# Maglev (magnetic) Bearings? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [April 30, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970 "2013-04-30T23:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![yoyospirit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyospirit/32/219875_2.png) [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/21 "2013-05-01T02:28:13Z")
> [@SaltySalvador](#): > > > [@yoyospirit](#): > > > > > [@SaltySalvador](#): > > > > > > > [@yoyospirit](#): > > > > > > > > Actually, a magnetic bearing would not work well at all. The reason why a bearing spins so well is because there is very little friction compared to just a wooden axle. Magnetism adds friction. Take a quarter and slide it across a white board, then take a magnet of the same size and slide it across a whiteboard, which one feelt easier to slide? A bearing works the same way, the balls in the bearing would have trouble rolling across magnetic outer and inner race. Would be useful for looping though, a forever responsive bearing. > > > > > > I don’t think he gets it. > > > > > > I remember posting this exact same thing in “future of yoyoing” thread. I love it. > > > > Who doesn’t get it? I understand the concept, just trying to keep it in reality. > > You don’t get it. Just read what this guy said: > > > [@yuki\_onitsura](#): > > > > It essentially eliminates the friction between the bearings, thereby increasing spin times. We’re not talking about bearings that stick to metal stuff, we’re talking about bearings that repel each other and the race. Essentially, the bearings will be hovering in the space between the inner and outer races of the bearing. > > > > While I think it could be done, I don’t think it’s feasible from a business perspective. > > > > Yuki Look, I already do understand it, the balls are suspended in mid air by the magnetic outer race and inner race by the force of repulsion. Now, here’s where I’m trying to be realistic, it’s not possible, might be a shocker for you, but it just isn’t. What I’m saying is all permanent magnets have 2 poles. It would be impossible to suspend the balls in mid air, because due to the nature if magnets. The inner race and outer race and the balls would constantly move. Say they found a way to construct the bearing so it doesn’t do that, well, the bearing wont be able to withstand the force of a throw, and will most likely come apart in the yoyo. ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/22 "2013-05-01T02:47:21Z")
It’s the shape and size of the bearing that’s an issue. Trying to get those forces to operate in a circle is a lot different than having them operating on something straight like a rail line. ---
**Author:** ![GregBobson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregbobson/32/1315_2.png) [@GregBobson](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregBobson)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/23 "2013-05-01T03:03:46Z")
> [@yoyospirit](#): > > Look, I already do understand it, the balls are suspended in mid air by the magnetic outer race and inner race by the force of repulsion. Now, here’s where I’m trying to be realistic, it’s not possible, might be a shocker for you, but it just isn’t. What I’m saying is all permanent magnets have 2 poles. It would be impossible to suspend the balls in mid air, because due to the nature if magnets. The inner race and outer race and the balls would constantly move. Say they found a way to construct the bearing so it doesn’t do that, well, the bearing wont be able to withstand the force of a throw, and will most likely come apart in the yoyo. It seems you don’t understand it. There are no balls involved. It’s just the inner and outer races with the outer race suspended above the inner race. Also it will work, if you don’t believe me look up maglev. ---
**Author:** ![yoyospirit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyospirit/32/219875_2.png) [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/24 "2013-05-01T03:10:43Z")
> [@GregBobson](#): > > > [@yoyospirit](#): > > > > Look, I already do understand it, the balls are suspended in mid air by the magnetic outer race and inner race by the force of repulsion. Now, here’s where I’m trying to be realistic, it’s not possible, might be a shocker for you, but it just isn’t. What I’m saying is all permanent magnets have 2 poles. It would be impossible to suspend the balls in mid air, because due to the nature if magnets. The inner race and outer race and the balls would constantly move. Say they found a way to construct the bearing so it doesn’t do that, well, the bearing wont be able to withstand the force of a throw, and will most likely come apart in the yoyo. > > It seems you don’t understand it. There are no balls involved. It’s just the inner and outer races with the outer race suspended above the inner race. Also it will work, if you don’t believe me look up maglev. Oh, so it’s just the two races? It still won’t work though, can’t be applied to something as small as a bearing and expect it to work. Maglev trains and such require a ton of power to keep the train up, it doesn’t use natural magnets. ---
**Author:** ![MYNAMEISZen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@MYNAMEISZen](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MYNAMEISZen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/25 "2013-05-01T03:16:41Z")
> [@yoyospirit](#): > > Actually, a magnetic bearing would not work well at all. The reason why a bearing spins so well is because there is very little friction compared to just a wooden axle. Magnetism adds friction. Take a quarter and slide it across a white board, then take a magnet of the same size and slide it across a whiteboard, which one feelt easier to slide? A bearing works the same way, the balls in the bearing would have trouble rolling across magnetic outer and inner race. Would be useful for looping though, a forever responsive bearing. not If one was negative and one was positive. There would be very little friction. Maybe I’m wrong ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/26 "2013-05-01T03:24:39Z")
![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/0/5/5/05544146603a1d90d1cb55d7ed35714df92bb8b8.jpeg) \_\_\_\_ magnets. How do they work? ---
**Author:** ![xcharger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aeb1de/32.png) [@xcharger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/xcharger)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/27 "2013-05-01T03:51:18Z")
the idea of a magnet bearing would be great where there would be no friction. but a bearing of this small size would not be able to handle the force of the yoyo being thrown. it’ll probably break easily. and it would cost too much just to make. nobody has the time and money to design and invent something nobody would buy. ---
