The present invention relates to the field of apparatuses and methods of producing optical effect layers (OEL) comprising magnetically oriented magnetic or magnetizable pigment particles. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses comprising a first block (A) comprising a holder (1a) having mounted thereto a stator comprising n magnet-wire coils (1b) disposed in n annular slots of a magnetic-field-guiding stator core (1c), and a second block (B) comprising a casing (4), a rotor protection plate (2), a rotor comprising m permanent magnet poles (3a) of alternating polarity arranged around a circle in or on one side of a rotor disc (3b), and a permanent magnet assembly (PMA) (5), wherein the holder (A) is configured to be removeably fixed to a base of a rotating magnetic orienting cylinder (RMC) or a flatbed (FB) magnetic orienting printing unit and the second block (B) is removeably fixed to the first block (A).

Provided herein are methods and compositions comprising a non-toxic ferromagnetic ink composition. Also provided herein are plastic objects containing a surface coating of a food-safe ferromagnetic ink composition. The coating imparts functionality to a plastic object such that the object is capable of being mechanically separated from waste stream using a commercial magnetic separator. The food-safe ink composition, which can be printed using high-speed flexographic, intaglio, offset printing or pad printing, combined with heat transfer printing or hot foil stamping consists of an ingestible magnetically susceptible pigment capable of rendering the printed template with magnetically active properties. The surface of the plastic object described can consist of geometric designs which increase printable surface area without significant changes in dimensions of the said object.

A system for direct writing a conformal or free-form magnet includes producing a magnetic ink compound by mixing an photopolymer base and a magnetic material powder, extruding a layer of the magnetic ink compound through a nozzle on to a target substrate to form a layer, soft-curing the layer by exposing the layer to a first light, repeatedly extruding a layer and soft-curing the layer, then post-curing the magnet by exposing the magnet to a second light and an elevated temperature.

A system for direct writing a conformal or free-form magnet includes producing a magnetic ink compound by mixing an photopolymer base and a magnetic material powder, extruding a layer of the magnetic ink compound through a nozzle on to a target substrate to form a layer, soft-curing the layer by exposing the layer to a first light, repeatedly extruding a layer and soft-curing the layer, then post-curing the magnet by exposing the magnet to a second light and an elevated temperature.

A method and apparatus for producing a composite part are provided to enable composite parts to be assembled with precise control over the orientation and spatial distribution of reinforcing or other particles within a matrix material. The method and apparatus use magnetic fields applied during various additive manufacturing processes to achieve complex particles orientations within each layer of the part. The composite parts can achieve enhanced properties, including mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties.

A method and apparatus for producing a composite part are provided to enable composite parts to be assembled with precise control over the orientation and spatial distribution of reinforcing or other particles within a matrix material. The method and apparatus use magnetic fields applied during various additive manufacturing processes to achieve complex particles orientations within each layer of the part. The composite parts can achieve enhanced properties, including mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties.

There are provided an oriented body such as a magnetic sheet in which a value of degree of orientation of magnetic particles is beyond 3.5, and a method for producing the same, and a device for producing the same, wherein the oriented body such as a magnetic sheet is produced through the steps of: mixing a mixed solution containing a solvent and a vehicle and -iron oxide particles by shaking stirring, and dispersing the -iron oxide particles in the mixed solution; providing a mixed solution in which the -iron oxide particles are dispersed, on a predetermined substrate; and removing the solvent while applying a magnetic field to the substrate provided with the mixed solution, to obtain an oriented body.

There are provided an oriented body such as a magnetic sheet in which a value of degree of orientation of magnetic particles is beyond 3.5, and a method for producing the same, and a device for producing the same, wherein the oriented body such as a magnetic sheet is produced through the steps of: mixing a mixed solution containing a solvent and a vehicle and -iron oxide particles by shaking stirring, and dispersing the -iron oxide particles in the mixed solution; providing a mixed solution in which the -iron oxide particles are dispersed, on a predetermined substrate; and removing the solvent while applying a magnetic field to the substrate provided with the mixed solution, to obtain an oriented body.

A method of making magnetizable abrasive particles includes providing a slurry layer disposed on a substrate. The slurry layer has an exposed surface and comprises magnetic particles, a binder precursor, and a liquid vehicle. Abrasive particles are electrostatically contacted with the slurry layer such that they are aligned substantially oriented perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and are partially embedded within the slurry layer. The liquid vehicle is at least partially removed from the slurry layer and the binder precursor is converted into a binder to provide a magnetizable layer comprising the magnetic particles partially embedded in the binder. The magnetizable abrasive particles are separated from the releasable substrate. Each magnetizable abrasive particle respectively comprises a portion of the magnetizable layer disposed on a portion of an abrasive particle.

A method of making magnetizable abrasive particles includes providing a slurry layer disposed on a substrate. The slurry layer has an exposed surface and comprises magnetic particles, a binder precursor, and a liquid vehicle. Abrasive particles are electrostatically contacted with the slurry layer such that they are aligned substantially oriented perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and are partially embedded within the slurry layer. The liquid vehicle is at least partially removed from the slurry layer and the binder precursor is converted into a binder to provide a magnetizable layer comprising the magnetic particles partially embedded in the binder. The magnetizable abrasive particles are separated from the releasable substrate. Each magnetizable abrasive particle respectively comprises a portion of the magnetizable layer disposed on a portion of an abrasive particle.