Neocube

A Neocube magnet set, consisting of 216 neodymium-iron-boron magnetic balls, each approx. 5 mm in diameter

Magnetic balls arranged in the shape of a cylinder

A pattern made up of magnetic balls

Two objects made from magnetic balls. The right object has the closest packing of spheres .

Neocube is a desk toy that consists of several spherical neodymium-iron-boron magnets. Among other things, it can be used as a creative game, anti-stress toy or decorative object. The individual magnetic balls are individually movable and can be arranged in different ways to create diverse structures. Due to the potential danger to children, attempts have been made to ban Neocube and other magnetic toys.

trade

The desk toy has been available in stores since 2009. In addition to Neocube, there are similar products under different brand names - including, for example, BuckyBalls, Zen Magnets, NeoClicks or Nanodots. Such magnet sets are available in different sizes and colors. Most consist of 125 or 216 spheres with a diameter of approx. 5 mm, which are arranged in the form of a 5 × 5 × 5 or 6 × 6 × 6 cube as standard.

Bipolar self-assembly

The individual magnetic balls are bipolar permanent magnets. That is, every sphere has a magnetic north and south pole. This makes it possible to create a wide variety of shapes and structures that remain stable due to the magnetic interactions and withstand mechanical deformations due to external influences.

safety instructions

Neocube is intended as a desk toy for adults and, according to the manufacturers, should be kept away from children under 14 years of age. If several neodymium-iron-boron magnetic balls are swallowed, there is a risk of serious injuries to the internal abdominal and intestinal area, which require surgical intervention. If two magnetic balls attract each other and part of the intestinal wall is squeezed in, the inadequate blood supply can result in tissue death or intestinal perforation with fatal consequences. Immediate medical treatment is recommended if magnetic balls are swallowed.

Web links

Commons : Neocube - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

↑ Final Rule: Safety Standard for Magnet Sets . September 3, 2014. Accessed May 31, 2015.
↑ Casey Chan: Buckyballs Magnets Have Been Banned by the Feds . July 25, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
↑ Dominic Vella, Emmanuel du Pontavice, Cameron L. Hall, Alain Goriely: The magneto-elastica: from self-buckling to self-assembly . In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London . December 2013.
↑ Andrew Martin: For Buckyballs Toys, Child Safety Is a Growing Issue . In: The New York Times , August 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
↑ Mario Aguilar: How Buckyballs Fell Apart . July 24, 2014. Accessed May 31, 2015.

[1] Final Rule: Safety Standard for Magnet Sets . September 3, 2014. Accessed May 31, 2015.

[2] Casey Chan: Buckyballs Magnets Have Been Banned by the Feds . July 25, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2015.

[3] Dominic Vella, Emmanuel du Pontavice, Cameron L. Hall, Alain Goriely: The magneto-elastica: from self-buckling to self-assembly . In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London . December 2013.

[4] Andrew Martin: For Buckyballs Toys, Child Safety Is a Growing Issue . In: The New York Times , August 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2015.

[5] Mario Aguilar: How Buckyballs Fell Apart . July 24, 2014. Accessed May 31, 2015.