Cubic neodymium magnets

Because every cubic neodymium magnet has a perfectly symmetrical shape, it is impossible to visually distinguish its poles. In standard neodymium cubes, the magnetization is axial and runs parallel to one of the pairs of opposite faces, which means that only two of the six surfaces attract with full strength. To determine which faces of a given cubic neodymium magnet are active, use a simple pole tester, a compass, or bring another known neodymium magnet close to it; the latter will immediately indicate the faces that attract and repel each other..

Each cubic neodymium magnet has straight, sharp edges and corners, which are most susceptible to mechanical damage. Because sintered neodymium is a very brittle material, a violent collision between two blocks traveling at high speed concentrates an enormous impact force on a very small area at the corner. As a result, a cubic neodymium magnet easily chips along its edges, losing its nickel coating, therefore, when handling neodymium cubes, it is absolutely essential to control how close they come to each other and prevent them from “snapping” together uncontrollably from a distance.

When creating continuous lines or arrays using a cubic neodymium magnet, the orientation of the magnetic field must be taken into account. Since each neodymium cube has its poles located on opposite faces, the magnets will form a stable linear chain (one after another) only if they are arranged with opposite poles facing each other.. If you try to slide another cube sideways, this neodymium magnet will begin to spin rapidly in your hands as it attempts to align its lines of force with the field of the adjacent magnet.

The main difference lies in the geometry of the contact surface and the distribution of shear force. A cubic neodymium magnet lies flat against the surface with its entire face in contact, which, under vertical loads, limits slippage more effectively than a cylinder that makes contact at a single point. In addition, the flat, perpendicular sides make it much easier to install a neodymium cube into rectangular enclosures, profiles, or wooden structures, where a round neodymium magnet would require drilling complex-shaped holes.

It is extremely difficult to pull two joined neodymium cubes apart head-on due to the high magnetic flux density concentrated on the flat surface. The correct technique involves sliding one cube along the surface of the other until it reaches the edge. Because of the flat sides of a cubic neodymium magnet, it is easiest to rest the bottom cube against the edge of a wooden table and, with a firm downward motion, slide the top neodymium piece off, taking care to ensure that the magnets do not collide again after they have been separated.