A maxel is the individual magnetic element — like a pixel — printed onto a coded magnet. Each maxel is roughly 1 to 4 mm and has its own size, location, polarity (North or South) and strength. Combined on a grid, many maxels form a programmed magnetic field.

What is a coded or correlated magnet?

A coded magnet has its face divided into many maxels arranged to a pattern drawn from coding theory, such as Barker codes used in radar and RF. The pattern lets two magnets attract strongly when aligned, repel when shifted, hold at a set distance, self-center, latch and release, or respond only to a matching coded partner.

Where can coded magnets be manufactured?

Correlated-magnetics technology was invented in 2008 and is commercialized under the PolyMagnet brand, where coded magnets can be designed and made to a required behavior.

Coded · Correlated · Programmable magnets

A magnet you can print.

A maxel is a single magnetic pixel. Print thousands of them — each with its own size, place, polarity and strength — and you encode a field that knows exactly how to behave.

See how it works Get coded magnets made

Maxel array · live Barker 13 × 7

N — · S — · flips 0

The unit

What's a maxel?

Think of a printed photo. The image isn't one big color — it's a grid of pixels. A coded magnet works the same way: instead of one uniform North–South block, its face is a mosaic of tiny magnetic pixels called maxels. Program the mosaic and you program the force.

Size1–4 mm per maxel — small enough to pack hundreds onto a single magnet face.
LocationPlaced on a precise grid, like pixels on a screen — position is part of the code.
PolarityEach maxel points N or S, set independently of its neighbors.
StrengthIndividually tuned, so the combined field peaks and cancels exactly where the design intends.

Behaviors

What a pattern can do

The same two pieces of material behave completely differently depending on how their maxels are coded. A field becomes a set of instructions.

Attract on contact

Grips hard when the two coded faces meet and align — far stronger for its size than a plain magnet.

Repel

Codes that mismatch push apart cleanly — a contactless spring with no touching parts to wear.

Hold at a distance

Balances attraction and repulsion so parts float or spring to a set gap instead of slamming shut.

Self-center & align

Off-center faces slide themselves into perfect registration — automatic alignment with no guides.

Latch & release

Holds firmly, then lets go with a small twist or shear — a magnetic catch you can open by hand.

Coded pair only

A magnet ignores every partner but the one carrying its matching code — a mechanical key and lock.

In the field

Where maxels go to work

Anywhere a plain magnet is too blunt an instrument — where the force needs a rule.

Aerospace

Tool-free panels and connectors that align and release on command.

Medical

Precise, repeatable holds for devices and implantable assemblies.

Robotics

Self-centering end-effectors and quick-swap coded tool changers.

Automotive / EV

Contactless springs, dampers and secure keyed couplings.

Consumer

Closures that snap, hold and pop — matched only to their partner.

Ready to build

Get coded magnets made.

Have a behavior in mind — attract, hold, spring, latch, or a coded pair? Coded magnets are designed and manufactured to spec under the PolyMagnet brand.

Design one at polymagnet.com