produce their elasticity.
Alnico magnets use Iron, Nickel, Cobalt along with Aluminum and Titanium to produce a magnet with exceptional high-temperature performance
Ceramic magnets add Oxygen and Barium/Strontium to Iron to produce a cost-effective material
Samarium Cobalt magnets add Samarium to Cobalt/Iron to produce a very strong magnet material that works well at high temperatures
Neodymium Iron Boron magnets use Neodymium, Boron and other trace elements to Iron to produce the most powerful material currently available.
If your brain is still spinning and wants to know what makes the electrons’ magnetic fields line up in the same direction and why the particles in electrons give off magnetic fields to begin with, right now you’re out of luck! Scientists haven’t gotten that far yet. If we find out, we’ll let you know!
Magnets are like people. Some don’t like the heat, some don’t like the cold. Some are strong and some damage easily. And some are more dangerous than others.
It may seem like a lot to keep in mind, but handling and storing magnets properly is the best way to assure optimal and long-lasting magnetization. Here are some best practices to help you maximize your magnet performance.
Permanent Magnets
Always consider safety first when handling permanent magnets. That means the use of gloves and safety glasses, and being careful to avoid the pinching of hands and skin, which can happen without proper care. Don’t put them in your pockets.
Careful handling is necessary to prevent chips and cracks, and that starts when you remove them from the box. For this reason, it’s best to leave installation and disassembly of any magnetized assemblies to trained personnel.
For storage, the original packaging should be your first option. Try not to store them loosely, or mix different magnet types. If you are storing different magnets, keep them at a safe distance (so opposite poles won’t be attracted), and outside their magnetic field range.
In addition, it’s recommended that you keep permanent magnets away from:
Explosive gas
High temperatures
Hydrogen or saltwater environments
Loose ferrous materials
Magnetically stored data
Pacemakers
Radiation
These tips apply to all permanent magnets, but different types of permanent and non-permanent magnets also have different needs.
Temperature is not a concern with Alnico magnets, though storage in a low humidity environment is recommended. Arrange smaller magnets in attracting rows wrapped in foam or cardboard, and package larger magnets individually. Magnets stored on metal shelving can move or jump as they are accessed, especially if there is inadequate clearance between shelves.
The biggest concern with Alnico magnets is their susceptibility to demagnetization. Use keepers to prevent this, and keep them away from magnetically sensitive equipment or magnets made from a different alloy.
Start with a clean, dry and mild temperature environment for storage and use. Stack flexible magnets flat to avoid curling, and make sure their magnetic sides are not facing each other. If you prefer to store them rolled, keep the roll on its end with the non-magnetic side facing out. And always keep them off the floor, where they could attract fine iron particles, as that will impact performance.
Rare Earth: Corrosion and flux leakage are higher concerns with rare earth magnets. Keep them in low humidity and away from extreme high temperatures, and store smaller magnets wrapped in corrosion inhibiting paper (VCI). Place them away from magnetically sensitive equipment or magnets made from a different alloy and, as with Alnico and Ceramic magnets, if you use metal shelving for storage be sure the shelves are far enough apart, to prevent the magnets from moving or jumping.
These are fairly brittle magnets. They’ll usually be fine if you drop them on the floor – just don’t drop them off a roof of a ten-story building. Try to keep them away from salt water and acids. Other than that, store them responsibly and Samarium Cobalt magnets should last decades.
Like Samarium Cobalt magnets, Neodymium is another type of permanent magnet that is fairly brittle. They are a little more susceptible to extreme temperatures, and will lose all magnetism above 320° C or or below -196° C (77 Kelvin). Keep them away from extreme heat, salt water and acids as well, and try to avoid even fresh water submersion.
Determining the specific impact of the coronavirus on the world’s supply chains continues to be a developing and fluid target. We are anticipating and planning for some delays in shipments from China and are working to better understand specific impacts.
Although the government-extended Lunar Holiday break officially ended on February 9th, many factories still have not opened or are at less than full capacity. New requirements that individual factories need approval from local authorities to re-open and that workers returning from outside provinces are subject to 14-day quarantines are contributing factors. As a result, we are not expecting many factories to be at full capacity until March.
As Adams supply partners begin the process of re-opening, we will be working closely with them to prioritize orders. We will work to communicate updated delivery information and will expedite orders accordingly to minimize adverse impacts. As always, Adams stocks an array of standard products that are available for immediate shipment.
If you have questions about open orders or lead times for products you purchase, please contact us.
