Looking for reputable Neo vendors. Any recommendations?

[harvest3]

I am looking for recommendations for reputable custom Neo magnet vendors. We have heard horror stories from some of our motor vendors about low quality magnets from China that are ticking time bombs from improper plating. We have a new project that requires some Neo magnets but searching the web results in tons of rare earth vendors but their quality is unknown. Any one have any suggestions based on actual experience? Are there any manufacturers that make rare earth magnets in the U.S. or are they all made in China? Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sreid]

I can highly recommend Magnetic Component Engineering (MCE).

http://www.mceproducts.com/

In the past they used US sourced RE magnets but had qualified China sources for quantity production. They also have a polymer plating that works well in place of Nickel (but they offer Nickel).

 

[gphatch]

Currently there is very little production of Neo magnets in the USA, if any. These days, licensed Chinese Neo suppliers produce high quality materials that standup very well over time. Japanese Neo suppliers also produce high quality product.

My own company, Dexter Magnetic Technologies, uses carefully selected sources of Neo in China and Japan, who can also coat and plate magnets in a variety of materials. Feel free to give us a shout if you'd like more information.

Gareth P. Hatch, Ph.D.
Director of Technology
Dexter Magnetic Technologies

http://www.dextermag.com

 

[Clyde38]

I completely understand your concerns and they are well founded (Chinese Vendors). To add to the above recommendations, all of which I have had good experiences, I highly recommend:
Shin-Etsu Magnetics, Inc

http://www.shinetsu-rare-earth-magnet.jp/e

952.941.3370 (P)
952.941.3855 (F)

 

[Bilbrough]

I can give two suggestions for places: one is already mentioned here, Dexter. I used to know a few of the guys working there and I know they are pretty careful and do good work. Use them if you have a bigger project that requires a lot of materials. The second one is Dura Magnetics (

http://www.duramag.com).

They can get you magnets from Europe or Asia and they are very careful about what they bring in. Use them if you are doing smaller projects or prototyping.

Both companies will treat you well.

Grant

 

[unclesyd]

Here is another site that talks a good game. I haven't dealt with them but might be a place to start.

They mention something that I haven't heard is that Neo Magnets need a license to be legal in the US.

 

[harvest3]

Thanks for all the leads. I've contacted all the recommended vendors and we'll take it from there.

 

[unclesyd]

Here is the link I left off in my post.

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

 

[gphatch]

Yes indeed - only suppliers who have a license from one of the key players on the intellectual property side of things, are legally allowed to sell into the USA. Similar restrictions apply in Europe and Japan. You can read more about this at:

http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/pdf/pi20070401ea.pdf

Gareth P. Hatch, Ph.D.
Director of Technology
Dexter Magnetic Technologies

http://www.dextermag.com