**Author:** ![yoyoer4lifeluke2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8dc957/32.png) [@yoyoer4lifeluke2013](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoer4lifeluke2013)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/28 "2013-05-01T03:56:19Z")
neodinium cheap and the strongest magnet in the world ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e95f7d/32.png) [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo_Kangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/29 "2013-05-01T10:58:18Z")
Ok, so I looked up magnetism on Wikipedia and this is what I found out: All permanent magnets have two poles. I know this has been said before, but it’s true. A particle, atom, ore magnet with only one pole would require all the laws of electromagnetism would have to be rewritten. So, a nonelectric magnetic bearing is impossible, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Gambit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gambit/32/1358_2.png) [@Gambit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Gambit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 12:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/30 "2013-05-01T12:04:51Z")
> **[Magnetic bearing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_bearing)** > > A magnetic bearing is a type of bearing that supports a load using magnetic levitation. Magnetic bearings support moving parts without physical contact. For instance, they are able to levitate a rotating shaft and permit relative motion with very low friction and no mechanical wear. Magnetic bearings support the highest speeds of any kind of bearing and have no maximum relative speed. > Active bearings have several advantages: they do not suffer from wear, have low friction, and can often accommod... Traditional Magnetic Bearings ^ [http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/mirrors/physicsfaq/General/Levitation/levitation.html](http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/mirrors/physicsfaq/General/Levitation/levitation.html) The problem with non-electric magnetism in bearings ^ [http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/spacemech/workshop02/mag-brg.html](http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/spacemech/workshop02/mag-brg.html) NASA trying their hand at it ^ > **[Magnetic bearing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_bearing)** > > A magnetic bearing is a type of bearing that supports a load using magnetic levitation. Magnetic bearings support moving parts without physical contact. For instance, they are able to levitate a rotating shaft and permit relative motion with very low friction and no mechanical wear. Magnetic bearings support the highest speeds of any kind of bearing and have no maximum relative speed. > Active bearings have several advantages: they do not suffer from wear, have low friction, and can often accommod... A way of working around the problem somewhat ^ It would be fantastic if it could be done, but it looks like the kind of bearing you have in mind is impossible. Although I’m not going to pretend that I just understood a single word of the above articles. =P Maybe NASA will perfect their Passive Magnetic Bearings some day, but as far as yoyos are concerned… it aint happening. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e95f7d/32.png) [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo_Kangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/31 "2013-05-01T23:17:04Z")
> [@Gambit](#): > > [Magnetic bearing - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_bearing) > > Traditional Magnetic Bearings ^ > > [http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/mirrors/physicsfaq/General/Levitation/levitation.html](http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/mirrors/physicsfaq/General/Levitation/levitation.html) > > The problem with non-electric magnetism in bearings ^ > > [http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/spacemech/workshop02/mag-brg.html](http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/spacemech/workshop02/mag-brg.html) > > NASA trying their hand at it ^ > > [Magnetic bearing - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrodynamic_bearing) > > A way of working around the problem somewhat ^ > > It would be fantastic if it could be done, but it looks like the kind of bearing you have in mind is impossible. Although I’m not going to pretend that I just understood a single word of the above articles. =P > > Maybe NASA will perfect their Passive Magnetic Bearings some day, but as far as yoyos are concerned… it aint happening. And so the universe is righted, and my question is answered. ---
**Author:** ![YoyoGeezer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyogeezer/32/755_2.png) [@YoyoGeezer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoyoGeezer)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/32 "2013-05-03T01:22:59Z")
Magnetic bearings already exist. Unfortunately, the biggest drawback with magnetic bearings or races, is precisely the conditions under which a yo-yo operates. Electric bearings are practical when they are used for large, consistent loads. Where the load varies; the advantages of an electric bearing diminish rapidly. Add to that the constant, large power requirements, and the whole engineering problem begins to balloon. Where they make sense is in something like a large power generating dynamo. In this application, the rotating axle and turbine are all very heavy. Using traditional ball-bearings would lead to increased maintenance and associated downtime because of the need to constantly lubricate/replace these bearings. Electric bearings can bear the load efficiently and cause much less wear and tear due to non-physical contact in the rotating electric bearing itself. ---
**Author:** ![throwrw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/throwrw/32/1118_2.png) [@throwrw](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/throwrw)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/33 "2013-05-03T01:38:41Z")
> [@](#): > > not If one was negative and one was positive. There would be very little friction. Maybe I’m wrong. Very wrong… opposite poles attract each other. They would have to be the same pole. To do this in a cylinder shape, with natural magnets, is impossible. All natural magnets have two poles no matter how big they are. They have broken up magnets into only particles and they still have two poles… its jut not possible yet. Electromagnetism is the only way a bearing would work. In order to do this in yoyos, you need a very powerful current flow. Unless the yoyo was absolutely huge and had huge power supply, I dont think it would be possible. ---