Adams Magnetic Products has come a long way since opening the doors of its Chicago facility in 1950, but some things haven’t changed. The company’s commitment to integrity, respect, excellence, and responsibility has kept customers coming back again and again for the last 70 years, resulting in some pretty incredible partnerships and some seriously impressive statistics. From the Hubble telescope and the space shuttle to Harley Davidson motorcycles and more, Adams magnets can be found at the bottom of the ocean, on the open road, in outer space, and everywhere in between. In fact, 90% of this year’s Fortune 500 companies have ordered Adams magnets!
To celebrate this septuagenarian milestone, we’ve compiled Adams by the Numbers 2020 featuring seven fun anniversary facts. Check out our list to find out why we’re counting on (at least!) another 70 years of success:
4– Number of times the magnet strips we’ve sold would stretch around the equator.
100+ – Number of lifesaving safety and medical products incorporating Adams magnets into their designs, including centrifugal heart pumps and magnetic CSF shunts.
700+ – Years of collective magnet experience of our current staff, driven in no small part by our President Scott Lewis, who’s been with the company for 25 years.
1000+ – Number of NDA-protected, top-secret projects utilizing Adams magnets. Shhh!
100,000+ – Customers served including household names like NASA, General Motors, and Walgreens
1,000,000+ – Number of magnets Adams has in stock at any given time.
1,000,000,000+ – Number of magnets sold by Adams, including the original round base magnet – developed by Adams over 60 years ago, a long-time best-seller, with over 1,000,000 units sold last year alone.
Founded in 1950 by Leo Weinstein (who named it Adams to be first in the phone book!), Adams Magnetic Products is a custom manufacturer, fabricator, and distributor of all types of permanent magnets, magnet assemblies, and devices. Our magnets are used in guitar pickups, hall effect sensors, package closures, motor applications, point of purchase displays, signage, and countless other products and applications. Committed to innovation, Adams is the original inventor of the magnet round base assembly process, harnessing the power of a ceramic magnet to make it 32x stronger and allowing for attached mechanisms for additional functionality.
On this, our 70th anniversary, Adams Magnetic Products remains committed to partnering with our customers to harness and direct the power of magnetism in a way that supports innovation, the growth of industry, and sustainable energy initiatives.
What Is a Gauss Meter Used For, How Does a Gaussmeter Work, & How to Use a Gaussmeter
A Gaussmeter uses a probe to measure the magnetic field around a magnet at a specific location. The user positions the tip of the probe on the magnet or a pre-determined location near to the magnet.
The sensing area of a Gaussmeter probe is at the tip of the probe. The closer the tip is to the magnet, the stronger the reading. It is important to agree with your supplier and/or customer on the location of the measurement.
There are two kinds of Gaussmeter probes: Transverse & Axial
Tips to optimize measurements from a handheld gaussmeter
1. Hold the probe the correct way
2. Use the right size probe for the magnet
If you are taking a reading directly on the magnet surface, it is important for the sensing area in the probe to be smaller than the magnet. If the probe is measuring a spot nearby, but not on the magnet, the size of the probe isn’t as important.
3. Use a fixture to get repeatable measurements
The magnetic field varies around a magnet and a gaussmeter probe is sensitive to this variation. It can be difficult to repeat a reading since slight variations in position can inflate/deflate the readings. A fixture that guides the probe to the same spot from the magnet will minimize the amplitude of the variations.
4. Transverse probes – Hot & Cold side
Because of the way they are constructed, transverse probes are more sensitive on one face, called the ‘hot side’. If the probe is touching the magnet face, the ‘hot side’ will give slightly higher readings.
Questions? Contact us here, or call us at 800.747.7543 – We’re always happy to help!
Neodymi-what?! If you’re browsing our website, you undoubtedly have an interest in magnets, but you might not have heard of neodymium rare earth magnets. A neodymium magnet is the strongest known type of permanent magnet, and it’s one we supply for a variety of industrial and commercial uses here at Adams Magnetic Products. Let’s dive in a little deeper and learn more about these exceedingly strong magnets and how they can be used.
What Are Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets?
These are not your average refrigerator magnets! Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnets available and, even if you’ve never heard of them before, you probably use them every day. They’re sometimes called NdFeB, or Neo magnets, and despite being so strong, they’re also lightweight, which is why they’re popular for a wide variety of applications. It’s hard to believe, but without this type of rare earth magnet, many of the technological advances that have taken place over the past few decades would not have been possible!
How Strong Are Neodymium Magnets?
