Encasing a neodymium magnet in plastic?

[noobtoob]

Has anyone done this? I'd like to have two 4x4 plastic pieces that are 1/2" thick be able to attract and pull apart. I read that doing this will reduce the pull force by approximately 45%. I'm also wondering how to do this as I've never worked with plastics. Maybe use a router to create a cavity and seal it somehow? Or perhaps make a mold and pour plastic on the magnet? Perhaps that is a question for another forum but I appreciate any thoughts.

 

[EdStainless]

Or you could coat them, usually dome with a powder that this this baked to fuse it. For a simple one off you could try dipping them.
The thinner the better for magnetic strength. So at least the faces that attract each other need to be very thin.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube

 

[MagBen]

Curious why you wanted to do that. Can't you choose weaker magnets for less force?

By the way, if you have 4x4'' cylindrical magnets with a residual flux of 12,500Gs, a distance of 1/2'' is about to decrease pull force to 55%. But if the size is only 1x1, a distacne of 1/2'' would decrease pull force to only 7 to 8%!

 

[IRstuff]

?? Why not just buy them like that? I recall a toy that was magnets encased in a PP-like material.

Alternately, get weaker magnets and coat with:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...alogId=10053&R=100131010&catEntryId=100131010

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529

 

[noobtoob]

[COLOR=][/color]Thanks for the replies. Actually I'm not trying to weaken the magnet, in fact I'd like it to remain strong. I just need it to be along the edges of the plastic so it can attract to another plastic piece. I'd like the plastic pieces to stay nice and flush with each other which is why I can't just fasten a magnet on the outside. Picture several square plastic pieces attracted together to create one large square. I'd like to manipulate the pieces so I could perhaps have just one square laying flat and the others standing up to create an open cube shape.

 

[IRstuff]

Sounds a lot like:

http://www.amazon.com/Magformers-Magnetic-Building-Colors-Vary/dp/B000HDC3QE

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Learning-Resources-Magnetic-Pattern-Block-Activity-Set/19279860

http://www.magnatiles.com/

http://www.target.com/p/edushape-magic-shapes-54-pc-with-board/-/A-14277409#prodSlot=medium_1_1

http://www.target.com/QuickInfoView...ts & blocks:magnetic sets&lnk=plp_qi_grid_1_7

Do you really need to make your own?

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529

 

[noobtoob]

Wow thanks for posting those links! That is kind of what I had in mind, although for another application. I really just want to make plain white plastic pieces that can be flush next to each other. Most of those look like a plastic frame and I'd need mine to be solid.

 

[IRstuff]

These are solid pieces, other than the logo stamping:

http://www.magnatiles.com/products/Magnatiles_Clear_Colors_32_Piece_Set/

http://www.magnatiles.com/products/Magnatiles_Solid_Colors_32_Piece_Set/

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529