Custom magnets are necessary if you need special-shaped magnets for your design. There are several important considerations to keep in mind if you’re looking at getting the best results out of the project. Among a host of applications for these custom magnets, you can attach them to refrigerators, cars, or other metal objects as decoration, or in your homes and offices.
With the right material or guide, you can even make one for yourself. So, here are 7 essential points to consider when you customize magnets for any application.
There are several options to pick from. But you have to decide what kind of materials you need to customize your magnets, depending on the value you want out of the product or how you want to use it. Here are some examples:
Magnetic materials come in a variety of shapes, and these shapes determine how the magnets are used. Each magnet’s shape determines the strength of its pull, as well as how the magnetic field lines are arranged outside of the magnet. Here are some of the common choices for magnets shapes:
Related Reading: How Many Shapes of Magnets Are There?
Different magnet materials have different grades. Ideally, the grade of a magnet is a good measure of its strength. Generally, higher grade numbers indicate that the magnet is stronger. This means that if you need a strong magnet for your project, you should go for the ones with higher numbers/grades.
When it comes to the magnetized direction of a magnet, there are two main types. You can either use radially or axially (diametrically) magnetized magnets. Radial magnetization is created in specifically manufactured ring magnets. When the magnetization direction of a magnet is situated along the magnet’s axis, it is said to be axially magnetized.
Magnetization direction is very important in manufacturing magnets because a magnet will typically attract the most when one of its poles is touching the magnetic surface you want it to stick to. So an axially magnetized magnet, for instance, is most effective when one of the flat faces is touching the surface.
Tolerance is actually a parameter used in manufacturing mechanical components and is typically measured in accordance with a system of standardized tolerances, known as International Tolerance grades. Generally, the tolerance of a magnet is measured with +/-0.05 mm, as in a neodymium magnet. However, accurate tolerance measures mainly depend on the shape, grade, and material of the magnet.
How and where you intend to use the custom magnets often determines the coating you use for the magnets. Many different coatings can be used, such as Ni-Cu-Ni coating, Zn coating, Epoxy coating, gold coating, etc. For neodymium magnets, and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and rubber are good choices for coating materials.
Finally, the quantity of materials you need to make custom magnets is another important factor to consider. To get a quote for making your custom magnets, you need to provide the required quantity. Generally, the higher the quantity of the magnet materials required, the lower the unit price of custom magnets.