Magnetic catches form an important part of Sugatsunes product range so here’s an overview of the various kinds and how they could change the way you work…

In most of the magnetic catches manufactured by Sugatsune ferrite or neodymium permanent magnets are used.

Ferrite magnets are inexpensive and strong enough for most uses. They are made from scintered oxides of iron and boron or strontium and can be moulded or machined to the desired shape. They are brittle and so the magnet will often be protected by a steel housing or yoke.

Sugatsune ferrite magnetic catches have magnetic forces ranging from 250gm mini-magnetic catches up to 15kg heavy duty catches. Rugged and practical they are cost effective and easy to fit, usually surface mounted or snap fitted into sheet metal panels.

Often a separate catch plate is required – so check when ordering.

Neodymium magnets have very high remanance and so can be wafer thin and still have a strong magnetic force. They are rare earth magnets developed to replace the more costly Samarium Cobalt magnets that preceded them.

Thin magnetic catches

Thin magnetic catches using neodymium magnets are unique to Sugatsune and look better than bulky ferrite magnetic catches which have to be mounted inside the cabinet.

Discretely installed on the front edge of the cabinet a thin magnetic catch is easy to fit as it does not require routing.

Ultra thin magnetic catches are less than 3mm thick making them ideal when space or looks are key. The magnets themselves are only 1.2mm thick and yet provide ample magnetic force.

Neodymium magnets are very powerful but they do have an achilles heel, above 80 degrees centigrade they begin to lose their magnetism. For high temperature applications such as food manufacturing equipment Samarium cobalt magnets are preferred which remain operational up to 250 degrees centigrade.

In the semiconductor industry and clean room environments metal to metal contact is avoided so hermetically sealed plastic covered magnetic catches are used. These can be used with sealed counterplates too.

In corrosive or washdown environments a 316 stainless steel (equivalent) counterplate can be used. This is another Sugatsune innovation, a magnetic material with the same corrosion resistance as 316 stainless steel. It can be used with any appropriate catch.

Magnetic touch latches combine a mechanical push to open function with the magnetic catch for flush door and handleless cabinets for domestic or industrial uses. Sugatsune uses a rotary cam rather than a spring mechanism for added durability.

How the user makes his or her choice is usually down to environment, strength, fitting considerations and cost.

Sitting down with the catalogue or browsing the website to view all the options is a good first step then either order online or give customer services a ring at Sugatsune.