Magnets in Modular Products and Educational Designs
In modular and educational products, magnets connect parts without screws or clips. Use disc or cube magnets that you fully glue in or enclose, pay attention to pole orientation (or use diametrical magnets) and for children's products choose sizes that cannot come loose.
Short answer: in modular products (building systems, displays, furniture, packaging) and educational designs, magnets connect parts without screws, clips or glue, so they can be recombined again and again. Usually you use disc magnets (Ø6 – Ø10 mm) or cube magnets that you fully glue in or enclose in the print. The trickiest part is the pole orientation: for parts you want to connect in any position, you need to work cleverly with poles. For products for children, the magnets must be fixed so that they cannot come loose.
Design choices
| Question | Solution |
|---|---|
| Every part must fit every other part | alternate north and south per side (for example north left, south right), or use magnet + steel plate |
| Parts must be able to rotate in all directions | ball magnets in a cage, or diametrical magnets that can rotate freely |
| Tight square connections | cube magnets or block magnets |
| Invisible in wood or plastic | disc magnet with 0.5 – 1 mm of material in front |
| Detachable yet firm | combine a magnet with a form-fitting edge or lug, so the magnet only has to pull, not carry |
Educational products and children
Magnets are ideal for learning physics and spatial awareness. But small loose magnets are dangerous if swallowed. We are therefore cautious:
- enclose magnets fully in the product, preferably in wood or sturdy plastic;
- for loose parts, use plastic-coated magnets of a size that cannot be swallowed;
- toys for children must comply with the European Toy Safety Directive, which has its own requirements for magnets.
Read more in magnets, children and pets.
From prototype to series
- Test with standard magnets from stock. See magnets for 3D-printed applications.
- Record the pole orientation in your drawing and, if necessary, have magnets supplied with marked poles.
- For larger series or non-standard sizes: see custom-made magnets.
