U.S.-manufactured product line sets the standard for superior performance, versatility, and quality

Rochester, NY: Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation (Arnold), a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) and leading global manufacturer of high-performance magnets and precision thin metals, is proud to highlight the PLASTIFORM^® High Energy Flexible Magnets. This innovative product line is Made in America and delivers unprecedented design versatility and exceptional quality, resulting in significant system savings compared to conventional magnets.

As global supply chains shift, Arnold is uniquely positioned to support customers seeking to reshore their production. By offering domestically produced PLASTIFORM® flexible magnets, Arnold helps manufacturers strengthen their U.S. operations, improve supply chain reliability, and meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

PLASTIFORM® High Energy Flexible Magnets are engineered specifically for applications that require increased magnetic field strength while maintaining the flexibility of a bonded magnet, even in environments with high temperatures, wide temperature ranges, or exposure to corrosive materials. These advanced magnetic and physical characteristics set PLASTIFORM^® magnets apart from standard flexible magnets, making them ideal for critical applications where reliability and durability are essential. They are the preferred choice for applications in position sensing, chip collection, and holding, especially where reliability in harsh environments is non-negotiable.

These magnets are widely used in automated guided vehicles and robotics, sprinkler systems, cylinder position sensors, ABS brake sensors, smoke curtains, automated storage and retrieval systems, and flexographic printing presses. Their superior thermal characteristics, dimensional stability, and solvent resistance ensure consistent performance in the most demanding environments.

With energy products ranging from 1.0 to 1.6 MGOe, PLASTIFORM^® magnets are available in a wide selection of thicknesses, roll sizes, and finishes, allowing them to be precisely tailored for a broad range of applications. Arnold offers both bonded ferrite and bonded rare earth materials to meet the demanding requirements of motor stators and rotors, actuators, instrumentation, armatures, and holding magnets used across automotive, medical, defense, and commercial sectors. The PLASTIFORM^® product line’s exceptional design versatility and superior quality deliver substantial system savings compared to conventional magnets. Their advanced chemical resistance, ability to perform at high operating temperatures, and strong holding forces provide manufacturers with a distinct advantage when seeking reliable and long-lasting magnetic solutions.

As more U.S. manufacturers look to reshore their production for greater supply chain security and reduced lead times, Arnold’s domestically produced PLASTIFORM^® flexible magnets offer a strategic advantage. By sourcing from Arnold’s U.S. facilities, customers can reduce reliance on overseas suppliers, ensure compliance with American quality standards, and support domestic manufacturing jobs.

For more information about PLASTIFORM^® High Energy Flexible Magnets and Arnold’s reshoring initiatives, please visit https://www.flexmag.com

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of over 130 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Thailand, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.  

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A Game-Changing Rotor Casting Process for High-Performance Applications

Rochester, NY – Arnold Magnetic Technologies, through its Ramco Electric Motors division, proudly highlights RAMCAST, a proprietary rotor casting process engineered to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace and other high-performance applications. This innovative process establishes an industry standard for rotor manufacturing, delivering ultra-high quality castings with unparalleled precision and performance.

Developed entirely in-house by Arnold’s skilled team, RAMCAST is backed by custom-designed machinery tailored exclusively for this process. Arnold is the only company globally capable of achieving this advanced level of rotor casting. The RAMCAST process produces both aluminum and copper rotors with exceptional quality. It accommodates cast aluminum rotors up to 9 inches in diameter and 35 pounds of alloy pour weight, as well as cast copper rotors up to 9 inches in diameter and 18 pounds of alloy pour weight.

RAMCAST achieves exceptionally low porosity levels of near zero, producing dense castings that ensure structurally sound end rings and enable motors to function at higher speeds and temperatures. The process also achieves tighter dimensional tolerances compared to conventional casting methods, ensuring uniform quality across all rotor designs. These advancements enhance efficiency while minimizing stray load losses, making RAMCAST rotors ideal for demanding aerospace applications.

In addition, RAMCAST resolves issues related to lamination stack inconsistencies often encountered with traditional casting methods. By accommodating individual stack lengths during casting, RAMCAST reduces deformation and minimizes shunting of lamination insulation. This ensures the full utilization of expensive lamination coatings, further enhancing motor performance.

