Magnets

Related Config File Sections
magnets:

MPF supports the ability to control precise timing for magnets which you can use to grab and release balls. It also includes the ability to set timings to “fling” a ball by grabbing, releasing, then pulsing the magnet again.

../../_images/magnet1.jpg ../../_images/magnet2.jpg ../../_images/magnet3.jpg

Hardware

Magnets are quite strong single wound coils and everything in the coils section also applies to them. Especially, the Strength and Current calculations apply to them. Expect a resistance in the range of 2 to 10 ohms for a magnet coil.

Connecting Magnets

Please refer to the Connecting Coils section for single wound coils.

If you do not have a diode on your magnet we recommend to add one. Magnets are strong coils and they can easily fry your driver board otherwise.

Magnets often got a thermal fuse soldered inline to the connectors. Those should not limit you in any way.

Part Numbers

Assemblies:

  • PBL-100-0007-00 (with 511-5065-ND coil)

Coils:

  • 20-10197
  • 20-9247
  • 511-5065-ND
  • 90-5064-02
  • A-15685

Dedicated driver boards:

You can use a board such as 520-5068-01 to connect up to three drivers to four logic level outputs (3 inputs + 1 clock). The board contains FETs with flyback diode and a logic buffer for further protection.

Config

This is an example:

coils:
  magnet_coil:
    number:
    default_pulse_ms: 100
    default_hold_power: 0.375

switches:
  grab_switch:
    number:

magnets:
  magnet:
    magnet_coil: magnet_coil
    grab_switch: grab_switch
    release_ball_events: magnet_release
    fling_ball_events: magnet_fling
This example is tested to be valid MPF config. However, it is not integration tested.
coils:
  magnet_coil:
    number:
    default_pulse_ms: 100
    default_hold_power: 0.375

switches:
  grab_switch:
    number:

magnets:
  magnet:
    magnet_coil: magnet_coil
    grab_switch: grab_switch
    release_ball_events: magnet_release
    fling_ball_events: magnet_fling

Monitorable Properties

For dynamic values and conditional events, the prefix for magnets is device.magnets.<name>.

active
Boolean (true/false) as to whether this magnet is actively on and in the powered state.
enabled
Boolean (true/false) which shows whether this ball hold is enabled.