Working SMOT ramp from Tom Ferko ?

[magnetman12003]

Hi Tim,

Its worth a try.   I found that the "flat" side of the donut ring magnet does not do well in any type of a turn as is needed running an oval track.   The shape of the donut magnet best suited would look just like a donut with totally rounded sides and bottom. Then only a small bottom part will contact the track at any time with little friction.  A flat cylinder shaped surface wants to run straight.  Much drag in turns.

I was going to make rounded inserts and slip my cylinder shaped runner magnets inside them to have that real donut look.

Next I was going to place a long non magnetic axle rod through the center of the donut. At the other end of the rod would be a fixed CENTER pivot point allowing the donut shaped magnet wheel with long axle attached to roll in a circular form with ease.

Then I would shape my "Staggered" rail sections in a circular form and work them ahead of the magnet wheel/axle setup in a step by step fashion.  All the time watching closely if the donut magnet was (by itself) tracking the rail placement I was experimenting and building ahead of
it. 

You will find out very quickly that the inside staggered rails in a circular form are much smaller than the ouside staggered rails.  If done as above you wont have to hold the magnet /wheel/ axle assembly.  As you are experimenting with rail placements the donut wheel should move with you if everything you place ahead of it agrees magnetically.

I started to do this but put it on a back burner as other things came up.  Its hard to find round donut inserts to put a cylinder shaped magnet inside.  A good wood lath shop person can probably fabricate one for you.

    Tom

[nwman]

Tom,

Have you tried a steel ball bearing through the SMOT?

Do you think the waving (side to side) of the ring magnet rolling through the SMOT is necessary or could the ring just roll straight through on a track and still work?

How easy was it for you to reproduce the same action shown in the first video? Was it difficult to get it to roll straight through and out every time? Did it work the first time you passed it through? What other actions would happen if it didn't work correctly; for example did the ring twist and stick to a rail?

Could you e-mail me the first video? I would still like to see a full run through like I explained earlier with the ring a foot or so before the first rail and then gently pushed until the rail pulled it into, through and out the other side. If I could see that I would be on the next flight to meet you.

I'm still a believer in the laws of physics however that doesn't mean I agree with what "they" say can and can not be done. This makes me wonder where the energy is coming from. In the case of gravity wheels gravity is the source of power (theoretically). Magnets on the other hand have different properties. I'm just wondering where the energy is comeing from? Maybe if this does work then a new interpretation of forces is required to explain the energy.

From my experience and probably all of you I can't help but know this doesn't work for some reason, but it is that reason that drive me crazy to know "why?"

Anything else have input on the latest designs? Anyone trying to replicate any of the previous experiments?


Tim

P.S. I hope this works!

[nwman]

Tom,

Just to confirm the polarity and layout of your first experiment please check out the graphic and let me know if this is how you had it laid out. Using:

3- 1" thick x 4.5" Diameter Ring magnets

Two rails with:

In each rail:
78 - 3/4" Diameter x 1/4" Thick ceramic Disc magnets in groups of 6 (1.5" long) with 1/4 spacers between groups all mounted in a 3/4" aluminum Chanel.

The first rail ends at the mid point of the second rail. Both slanted inwards.

In position:
1. the ring is only pulled in with no repelling force.

2. The ring is pulled in and slightly to the right.

3. The ring is then attracted to the left rail and slightly repelled by the right rail.

4. The left rail still attracts the ring while the right rail is not pushing the ring away.

5. The left rail is not pushing the ring back and away but the ring has enough inertia to travel free.

6. The ring is free from all forces of the rails and has inertia left to travel forward.



Would this description be correct?

[nwman]

I just waned to post this link to a site on magnets. I found it to be vary useful and informative on the basics-intermediate information on magnets. Lots of pictures and simple explanations. Its a must read for magnet lovers.

http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magindex.htm

Tim

P.S. I plan on buying everything needed to reproduce Tom's first experiment on Monday. I'm hoping to find that 4.5" magnet some place in town but I may have to order it which might take a week or two.

[magnetman12003]

I just waned to post this link to a site on magnets. I found it to be vary useful and informative on the basics-intermediate information on magnets. Lots of pictures and simple explanations. Its a must read for magnet lovers.

http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magindex.htm

Tim

P.S. I plan on buying everything needed to reproduce Tom's first experiment on Monday. I'm hoping to find that 4.5" magnet some place in town but I may have to order it which might take a week or two.

Hi Tim,

Your illustration is correct. However - One of my rails was constructed of neodymium magnets as described on page one of this SMOT forum when it first started.  The neos were 3/4 inch in diameter while the stacked ceramic rail magnets were 1 inch in diameter. Dont forget to put the 1/4 inch wood spacers between every one inch grouping of the stacked rail magnets.

Everything must be perfectly level as starters.  Then you will have to experiment with your rails for exact placement to duplicate this.  The rails have to be placed correctly or the runner magnet will try to spin around. I used a non ferrous rail guide to reduce that tendency.   That explains why the runner is 3 inches thick and heavy.  A small light ring magnet will not work.

The thicker ( wide) the better when working with a LINEAR DESIGN. 

Wide is not good when attempting a circular design.  Thats why the round donut idea.  I  will post that idea next.   You can buy the three 4.5 inch ceramic diameter runner
magnets you need from: www.surpluscenter.com     


Tom