Home, Shop & Industry Uses
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The Use of Permanent Magnets in Electric Motors
Motors are all around us! They are practically indispensable in almost every major industry and can be found wherever there is mechanical movement. In the average household, you will likely find electric motors in your washing machine, microwave, refrigerator, ceiling fans, hairdryers, electric razors, and the list goes on. On an even smaller scale, micro-motors can be found in your most-used electronics — computers, laptops, and cellphones. Continue reading → -
Four Magnetic Hacks Every Mom Should Know
Let’s face it—kids can be messy, disorganized, and curious, sometimes which can lead to lost belongings, toys strewn everywhere, and even unforeseen messes you weren’t prepared for. Luckily, for many minor inconveniences around the house, there’s a magnet to help. Read on for four magnetic hacks every mom should know! Continue reading → -
Removing Microplastics Using Magnets
Using magnets to clean up the ocean isn’t new -—- we’ve even talked about magnets being used in cleaning up oil spills in the oceans before. The future of microplastic disposal in wastewater treatment facilities may be getting cleaned up thanks to one teenager’s science fair project. Irish student Fionn Ferreira recently won Google’s 2019 science fair with his inventive means to extract microplastics from water. Continue reading → -
Three Ways to Save Money Around the House with Magnets
If you’ve read any of our previous blogs on simple magnet hacks and DIY crafts, you know that magnets are a great way to keep your home organized, safe, and efficient, but we’ve also found that magnets can help you save money around the house! These easy and affordable projects may help cut down on drafts and routine maintenance around the house. Read on for three ways to use magnets to help save you money! Continue reading → -
5 Uses for Magnets in Your Child’s Dorm Room
As we’ve shared over the years, magnets are handy resources to have around the house when you’re looking for a quick fix or a temporary solution to some everyday household problems. As you send your child off to college, you can also find useful ways to incorporate magnets in their dorm room for both functionality and personality. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite DIY projects. Read more about each and follow the link above each description for the full instructions! Continue reading → -
Magnets Shown to Create More Power than Electrical Generators
By combining permanent magnets and field winding into a wound rotor system, researchers at Purdue University have come up with a way to reduce the size of some moderate-to-low electric generators while also increasing the efficiency. Continue reading → -
How Magnets are Changing Mountain Bike Chainrings
There seems to be an increased trend of companies incorporating magnets into bike and bike accessory designs --the latest trend includes magnetic platform pedals. The goals of these innovations are to not only improve rider safety but to also improve their performance. One issue that many mountain bikers face is chain drop, although it’s not as common as it used to be since the invention of narrow-wide chainrings. MagSuck, a company based in China, came up with an attractive solution for chain drop—magnetic bike chainrings. Continue reading → -
The Magnetism Behind Stationary Exercise Bikes
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or new to the game, you’re likely familiar with a few popular stationary exercise bikes: Peloton, Schwinn, Echelon Fit, and NordicTrack, which all offer models that use magnetic resistance. There are other types of exercise bikes, including brake-based, direct contact, and fan-based systems, but magnetic resistance is one of the most common types of stationary exercise bike. So, what makes magnetic resistance so popular? Read on to learn more. Continue reading → -
Magnets in Proximity Sensing Applications
Without proximity sensors, the details of our day-to-day lives would change. For example, cell phones wouldn’t be as user-friendly, manufacturing would be less streamlined, and food and beverage production would be harder to automate and monitor. Smart technology and profitable manufacturing rely on accurate measurement, tracking, and monitoring; proximity sensors provide that. The Many Types of Proximity Sensors Proximity sensors... -
Magnet Accessories
You know we sell strong permanent neodymium magnets, but that’s not all! Along with magnets, we also sell magnet accessories to use at work, at home, or just for fun. Read more about the uses for these attractive products below. On the Job Magnetic Shop Floor Sweeper Quickly and easily clear floors of ferrous metal debris with this magnetic sweeper... -
How Magnets are Used in Electronics
The cellphone in your pocket, the tablet on your bedside table, the radio in your office, and the computer you’re currently reading this post on—what do all three of these have in common? We use these devices and many others on a daily basis, but rarely do we think about what they’re made of and how they work. If it... -
Uses for Apex’s Atypical Magnets
If you've ordered from Apex in the past, you’re probably familiar with our most popular products, including discs, blocks, and cylinders. Aside from the commonly used magnets, we also have a category of miscellaneous shaped magnets that serve a multitude of purposes! From organizing your workplace to helping you relieve stress, these “other” shaped magnets will help you in your... -