Very strong. They will amaze you! A 2-gram (0.07 ounce) neodymium magnet that measures 8 millimeters (0.315 inches) in diameter and 5 millimeters (0.197 inches) long generates a force of over 1700 grams (3.75 pounds). They’re so strong that they have replaced other types of magnets in many applications. For example they are over ten times stronger than ceramic magnets, so you might replace a ceramic magnet with a much smaller neodymium magnet and generate the same (or more!) holding force. Beware — they’re also so strong that even small neodymium magnets can cause bodily harm. We’ve even heard of larger neos breaking bones. Handle with care! You can find more details about the strength in gauss or pounds of holding force of specific magnets using our magnet calculator tools.
What Are Neodymium Magnets Made Of?
Neodymium magnets are made primarily from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron. The exact composition can vary depending on the strength needed and what that magnet is being used for. There are two main manufacturing types for neodymium magnets: sintered and bonded.
Sintered neodymium magnets are made by heating the alloy components in a furnace, then this mixture is cast into molds and cooled to form ingots which are ground into a fine powder and pressed into molds. The molds of powder are sintered to become dense blocks. (Sintering is the process of compacting and forming a solid mass of material by heat or pressure without melting it to the point of liquefaction.) The material is cut into its final shape, coated or plated, and then magnetized.
Bonded neodymium magnets combine neodymium alloy powder with a polymer binder. The components are pressed or extruded to make more complex shapes and magnetization powders than are typically available in sintered magnets.
What Are Neodymium Magnets Used For?
Since their invention in the early 1980s, a wide range of industries have found uses for these super strong magnets. If you’re reading this on your computer, you’re using a neodymium magnet right now! Some applications include:
Hard disk drives – A hard disk has tracks and sectors that contain magnetic cells; these cells are magnetized when data is written to the drive.
Microphones, headphones and loudspeakers – Current-carrying coils are used with permanent magnets to convert electricity into mechanical energy that changes the pressure of the surrounding air to create sound.
Dentures – To keep dentures securely in place, tiny neodymium magnets are used. Actually, neodymium magnets are used in several medical devices. Read more about neodymium magnets in medical applications here.
Door catches – Commercial and residential buildings often use doors with neodymium magnetic latches.
Magnetic jewelry – Magnetic therapy jewelry is often made with neodymium magnets; these magnets are also used in bracelet and necklace clasps.
Anti-lock brake sensors – If you have anti-lock brakes in your car, they utilize neodymium magnets wrapped inside copper coils in their sensors.
Read more about where neodymium magnets are used in our blog.
Where To Buy Neodymium Magnets
Do you need neodymium magnets for your business? Our industrial-strength magnets are used in a variety of industries. Read more about neodymium magnets here, view our overstock magnets for sale on this site, or contact us and we’ll be in touch–we look forward to working with you.
Rare earth magnets are back in the headlines again. (Last updated 8/15/19)
As many of our customers have already noticed, there is more uncertainty in the market right now, a result of inflamed trade and tariff rhetoric from the U.S. and China. The media has already declared the situation to be a trade war, which has increased the volatility of prices.
We’ve received several calls and emails expressing concern over the situation, so we’ve created this blog to hopefully provide some answers. However, like gold, corn, and helium, not much is certain and we don’t want to cause unnecessary panic. We’ll try to stick to the facts and clarify when we’re sharing opinions.
1. What are “rare earths” anyway?
There are more than 15 elements classified as ‘rare earth,’ but the most significant of those to the manufacturing of rare earth magnets are Neodymium (Nd), Samarium (Sm), Dysprosium (Dy) Praseodymium (Pr) and Terbium (Tb). These elements are key to the production of rare earth magnets used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products.
2. Have supplies of rare earth magnets been impacted by all this tariff talk?
Magnet supplies are not currently being impacted by the tariff discussions. But that doesn’t mean there have not been issues with the supply chain. In May China banned imports of rare earth ores and concentrates from Myanmar and closed the port that had been the main crossing point for these exports. This has been attributed to concern over environmental damage caused by unregulated Myanmar mining practices, and China’s previously announced edict to reduce illegal rare earth production. These actions were already expected more than six months ago, so they are not a result of recent events.
3. But the current trade war could still cause problems, right?
It’s impossible to know whether any threats made amidst ongoing negotiations will be fulfilled. For instance, just recently President Trump announced a 5% tariff on products from Mexico, but it was rescinded before it even went into effect.
Beijing has readied a plan to restrict exports of rare earths to the U.S. if needed, as both sides in the trade war dig in for a protracted dispute. However, industrial magnets are currently still exempt from the tariff lists that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has already implemented, and from the additional tariffs that President Trump will be reviewing after the G20 Summit this month. Industrial magnets made in China are imported as a finished good, not as a rare earth mineral.