Arnold’s RAMCAST technology enables motor designers to surpass the constraints of conventional rotor casting. By facilitating the production of rotors capable of higher RPMs and temperatures, RAMCAST opens new possibilities for advanced motor designs while maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability. Each rotor undergoes rigorous monitoring using high-speed data acquisition software, with all data electronically stored for long-term record retention.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of over 130 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Thailand, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide.

Ramco Electric Motors, a division of Arnold Magnetic Technologies, specializes in manufacturing electric motors and components for industrial and aerospace applications. The company holds ITAR registration and maintains ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certifications.

For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.  

For more information on RAMCAST, visit: https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com/electric-motors/ and https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ramcast-Datasheet-4-06-23.pdf.

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Collaboration enhances radiation shielding with lead-free, non-toxic solutions

Rochester, NY: Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation (“Arnold”), a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) and leading global manufacturer of high-performance magnets and precision components, highlights its partnership with Artemis Shielding, a pioneer in developing innovative, lead-free radiation shielding solutions. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in providing safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly radiation protection across multiple industries.

Arnold supplies its advanced Flexible Composites and Extrusions to Artemis Shielding, which incorporates them into cutting-edge, lead-free, and non-toxic radiation shielding products. This partnership leverages Arnold’s expertise in material science and Artemis’ innovative technology to create superior radiation shielding solutions. Arnold provides Enhanced Functional Alloy (EFA) Shielding, resulting in products that are not only more effective but also safer for both users and the environment. The collaboration combines Arnold’s high-quality flexible magnetic materials with Artemis’ innovative approach to produce state-of-the-art radiation protection solutions that address modern safety and environmental concerns.

Artemis Shielding products offer a superior alternative to traditional lead-based radiation protection. These innovative solutions are lead-free, non-toxic, and more durable than their conventional counterparts, making them an obvious choice for radiation shielding needs. While radiation poses significant risks, the lead typically used for protection introduces its own set of dangers. Recognizing this dual threat, Artemis Shielding has made it their mission to safeguard both people and the environment from the hazards associated with lead and radiation exposure.

Installation of Artemis Shielding Materials is fast, clean, and safe compared to lead-based products, which offer several obstacles. The material is lightweight, easy-to-handle, and requires no special personal protective equipment for installers. Arnold’s Flexible Composites and Extrusions enable Artemis to create shielding solutions that are significantly easier to install compared to conventional lead-based products.

Artemis Shielding protects people and the world through their proven, lead-free and non-toxic radiation shielding products and solutions. From the International Space Station (ISS) to airports, NDT facilities, and medical centers, Artemis Shielding solutions have made an impact across the globe. They are committed to delivering safe, sustainable products for customers, employees, and the environment. Artemis is also included in applications in SCIF rooms, ensuring secure environments with advanced radiation shielding solutions.

Arnold’s partnership with Artemis Shielding brings innovative, safe, and effective radiation shielding solutions to market. This collaboration aligns perfectly with Arnold’s commitment to developing advanced materials that contribute to a safer and more sustainable future across industries. These products are not magnetic and are customized solutions for lead replacement needs across a variety of industries, including Nuclear, Medical, Testing Facilities, Security, and Aerospace.

All products developed through this partnership are 100% recyclable, Prop 65 compliant, and ROHS compliant, emphasizing both companies’ commitment to sustainability. This collaboration between Arnold and Artemis represents a significant advancement in radiation shielding technology, offering customers across multiple industries access to safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible protection solutions.

For more information on Artemis Shielding’s innovative solutions and their impact across various industries, please visit here.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of over 130 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Thailand, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.  

About Artemis Shielding

Artemis Shielding is pioneering lead-free, non-toxic radiation shielding solutions for various industries. The company develops customized, precision-fit products that protect people and the environment from harmful radiation exposure while adhering to strict safety standards. Based in Fort Payne, Alabama, Artemis Shielding recognizes the critical importance of radiation protection in everyday life. From medical facilities to security checkpoints and aerospace applications, their innovative shielding materials play a key role in enhancing safety and sustainability across multiple sectors. With the increasing demand for safer, more efficient radiation shielding solutions, Artemis Shielding’s patented Nanotek® technology is poised to revolutionize the industry. As radiation-based technologies continue to advance, providing effective, environmentally friendly shielding solutions will be crucial to support the safety and well-being of people across North America and the world.

