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Do magnets and electronics mix?

Ever since Kurt Vonegout first wrote about magneticly suspended furniture I have been in love with the idea. When S.A.P. came out with the relaxa isolation base ($500) My interest was rekindled. My first thought was that I could make my own for about $100. The only thing that bothers me is what effect rare earth magnets will have on the electronics... tubes in particular. I can not believe it would not fowl a stream of electrons. Perhaps the exponential decay of force over increased distance is enough buffer. Any thoughts, fella's? I like the idea of zero contact under my components. I wonder how many magnets would be required to lift my 200+ lb altec vott's and what havoc that would wreak.
shiitakexxx
ed_sawyer
588 posts
 
Magnetic levitation in three dimensions is not really possible. In all situations that I know of, there will be some force (read: hard contact) in at least one dimension, to keep the whole assembly oriented. Would be great if it was truly suspended, but more like magnetically sprung is the reality of it. the platforms for TT and the like that are sold for the purpose have a single rod connecting/orienting the upper and lower sections, which are sprung by magnets. without the rods, the upper platform would just skate away and fall to the ground.

-Ed
shiitakexxx OP
3 posts
 
That was Malechi Constants problem in Vonegout's "Sirens of Titan". The magnetic furniture kept sqirting around. I had Planned to tether the platform with a guide pin and a felt gasket or the cutting wheel of a pipe cutter.
herman
2,259 posts
 
The idea of isolation and "zero contact" is wishful thinking. The force that pushes the magnets apart is just as real as the force that holds up a component on any other type of footer. It isn't a magic carpet that just floats there.

Even though they aren't physically touching the two pieces are still coupled together by these forces just as if they were. Moving one will exert a force on the other. If the magnets in the base vibrate for whatever reason, this will move the magnetic field and cause the "floating" piece to vibrate as well, and vice versa..
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Ed-sawyer...Magnetic levitation in three axes is possible: it is used to "suspend" the active parts of gyros and accelerometers used in missile guidance systems. It is an ac system, where movement of the suspended part towards a point where it would "touch down" changes the impedance of the coil that is providing suspension force in such a way that the current in that coil is changed, and its force changes so as to push the suspended part away. A set of coils provides both axial and radial support of the suspended part.However the available forces are much too small to be useful in this audio application.

If you really want a vibration-free mount, and cost is no object, check out www.halcyonics.com. I have "at-work" experience with their Mod-1M model, and it really works.
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