4. What happens if China makes good on its threat?
While the majority of rare earth magnets originate in China, they are manufactured in many other countries throughout the world, and production increases every year. Prices may go up for a while, but our suppliers believe that prices will not increase to the levels seen in 2011 – the last time China curtailed rare earth mining.
A protracted reduction in supply from China will only further accelerate production now underway in Australia, Canada, Brazil and other nations. Here in the U.S; California’s Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine once supplied most of the world’s rare-earth elements. Recently, it was announced that the mine will begin its own processing operation by next year.
5. What is the Trump administration doing to get ahead of this situation?
On July 22nd, Trump issued five memos sent to the secretary of defense, making an official determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 that domestic production, separation and manufacturing of rare earths is “essential to the national defense” of the U.S. Read more on that here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/president-trump-formally-determines-rare-…
6. What are you hearing from your suppliers?
We consistently hear that market uncertainty will inevitably continue to affect prices, however, the consensus among our suppliers is that there is no forecasted shortage of rare earth magnets for the markets Adams serves. Control may tighten on rare earth mines or rare earth oxides, but an embargo on finished products such as magnets or magnet assemblies is less likely.
You can be assured that Adams Magnetic Products Company is monitoring the situation and will continue to do so in an effort to protect our customers’ interests. We appreciate our partnership with you and will keep you informed of any further developments that could affect your product designs or supply chain. If you have any questions, please let us know.
More Negative than Positive: Read on for Media Spin
Adams is a custom manufacturer, fabricator, and distributor of all types of permanent magnets and magnetic assemblies supporting automation. We have been engineering and manufacturing magnetic products since 1950. Let us put our experience and knowledge to work for you by employing our highly-skilled technical experts to help solve your magnetic needs, whether you need a magnet to use with a Hall effect sensor in a speed or position sensing application or a customized torque coupling assembly. We have experience with hundreds of magnet applications, so challenge us with yours.
Local Fabrication and Testing Capabilities
Adams has warehousing, fabrication, and magnet test labs in our ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Elmhurst, IL, and Carlsbad, CA, and we can offer short lead and transit times as well as industry leading OTD performance from coast to coast.
In addition to thousands of stock standard shapes and sizes, we offer custom fabrication services to deliver the magnet you need based on your specifications. We fabricate assemblies of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, large to small, and everything in between.
Our technical experts are here to help solve your magnetic requirements including material selection and optimization to determine the most cost-effective material for your application.
Our locations in Chicago and San Diego allow our North American customers to receive product faster with lower freight costs. We can work seamlessly with your lean replenishment programs, employing JIT, Kanban, Dock-to-Stock, etc., to ensure your magnets are available when you need them.
Examples of automation related projects we work on:
Magnets used in servo motors
Magnets used in linear actuators
Magnets used in Sensors galore! Hall effect switches, Reed switches, variable reluctance switches, proximity sensors
Magnetic encoders
Magnetic couplers: Synchronous, Hysteresis, Eddy-Current
True to their nature, magnets are attracting attention in all kinds of industries. Suitable for an enormous range of surfaces, magnets provide the strength and durability of mechanical closures and fasteners, with the mobility of temporary hangers.
In the printing industry, magnets enable signage and displays to be assembled and updated quickly and neatly with minimal tools (no toxic glues or power tools) and no training (goodbye, professional installers), reducing installation time and increasing profitability. GreenMAG printable magnet sheet is coated instead of laminated. This means it won’t delaminate or curl, eliminating quality issues, and has no adhesive to gum up cutting blades, further streamlining the printing process (and your bottom line!)
Are magnets sustainable?
Additionally, our magnet products are sustainable. Our flexible magnet sheet is made from 75% recyclable materials, which are 100% pre-consumer product. Some versions of printable (coated, not laminated) magnet sheet are actually 100% recyclable and can be added back into the manufacturing process to make more magnet sheet. Flexible magnets we supply to the print industry contain no Phthalates or conflict minerals and can comply with California Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986). And magnet fasteners should never lose their force, so they don’t wear out and are usable over and over again, saving space in our landfills.
When we machine hard magnets at our facility, we recycle them by type, sending them right back into production.
Benefits of Magnets
Whether clearly visible or completely hidden from view, magnets enhance signage, displays, and fixtures, offering nearly limitless potential for customization at almost any stage in the design process. They are available in virtually any shape, size, or color. They’re recyclable, and save you money. So, what are you waiting for?
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