Which magnet for BLDC motors?

In a context of a rapidly growing need for low-cost, reliable and easy-to-build Brushless DC (BLDC) motors for mass production, Moving Magnet Technologies has developed a novel motor design, which can be used as a 2 and 3-phase BLDC motor with closed-loop control using low-cost Hall probes, or by detection of the back-EMF. The paper presents the design and technical characteristics of the motor, with emphasis on performances obtained using various magnets, demonstrating a decisive interest for NdFeB bonded ring magnets for BLDC motors. The opportunity for new automotive developments using such motors is also discussed, along with typical examples.