The Recycling and Disposal of Rare Earth Magnets
While the recycling of rare earth magnets – including neodymium and samarium cobalt – is technically possible, it is not scalable or efficient for most businesses. In fact, less than 1 percent of rare earth elements were recycled from end-of-life products as of 2011, and recent estimates still put magnet recycling in the low single digits at most, due to... -
Magnetic Platform Pedals Make Mountain Bike Crashes Safer
If you’ve ever been mountain biking, you know that it’s important to attach your feet to your pedals, but it can lead to some pretty intense crashing and injuries if you aren’t able to detach yourself from the pedals should an accident occur. The company magped is working toward addressing this issue with a magnetic form of clipless pedals. These... -
Uses for Countersunk Magnets
You’re probably more familiar with countersunk magnets than you believe. These ring-shaped magnets look like washers with a recessed, cone-shaped countersink and a hole in the center. The countersink and the hole exist so the countersunk magnet (also known as countersink magnet) can be anchored in place with a single screw. We sell a variety of countersunk blocks with holes... -
Uncommon Uses of Magnets
While magnets are useful for everyday applications, such as organizing a cluttered bathroom or kitchen, they can also be utilized in some more unconventional ways! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite not-so-common uses for magnets that’ll show you that magnets are for more than hanging photos on your fridge. Continue reading → -
How Leatherman© is Changing the Multitool Game with Neodymium Magnets
At Apex Magnets, we’re always curious to see how companies are using magnets to improve the functionality of their products. In 2019 we learned of Leatherman©’s then-newest multitool line (since discontinued)-- the Leatherman© Free Collection, which is breaking the mold of traditional multitools. Gearheads, outdoorsmen, and handymen alike are getting especially excited over the Free P2 and P4’s versatility, packaging, and ease of use. Our favorite part of the multitools? The innovative use of magnets. Continue reading → -
Keeping Your Cabinet Doors Shut with Magnets
If you live in an older home that has settled, you may find that some of your cabinet doors won’t stay shut no matter what you try. Instead of ripping out and replacing all of your cabinets or packing your bags to move out, we have a quick, temporary fix to keep those pesky doors closed, with magnets, of course. In an earlier post, we created a more permanent DIY: a magnetic cabinet latch solution using countersunk magnets. In this blog, we’re putting together a simple magnet hack that won’t involve power tools (or any tools, really!) Continue reading → -
4 Uses for Cylinder Magnets
If you’re looking for a large pull force relative to the size of a magnet, cylinder magnets are the way to go. Their shape gives you plenty of space to grasp the magnet, which comes in handy in various applications such as these four below: Continue reading → -
4 Uses for Bar Magnets
Neodymium bar magnets are one of the most common shapes of magnets, being used in experiments and everyday items regularly! Bar magnets range in size, from 1/2”x1/8”x1/8” to 2”x1”x1”, and in pull force, from 1.34 pounds to 114 pounds per magnet. What makes them different than other Apex magnets products is that they are magnetized through the length of their body. In addition, the poles are on each end with the weakest external field in the middle, meaning that they may not be as successful in holding onto a magnetic surface. Continue reading → -
3 Ways to Use Cube Magnets
All of our magnets have their own uses and capabilities. Cube magnets, for instance, are popular on dry erase boards and artwork displays, as they are easy to handle. They’re also ideal in classrooms and other experimental environments. Here are three ways you can utilize cube magnets. Continue reading → -
How To Use Sewing Magnets in Adaptive Clothing
According to a 2017 U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Features, about 7.5 million U.S. adults had difficulty dressing or bathing in 2015, and many more people with disabilities have difficulties with things like dressing themselves. Companies like Magna-Ready and Magnaclick are making adaptive clothing for people with joint pain, arthritis, and disabilities, as well as those who just have trouble dressing. Adaptive clothing was also added in 2017 by companies like Target for those with sensory issues who are sensitive to certain textures and materials. Continue reading → -
Rare Earth Magnets Recycling Round-Up
You may have ordered rare earth magnets in the past for a DIY craft, classroom or lab demonstration, or maybe a home organization project, but have you ever looked into where these permanent magnets come from, or how they could potentially be reused? Continue reading → -
Magnetic Bathroom Organizers: Simple Ideas for Less Clutter
Whether you have a compact powder room or a spacious primary bathroom, a few small changes can make everyday routines easier. Magnetic bathroom organizers help you use overlooked surfaces and give frequently used items a convenient home. Start with one cluttered spot and try a project that fits your space. Keep Small Grooming Tools Within Reach A securely mounted magnetic...