Magnet Design and Analysis Techniques

In order to extract maximum leverage from any particular grade of material in a permanent magnet device, as well as to derive optimum designs which meet functional and techno-economic requirements, it is essential to employ reliable design and analysis techniques. In this respect, whilst the relatively crude lumped circuit approach is still appropriate at the initial stages of design synthesis, the frequently more demanding uses to which magnets are being put may necessitate detailed analysis by finite elements. Nevertheless even this technique is sometimes inappropriate, a non-linear discrete reluctance network approach, which can account for predominant leakage paths and saturation, often being preferred. The various techniques are discussed, and their utility demonstrated via a number of case studies.