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Rochester, NY: Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation (“Arnold”), a leading global manufacturer of ITAR and DFARS compliant high-performance magnets, announces its plan to establish a fully compliant supply chain for Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) and Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) magnets by mid-2026. This move is in anticipation of the DFARS 252.225-7052 updated standards effective January 1, 2027, which expands regulations on the sourcing of rare earth materials.

As a key supplier to the aerospace and defense industries, Arnold Magnetic Technologies is committed to ensuring that its entire range of NdFeB and SmCo magnets meet the upcoming DFARS requirements. These regulations prohibit the use of materials mined, refined, separated, melted, or produced in covered countries, including North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and Iran.

Arnold’s initiative underscores its dedication to providing uninterrupted and compliant supplies to its customers. The company is working closely with its partners and suppliers to ensure a seamless transition to compliance, leveraging its expertise in rare earth supply chain management and custom magnet design.

“We are committed to supporting our customers in the aerospace and defense sectors by providing a secure and compliant supply chain for critical neo and samarium cobalt magnets,” said Aaron Williams, VP, Sales & Marketing at Arnold Magnetic Technologies. “Our goal is to maintain the highest standards of quality and compliance, ensuring that our products meet the evolving regulatory landscape.”

For more information on Arnold’s DFARS compliant magnets and supply chain solutions, please visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com/permanent-magnets/.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of over 130 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Thailand, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.

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Lupfig, Switzerland: Thomas Toth, Managing Director at Arnold Magnetic Technologies, conducted an interview with German economics magazine Wirtschaftsforum. Follow the links below to read the full interview in both German and English.

Arnold Magnetic Technologies AG, a Swiss company steeped in tradition, can look back on over 129 years of success. With a clear focus on the development and production of magnets for high-tech industries such as aerospace, defense and medical technology, the company is a leading player today. In this interview, Managing Director Thomas Toth explains the most important milestones, the significance of the company’s global presence and the strategic priorities for the future.

Arnold Magnetic Technologies AG, a Swiss company steeped in tradition, can look back on over 129 years of success. With a clear focus on the development and production of magnets for high-tech industries such as aerospace, defense andDie Arnold Magnetic Techhnologies AG, ein traditionsreiches Schweizer Unternehmen, blickt auf eine über 129-jährige Erfolgsgeschichte zurück. Mit einem klaren Fokus auf die Entwicklung und Produktion von Magneten für Hightech-Branchen wie Luftfahrt, Rüstung und Medizintechnik ist das Unternehmen heute ein führender Akteur. Der Geschäftsführer Thomas Toth erläutert im Gespräch die wichtigsten Meilensteine, die Bedeutung der globalen Präsenz sowie die strategischen Prioritäten für die Zukunft.

Article originally published in Wirtschaftsforum.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of more than 125 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high performance permanent magnets, precision foil products and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors and other systems and components.

The post High-tech Magnet Technology for Key Industries appeared first on Arnold Magnetic Technologies.

Originally published in Manufacturing Tomorrow.

Rochester, NY: Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation (“Arnold”), a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI) and leading global manufacturer of high-performance magnets and Precision Thin Metals, highlights its Thin Molypermalloy product offerings. With its high magnetic permeability, Molypermalloy is especially suited for RFI and EMI shielding in the Industrial market.

To construct its Molypermalloys, Arnold utilizes nickel-iron alloys and other soft magnetic materials because of their high permeability and low core losses. These soft metal characteristics make them ideal for high performance and efficient energy storage, transfer, and shielding. As with its other products, Arnold offers unique material customization to maximize permeability at customers’ target application frequency.

Arnold also offers adapted testing for Molypermalloys and other high-frequency materials to better predict material performance across applications. Arnold’s standard testing system can measure iron losses up to 20kHz in electrical steels. For applications that operate at higher frequencies, its new High Frequency Tester can provide permeability results, both real and anticipated, from 1MHz – 2.5GHz. These results will be used to inform processing conditions and tailor the material’s response to customers’ unique application needs.

The high permeability, efficiency, and adaptability of Arnold’s Molypermalloys make them an ideal fit for RFI and EMI shielding in Industrial applications. Arnold’s Thin Molypermalloy is available in a range of thicknesses, 0.01″ – 0.00031″ or 0.00030″ – 0.00008″, depending on the width.

For more information on Arnold’s Nickel Irons and Soft Magnetics, visit: https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com/materials/nickel-irons-soft-magnetics/

To read more about Thin Molypermalloy Applications for Electromagnetic Shielding, visit: https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Tech-Notes_Thin_Molypermalloy_Applications.pdf

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of more than 125 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components.

Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.

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Originally published in Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology.

Today’s boat engines, gallon for gallon, emit more pollutants than vehicles on the road. As a result, the US Environmental Protection Agency introduced requirements for catalytic converters on inboard and stern-drive boats beginning in 2011. Many manufactures of personal watercraft initially switched to outboard propulsion and are now looking to electric motors as the next step.

Converting a boat from gasoline to electric is not as straightforward as dropping in a battery and motor from a car, though. Since boat drag increases with speed, the energy to move a boat through water is far greater than that required for an equivalent electric vehicle.

Arnold offers Arnon silicon steel, laminated magnets and carbon-fiber windings for electric motors that require higher efficiencies. Arnold’s non-grain oriented electrical steel (NGOES) is optimized by thickness and finish. Arnon silicon steel is frequently used for laminations in high speed, high-efficiency motors and generators. Whereas common laminations use thicknesses between 0.356mm and 0.813mm, Arnon 5 and Arnon 7 are thinner – at 0.127mm and 0.178mm respectively.

Arnon electrical steel has been shown to be particularly advantageous for higher-frequency motors and generators above 400Hz. In these designs, the thinner material offsets the less efficient effects of increased eddy currents and subsequent heat build-up. Using thin laminations of Arnon produces a more efficient unit and frees up design constraints by making it possible to fully enclose the motor without external cooling, for example.

Arnold’s Wraptite composite sleeves offer a superior design alternative to metallic solutions, particularly in applications that require high rotational speed or the containment of high centrifugal forces – such as high-speed motors and generators. Wraptite has a low density and high strength-to-weight ratio, as well as greater containment stresses for sleeves of the same thickness, leading to increased rotor speeds. Reduction or elimination of eddy currents in the containment sleeves reduces hear generation and improves efficiency.

Wraptite composite materials include carbon fiber, Zylon fiber and glass fiber composites using a range of epoxy cyanate ester and BMI-based (bismaleimide) resin systems. The material can operate at temperatures up to 170° C.

When entering a partnership, the first step is to decide what the end goal is, and how best to accomplish it. Perhaps a world-class supplier is struggling with pricing, quality or delivery from its existing supply chain. In that case, Arnold can be an alternative source for either an individual motor component or the complete motor system, having complete control over the supply chain. For example, Arnold sources SmCo (samarium cobalt) magnets from its plant in Switzerland, where all pressing and sintering is done in-house, coupled with a partnership with a rare earth mine to ensure the supply of quality raw materials.

Developing a marine electric motor takes specialized expertise in electric motor design. Arnold can collaborate at whatever step of the process makes the most sense. It offers everything from specialist information on permanent magnet technology, to sources components from an extensive selection of Arnold-operated global resources, all the way up to a complete motor design. Arnold provides quick-turn design, rapid prototyping and testing, using one of its technology centers around the world.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of more than 125 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.   

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Excerpt of article originally published in Digital Output Magazine – Click to read full article.

Marietta, OH: Magnetic and magnetic-receptive materials are well suited for display and point of purchase applications like menus and promotional signs, anything where messaging may change on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The ease of change out is appealing especially to retail workers with little to no experience handling signage.

Magnets come in various thicknesses. Over the years, “thin” materials have become popular. For the purposes of this article, we define thin magnetic material as anything around 7- to 17-mil or 0.007 to 0.017 inches thick.

What’s the Buzz?

Thin magnetic material is developed and used by a number of different industries. For printing, one of the reasons “thin is in” is because it runs better on printer hardware compared to its thicker gauge counterparts.

According to Stephen McLevey, business development and Flexmag commercial manager, Arnold Magnetic Technologies, the print industry is driving demand. “The material needs to be thinner and lighter so that it can be processed on the printers used in today’s marketplace.”

Debunking Myths

A common misconception is that the thicker the magnet, the more powerful the attraction. Weary of using thinner magnetic material because of this? You shouldn’t be.

“The statement is true as long as the material is of the same grade. We are able to produce a stronger, thinner magnet by using higher energy materials,” says McLevey.

Thin Benefits

Advantages of thin magnetic materials center around weight. This makes it easier to load the media into printer. Another point to consider, lighter weight options reduce shipping costs.

