[3D Printing] Magnetic Switch: A Simple Solution for Switching Permanent Magnets
Permanent magnets are generally considered to be non-switchable.
However, manufacturer Andrew Klein developed a clever way to circumvent this principle.
He used 3D printing technology to create a magnetic switch that can effectively turn permanent magnets on and off.
permanent magnets
A permanent magnet is a magnet that can maintain its magnetism for a long time; that is, a common magnet used in daily life.
Examples include natural magnets (magnetite) and artificial magnets (such as aluminum-nickel-cobalt alloys made by adding alloying elements such as aluminum, nickel, and cobalt to iron).
Besides permanent magnets, there are also electromagnets, which require an electric current to become magnetic. Permanent magnets, also called hard magnets, are not easily demagnetized or magnetized.
Switchable magnetic switch
This concept is based on a two-part 3D printing bracket. In one direction, the design places two arrays of magnets in opposite directions.
This results in the magnetic fields canceling each other out, even though the component is actually non-magnetic.
If you rotate them to another position, the magnetic poles will align themselves in the same way. This causes the magnetic field to amplify, so the device behaves like a single, strong magnet.
Magnetic field cancellation : When the magnetic switch is in the "off" state, the magnetic fields of the two magnet arrays cancel each other out, making the overall effect close to non-magnetic. In this way, the magnetic field is "off," and the device will not adhere to ferromagnetic surfaces.
Magnetic field amplification : When the device is rotated to the "on" position, the magnetic fields of the two magnets align, resulting in magnetic field amplification. In this way, the magnetic switch acts like a strong magnet, effectively attracting ferromagnetic surfaces.
Applications of magnetic switches
Andrew Klein's magnetic switch design is an exciting innovation! By utilizing 3D printing technology, he has successfully broken through the limitation that traditional permanent magnets cannot "switch".
The key to this design lies in the ingenious arrangement and rotation of the two support sections, which allows the magnetic field to be effectively controlled and switched.
This type of magnetic switch has a wide range of applications, especially in magnetic clamps and brackets that require frequent disassembly or adjustment.
For example, this magnetic switch can be used to simplify operation in industrial production lines, machinery maintenance, or even home DIY projects.
For interested makers, Andrew Klein's 3D printing documentation and detailed explanations of the development process are a great resource.
This can not only help them achieve similar magnetic switch designs, but also inspire more innovative ideas and explore the application and improvement of other magnetic devices.
Klein offers 3D print files online for $5 and explains his development process in a video.
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SanDiMa offers more than just 3D printing ; we provide three major OEM services: " 3D Printing Manufacturing ," " 3D Scanning Services ," and " Spatial 3D Scanning Services "!
Follow our fan page and stay up-to-date with the latest news:
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