Outer magnet assembly system on an optical table
Outer magnet assembly system on an optical table
Finished setup for glueing multiple rows of magnets into aluminum tubes simultaneously. Three tubes at a time will be done. Resin being used is Epon 815C Resin and the curing agent is Epikure 3055. Just finished a metal-to-metal test with a releasing agent, which proved successful that the threading rods will not stick to the magnets if allowed to cure overnight.
Looking for .630" square aluminum tube to glue in some test magnets to
make sure the epoxy will be strong enough to hold the magnets together.
Currently waiting for higher authorities to approve the purchasing of said
tubes. Also, while trying to arrange the spare "test" magnets, two have
been kia:
Purchased 2' of aluminum tubing to glue test magnets. Waiting for them to arrive. Also, received 3 acorn nuts for bolting down the magnets.
The aforementioned tubes sent by the Southern Aluminum Finishing Company were the incorrect size. The correct size was ordered, just not shipped. The correct size has been received free of cost, and we now have 48' of tubing. Yesterday three test magnets were glued into an aluminum tube and allowed to sit overnight. Earlier today, the results were found:
Bolts have been bent by the magnets pushing against each other. The entire holding system has been shifted and pushed back. In addition, the magnet on the end was pushed out and bent another bolt which was holding a brace in place:
A decision is being made whether or not to order 20 Neodymium magnets that are 7" long apiece, in order to simplify and create a hopefully more precise pmq.
On the brighter side, the 3-D axis magnet measurement rack has successfully managed to achieve full 3-D motion and record basic data. Next steps will be to attach wheels and to attempt recording data with a hall probe attached to one of the linear translators.
The pmq has been assembled without the magnets inside it. Some minor changes have been made
to insure that the device could be assembled properly. Some of the outer aluminum tubes were
ground down about 5/1000" and now fit perfectly. The only other parts to be altered were the
thick aluminum pieces that go between the two large steel rings. Both the outer and inner
magnets have been ordered in 8" long pieces. Once these arrive, final assembly of the pmq will
take place. Here are some pictures:
The new magnets have been received from Pacific Centuries Technology, which are of the same material as the previous magnets but 8" in length. Began measurement of inner magnets.
Finished measurements of all 20 inner magnets. Paired up strongest and weakest and decided on order of placement.
Began assembling outer ring with magnets inside. Some of the aluminum tubing used to hold the magnets needs to be ground down slightly in order to properly fit.
Finished assembling the outer magnets in their respective places. Using the 8" magnets, the glue was not needed.
Worked out problem with inner iron/magnet assembly and finished assembling entire inner segment of pmq. Also, turned in a few pieces to the shop for some final modifications on the outer ring segments.