Thinner magnets also conform better to curved and uneven surfaces compared to thicker options, suggests McLevey. This makes thinner gauge magnets useful for vehicle graphics.

Final Thoughts

Thinner gauge magnets are not your traditional materials. Lighter weight magnetic and magnetic receptive substrates with equal – if not more – energy are designed for today’s printers.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of more than 125 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.   

The post Less Weight, More Energy with Flexible Magnets appeared first on Arnold Magnetic Technologies.

Originally published in Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology.

Electric transportation poses pressing design and manufacturing challenges – one of which is its high-power requirements. The electrification of all transportation would require more power than a standard electrical grid could provide on top of current demands. Permanent magnet motors have increasingly become the motor of choice in various applications as they benefit from superior energy efficiency and power-to-weight ratio. The efficiency of these motors is especially advantageous in battery-powered systems. The automotive and marine industries have embraced these motors in powertrains due to their impressive power density, efficiency and compact size. Their brushless design offers improved reliability and longevity over traditional induction motor designs.

Material choices

When considering materials for high-performance PM applications, neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) and samarium cobalt (SmCo) are widely used due to their high magnetic strength. However, they differ in several key aspects that can influence their suitability for various applications.

NdFeB magnets exhibit higher magnetic flux than SmCo magnets, which means they can deliver more magnetic force. This makes such magnets suitable for applications that require higher torque output with lighter weights, such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. However, NdFeB magnets have a lower resistance to high temperatures and are more prone to corrosion, which may require additional thermal management or protective coating in certain applications.

On the other hand, SmCo magnets offer superior temperature stability and corrosion resistance. For example, Arnold Magnetic Technologies’ Recoma 35E SmCo magnet materials, the most power-dense samarium cobalt magnet available, are engineered for the most demanding environments including high speed (in excess of 100,000 rpm), high temperature (150-250° C) and highly corrosive environments.

Unlike neodymium (Nd) magnets, which need high levels of rare dysprosium (Dy) to function at moderate temperatures, SmCo magnets use materials that are more widely available and are stable at temperatures well above the Curie point of NdFeB. This makes SmCo pricing more stable and less prone to rare earth market changes.

When there are supply concerns, it’s crucial to source domestically when possible. Companies such as Arnold Magnetic Technologies offer a broad-based source of supply for samarium cobalt magnets’ materials, including samarium cobalt made in the USA. Plus, Arnold’s recent partnership with Cyclic Materials provides another supply source for these critical resources. Arnold and Cyclic Materials are creating the world’s first circular supply chain for rare earth materials through reclamation.

In applications where high power density is a must, efficiency must be maximized. Precision-rolled thin metals, L-type laminated magnets and more help customers achieve higher efficient and power gains in their motor and transformer designs. Arnold has played a pivotal role in the electrification of transportation since the invention of the electric train. Today the company works with its customers to pioneer electric propulsion systems for space, air, watercraft, motorsport vehicles and heavy equipment.

About Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Based in Rochester, NY with an operating history of more than 125 years, Arnold is a leading global manufacturer of engineered solutions for a wide range of specialty applications and end-markets, including aerospace and defense, general industrial, motorsport, oil and gas, medical, and energy. From its Technology Center and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and China, the company produces engineered magnetic assemblies in addition to high-performance permanent magnets, precision foil products, and highly loaded composites that are mission critical in motors, generators, sensors, and other systems and components. Based on its long-term relationships, the company has built a diverse and blue-chip customer base totaling more than 2,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Arnold, visit https://www.arnoldmagnetics.com.   

The post Magnetic Materials for Electric Transportation appeared first on Arnold Magnetic Technologies.

Electromagnetic components are used in electric motors and generators found throughout aircraft, in systems such as cabin air compressors (CACs), ram air turbines (RATs), integrated starter alternators/generators (ISAs/ISGs) and auxiliary power units (APUs). In order to minimize losses in these motoring and generating components, one must select the right topology and materials to optimize efficiency.

What is the current state of the industry?

Electric generators are already in use, converting mechanical energy produced by jet turbines into electrical energy useable by any aircraft system that needs power. Those generators rely upon the interaction between permanent magnets on a rotor system and stator components made from stacked lamination material and copper windings.

The longer-term vision eliminates the jet turbines altogether. That vision would either use battery power or a much larger APU (generator) situated in the rear of an aircraft could be used to power multiple electric motors on the airfoil, propelling it forward. Most electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads today are powered by motors utilizing permanent magnets. However, challenges remain before fully electric commercial aviation can truly take off, including but not limited to the efficiency and longevity of operating systems.

