Holding

Holding devices come in a many shapes and sizes. Their main function is to magnetically clamp one device onto a magnetic base. The magnetic base can be anything from your refrigerator door to an automobile engine. Most holding devices consist of a magnet embedded into a steel housing, although sometimes a bare magnet can be used. The magnet is usually embedded in the housing and does not make contact with the magnetic base. Instead, the magnet magnetizes the steel housing, which does the actual holding. Holding forces from a few ounces to hundreds of pounds can be generated. For example a cup assembly of 3.20' diameter and 0.435' height can support 90 lb of force.

The design of the housing holding the magnet is crucial, since it will be making contact with the magnetic base and determine how much force will be produced. For curved surfaces, it is usually best to use a matching curved surface for the magnetic assembly. It is best to have the housing make direct contact with the magnetic base because the holding force drops off rapidly if there is separation (called an 'air gap'). An air gap of only a few thousandths of an inch can produce a large variation in holding power.

For further inquiries, please e-mail us at info@dextermag.com -or- call us at:  800-345-4082 (In North America) or +44 (0) 1189 602430 (In Europe).