Magnetic connectors — power, data, charging pucks — have to seat in exactly one position and rotation, blind, one-handed, thousands of times, without wearing out. The usual way to guarantee that is machined geometry: keyed shapes, guide pins, lead-in chamfers. Precise, expensive, and it wears.
Let the field do the aligning
An Align Polymagnet encodes the alignment into the magnet itself. Many small poles ("maxels") are printed on one face in a pattern that only reaches full attraction when the two halves are correctly positioned and rotated. Approach it slightly off, and the field actively nudges it into the seated position — a self-aligning magnet that snaps to the right spot.
- Center alignment pulls the parts concentric — good for round connectors and charging coils.
- Rotational alignment (2- or 3-position) locks in orientation so pins/pads meet correctly.
- Shear resistance keeps it from sliding once seated.
The tolerance you used to machine into the housing is now programmed into the magnet.
Why it beats a mechanical guide
No guide features to machine, mold, or wear; forgiving blind mating (the field finds the seat for the user); and a satisfying tactile "click to the right spot." Because the field is concentrated at the surface and near-zero beyond about a quarter inch, there's little stray field to disturb the electronics you're connecting.
What to specify
| Function family | Align — center and/or rotational |
| Alignment | 2- or 3-position rotational; radial centering |
| Pairing | Matched pair, one per connector half |
| Material | NdFeB (N50), Ni-Cu-Ni; to 60°C |
| Stray field | Near-zero beyond ~¼″ |
Related patterns cover magnetic connector alignment, latch design, and 2-in-1 hinges — anywhere two parts must meet the same way every time.
See the behavior for yourself
It's hard to believe until it's in your hand. Order a demo kit, design your pattern, or talk to an application engineer about a custom force curve.
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