Arnold Magnetic Technologies is currently working to address these challenges through collaboration with the engineering staffs of airframers, Tier 1 manufacturers and Tier 2 suppliers, with the aim of maximizing system power density, efficiency and safety. Running through these goals is an underlying sense of purpose: to incorporate magnetic technologies in ways that move the industry toward reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

Why choose a permanent magnet machine?

When designing for a high-speed motor application, many motor designers choose to use a surface mounted permanent magnet (SMPM) topology because of the following advantages:

• Energy efficiency
• Highest torque/inertia ratio
• Simple construction, highest torque density
• Good torque control
• Very low rotor losses
• Common drive topology

Design and material considerations

Whether they are deployed in aircraft, satellites or mission-critical defense vehicles, aerospace components must possess the capacity to meet unique demands. Below are some of the most salient considerations for designing electric motors and choosing materials for energy efficiency.

When designing a power dense and often high speed permanent magnet motor application, there are multiple design challenges which include:

• High centrifugal force on permanent magnets
• High eddy currents and rotor losses are introduced if electrically conductive sleeve material retains the permanent magnets
• Cooling of sleeve and magnets
• Trade-off between price, size and quality of permanent magnet material
• Risk of demagnetization of permanent magnets

As electric motors become smaller and faster, designers must consider the potential effects such as electrical drive frequencies, magnetic eddy currents, laminated steel eddy currents, mechanical stresses on the faster rotating shaft (rotor dynamics) and electrical control of the motor through the inverter.

Electrical and magnetic phenomena that create excess heat within the motor during operation include:

• The “skin effect” in the copper windings, which increases at higher speeds as switching frequencies increase
• Eddy current losses occurring within the stator lamination stack
• Rotor joule losses, which are dependent on the material used for the retention band on the PM rotor

To reduce heat generated from these losses, one should select the proper materials to achieve the highest efficiency possible. However, if the system is still running at higher temperatures, it is best to design with materials that perform under high temperature.

Performance materials enabling energy efficiency

Arnold Magnetic Technologies’ performance materials help balance these design challenges, allowing motors to function in extreme conditions while at the same time helping to increase their overall efficiencies.

Recoma samarium cobalt

Driven by the smaller, faster, hotter requirements in emerging motor technology, Arnold Magnetic Technologies offers highly dense, sintered magnet materials that provide increased magnetic performance at elevated temperatures. Arnold now produces a material, Recoma^(R) 35E (35MGOe SmCo), which is considered to be the best performing samarium cobalt (SmCo) material on the market today.

Recoma 35E allows for the greatest power density at elevated temperatures when compared to existing commercial magnetic materials. The performance comparison shown below depicts Recoma SmCo versus neodymium iron boron magnetic material, which has a high level of dysprosium, an extremely scarce and expensive rare earth element.

Arnold thin-film lamination steel

One of the primary methods to reduce eddy currents induced in the lamination stack assembly is to use thinner cross-sectional material. The thinner material restricts the current to much smaller paths as opposed to solid stator cores. By taking a core and constructing the length from hundreds of thinner laminations that are electrically insulated, the normal magnetic flux paths are greatly restricted.

Another way to reduce eddy currents is by using a high resistivity steel. The motor designer might assume that increasing resistivity (R) would only increase the eddy current as it is defined as i2R losses. In reality, the amount of current (i) that will flow normal to the desired flux path is reduced, creating less eddy current. This is traditionally done by using a high silicon content steel (0.5 wt% to 3.5 wt%).

Arnold’s Precision Thin Metals (PTM) division manufactures precision rolled thin (1.524 mm to 0.013 mm) and ultra-thin (0.01245 mm to 0.00175 mm) gauge metal strip and foil products from a wide range of permanent and soft magnetic materials as well as non-magnetic alloys. Specific to motor design, they offer Arnon^TM non grain oriented silicon steel from 0.002 inch thickness to 0.007 inch thickness. These materials allow motor designers to push their high-speed motor designs to the limit by enabling the reduction of eddy currents. Other services provided by PTM include:

• Heat treating
• Surface cleaning
• Slitting
• Special coating

The post New Technologies and Materials for an Evolving Aerospace Industry appeared first on Arnold Magnetic Technologies.