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| electromagnetic project |
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| jake598:
I have an idea. Well that is the first step I guess, but with limited to no experience in electronics this is going to be a long road ahead. I want to be able to control the magnetic force from an electro-magnet with a dimmer switch (if this is possible). Rather than a 'sucking' type magnet I am after a 'pushing' type (i know that isn't the right terminology). The dimmer switch is there as I want to be able to control the distance static magnets will be pushed away from the elctro-magnet. The maximum distance it will have to propel the static magnet away from the electro-magnet is 50cm. Hopefully I can get a smooth transition when dimming the electro-magnet. I know this is slightly confusing as I am un-aware of the correct terminology but if anyone is able to help me with what sort of magnet and materials I would need to start, and if you have any ideas to constructing this apparatus, it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers! |
| Bluechip:
Hi Jake Welcome to Madmodder ... If the solenoid is AC, then you can, in theory control it with a dimmer. You do need a solenoid that is continuously rated, many have a duty cycle. However ... Electromagnetic force at 50 cm :bugeye: You will need one helluva solenoid .... I think we need some more details ... Unless I've got something wrong ... not unknown :loco: :lol: Dave BC |
| HS93:
I think you may need a yard of track from a magnetic levitation train. :palm: :palm: :zap: Peter |
| andyf:
Hi Jake, Apart from the distance, which would probably involve currents far beyond the rating of a dimmer switch, there is another problem. Dimmer switches run on AC, and if you run your electromagnet on AC the magnetic flux will switch with the AC, with the poles switching rapidly between (in normal magnetic terms) north and south. This doesn't usually matter if you are trying to attract a piece of iron as in an AC relay coil, but if you are trying to attract or repel a magnet with its own N and S poles, there will be a problem. I suppose you could rectify the AC coming out of the dimmer and run the electromagnet on DC, but again the currents involved would be huge for the distance involved. The coil would heat up, too. If you just want to levitate an object magnetically, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_levitation , but note that it only works with materials which can't themselves be magnetised either temporarily or permanently and the distances involved are generally short. Andy |
| jake598:
blue chip, This is my amateur cartoon sketch of generally what I would like to achieve. By having a blanket of magnetic beads (I was thinking of the magnetic stone hematite) on top of a 'electro-magnet'. Hopefully this moveable 'skin' is able to be contracted and retracted through magnetic force, and hopefully the amount that the 'skin' (beads) retracts is controlled through a device similar to a dimmer switch. I just thought that the dimmer switch would be a practical solution but I think this is proving much more difficult than I imagined. It seems a bit abstract but it is all in my head :) |
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