ABSTRACT
Increasingly more microactuators are based on the electromagnetic or electrodynamic principle. Polarised microactuators play a special role. They allow larger forces and they can produce forces without power consumption. Also, they can produce repulsive forces. So, novel applications become possible, being not possible by the use o f conventional neutral magnetic devices. Examples are magnetic bearing units using repulsive forces and fast switching actuators for relays and valves. By miniaturising actuators, the dimensions o f the permanent magnets become smaller, too. This might lead to manufacturing and handling problems. Therefore, new materials, new material combinations and new manufacturing methods have to be developed for this applications.
