Shaped Field Magnets

. . . Intelligent Flux Distribution

1 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

What Are Shaped Field Magnets?
Traditional Magnet Shaped Field Magnet (SFM)
Uniform anisotropy within Patent-pending process imparts
and outside the magnet. a divergence into the structure
of the magnet.

. . . the field shape is optimized

for the application
2 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies
What Is the Advantage of a Shaped Field Magnet?

Shaping the field redirects

the magnet‘s force to where
it is needed.
Inherent advantages:
Traditional Magnets
 Higher fields than previously
possible
 Higher-Temp materials (but with
lower remanence)
 Increased design freedom
around magnets
Shaped Field Magnets  Reduced overall system weight

3 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

 A Classic Case – Torque Transfer Coupling
 Traditional coupling: a pair of alternating-pole
rings transfer torque without contact
 Steel backing provides mechanical support and a magnetic yoke
for the magnets
Field fringing
 The system has certain inherent inefficiencies:
– Back iron bulk for magnetic stability
– Field fringing between neighbors on
the same ring
Back
iron bulk

4 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Possible Solution – Halbach Configuration
 By using magnets with rotating orientation, many aspects
are improved by concentrating the field in the working zone
 But – this introduces several new disadvantages:
– Cost
– Complexity
– More magnets
– Increased weight
...a complex solution for most
torque transfer applications

5 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Better Solution – Shaped Field Magnets
 With SFMs, the Halbach pattern is imparted into the magnet material itself
 Direct substitution of SFMs: coupling with 20% more torque than original
design
 Design from the ground up with SFMs:
– Gain torque in a fixed volume
– Reduce coupling size and keep constant torque
– Reduce cost by using a smaller system
– Reduce overall mass, extending bearing life

6 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Proven Results for Torque Transfer
 Proof-of-concept SFM
prototypes yielded an average
of 19% increased torque.
 Arnold is currently working
with a customer to deploy
SFMs across their entire suite
of products.

. . . increased efficiency for

next-generation performance

7 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Classic Case – The Angle Position Sensor
 Rotating magnet over a
Hall sensor (e.g. Automotive
applications)
 In-plane sensor detects the
magnetic field component in
one direction and maps this
against a cosine function to Test Point

calculate angular position

 Expensive solution
Note: Coloration reflects field in
tangential direction

8 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Twist on the Sensor
 Less costly approach: Array
of through-plane sensors,
offset from the center of
the chip
 Although this measures a
much smaller component of
the field, the cost advantage
Test Points

on the sensor is worth

technical compromise
Note: Coloration reflects field in
normal direction

9 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Better Sensor Solution Using SFMs

 SFMs improve the

in-plane case
– For in-plane sensors, field
strength is increased 20%

 Increased strength
Traditional – More reliable signals
Magnet
Shaped Field
– Greater standoff distance
Magnet – same – More freedom of design
standoff

Shaped Field
Magnet – same field,
increased standoff

10 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Better Sensor Solution Using SFMs

 SFMs improve
the in-plane case
– For in-plane
sensors, field
strength is
increased 20%

 Increased strength
– More reliable
signals
Traditional Magnet Shaped Field Magnet Shaped Field Magnet
– Greater standoff
Same standoff Same field, increased distance
standoff
– More freedom
of design

11 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

A Better Solution – Shaped Field Magnets

 SFM also improves the

through-plane case:
– For through-plane
sensors, field strength
can increase 50%

Shaped Field
Magnet – same
Shaped Field field, increased
Magnet – same standoff
standoff
Traditional
Magnet

12 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

 A Better Solution – Shaped Field Magnets

 SFM also improves the

through-plane case:
– For through-plane sensors, field
strength can increase 50%

Traditional Magnet Shaped Field Magnet Shaped Field Magnet

Same standoff Same field, increased
standoff

13 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

Sensor Improvements Using SFMs

Better-than-expected improvements measured

in field, with angle errors less than 1°

Arnold in ongoing approval process

for new automotive application

Planned serial production in 2014 for

1.2 million pieces/yr

14 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

How to Deploy Shaped-Field Magnets

1
Know your application.
Because each magnet is individually pressed, magnets
must be designed for each application.

2 Take advantage of our know-how.

We recommend that Arnold engineering work in
partnership with you in prototype stages to take full
advantage of shaped-field benefits.

3 Consider volume pricing advantages.

Tooling requirements suggest a minimum volume of
50,000 pcs/yr (for sensor magnets) or 100 kg/yr (for
other applications).

15 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies

 Questions
How can our Shaped Field Magnet
technology help you?
For more information visit: www.arnoldmagnetics.com/SFM
Or contact: SFM@arnoldmagnetics.com or 1-585-764-8974

16 | BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL © Arnold Magnetic Technologies