**Author:** ![MYNAMEISZen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@MYNAMEISZen](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MYNAMEISZen)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/34 "2013-05-03T01:48:12Z")
oh whoops I ment if they were both positive or both negative 🙂 always forget opposites attract 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SaltySalvador](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/saltysalvador/32/1187_2.png) [@SaltySalvador](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SaltySalvador)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/35 "2013-05-03T04:33:27Z")
> [@yoyospirit](#): > > > [@SaltySalvador](#): > > > > > [@yoyospirit](#): > > > > > > > [@SaltySalvador](#): > > > > > > > > > [@yoyospirit](#): > > > > > > > > > > Actually, a magnetic bearing would not work well at all. The reason why a bearing spins so well is because there is very little friction compared to just a wooden axle. Magnetism adds friction. Take a quarter and slide it across a white board, then take a magnet of the same size and slide it across a whiteboard, which one feelt easier to slide? A bearing works the same way, the balls in the bearing would have trouble rolling across magnetic outer and inner race. Would be useful for looping though, a forever responsive bearing. > > > > > > > > I don’t think he gets it. > > > > > > > > I remember posting this exact same thing in “future of yoyoing” thread. I love it. > > > > > > Who doesn’t get it? I understand the concept, just trying to keep it in reality. > > > > You don’t get it. Just read what this guy said: > > > > > [@yuki\_onitsura](#): > > > > > > It essentially eliminates the friction between the bearings, thereby increasing spin times. We’re not talking about bearings that stick to metal stuff, we’re talking about bearings that repel each other and the race. Essentially, the bearings will be hovering in the space between the inner and outer races of the bearing. > > > > > > While I think it could be done, I don’t think it’s feasible from a business perspective. > > > > > > Yuki > > Look, I already do understand it, the balls are suspended in mid air by the magnetic outer race and inner race by the force of repulsion. Now, here’s where I’m trying to be realistic, it’s not possible, might be a shocker for you, but it just isn’t. What I’m saying is all permanent magnets have 2 poles. It would be impossible to suspend the balls in mid air, because due to the nature if magnets. The inner race and outer race and the balls would constantly move. Say they found a way to construct the bearing so it doesn’t do that, well, the bearing wont be able to withstand the force of a throw, and will most likely come apart in the yoyo. Lololololololololololololololololololol I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e95f7d/32.png) [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo_Kangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/36 "2013-05-03T11:30:09Z")
Ok, so what if someone were to take a bunch of triangular prisms, very tall, make the bottom North and the top South, then form all these triangles into some king of spherical object. The South Pole would be inside the sphere, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/37 "2013-05-03T14:04:13Z")
> [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](#): > > Ok, so what if someone were to take a bunch of triangular prisms, very tall, make the bottom North and the top South, then form all these triangles into some king of spherical object. The South Pole would be inside the sphere, wouldn’t it? Doesn’t work quite that way, but let’s say for the sake of argument that it did, and you had a bunch of cylindrical or bar magnets organized in such a way that they roughly formed a “circle” with poles arranged to point inward/outward: at the scale we’re talking about (one wall of a C-sized bearing) there wouldn’t be nearly enough magnetic force. Not by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e95f7d/32.png) [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Yoyo_Kangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/38 "2013-05-04T22:42:04Z")
> [@GregP](#): > > > [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](#): > > > > Ok, so what if someone were to take a bunch of triangular prisms, very tall, make the bottom North and the top South, then form all these triangles into some king of spherical object. The South Pole would be inside the sphere, wouldn’t it? > > Doesn’t work quite that way How does it, then? ---
**Author:** ![SaltySalvador](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/saltysalvador/32/1187_2.png) [@SaltySalvador](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SaltySalvador)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/39 "2013-05-04T22:47:18Z")
> [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](#): > > > [@GregP](#): > > > > > [@Yoyo\_Kangaroo](#): > > > > > > Ok, so what if someone were to take a bunch of triangular prisms, very tall, make the bottom North and the top South, then form all these triangles into some king of spherical object. The South Pole would be inside the sphere, wouldn’t it? > > > > Doesn’t work quite that way > > How does it, then? Doesn’t he answer that in the section of his post that you deleted? lOl ---
**Author:** ![YoyoGeezer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyogeezer/32/755_2.png) [@YoyoGeezer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoyoGeezer)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970/40 "2013-05-04T23:49:13Z")
I think there is a mis-understanding about how electric motors work. Only one-set of the magnets can be permanent type. The stator, the stator AND the rotor, or the rotor, can be variable field magnets. The powered (non-permanent) magnetic coils constantly change their charge and strength to impel the rotor in a constant direction. The attractive force that pulls the rotor around from 12:00 to 6:00, is shut-down and a new set of magnets pushes the rotor from 6:00 to 12:00. Repeat this process over and over, very quickly for best results - like a Tesla. The great thing about electric motors is that they have constant performance and can be teamed together to make larger forces than conventional internal combustion engines. You can take two 20,000 tractive-ton locomotives and hook them together to make one 40,000 locomotive. Ever seen two steam engines hooked together? … But I digress. [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/maglev-magnetic-bearings/52970.md?page=3)