China Rare Earth

Long-Term Supply of Rare Earth Materials for Miniature Electronics – Eindhoven, Netherlands

Client Background

A European OEM electronics components manufacturer headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, specializing in precision actuators, haptics modules, and micro-motors for smartphones, wearables, and portable medical devices. Starting in 2016, the company began sourcing rare earth permanent magnet materials for miniaturized assemblies with high torque density and thermal reliability.

Project Scope

Hongbang Technology was chosen as a long-term material partner to provide high-purity NdFeB micro-magnet blanks and Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo) alloys for use in vibration modules and micro-rotary components. The client required extremely tight dimensional tolerances, consistent magnetic orientation, and RoHS-compliant coatings.

Technical Deliverables

  • Materials Supplied:
    • NdFeB Grade N52H magnets (dimensions as small as 1.2 × 0.6 × 0.5 mm)
    • SmCo 1:5 alloy blocks for high-temperature micro-motor assemblies
  • Tolerances: ±0.01 mm (verified by laser micrometry)
  • Coatings:
    • Customized Ni+Epoxy dual-layer coating for NdFeB
    • SmCo delivered uncoated per request, with vacuum-sealed inert packaging
  • Batch Certification: Each lot accompanied by full magnetic and dimensional certification, including demag curves and residual flux density profiles

Implementation Timeline

  • 2016–2017: Initial qualification and engineering trials with small sample volumes
  • 2018–2020: Integrated into wearable haptics components for consumer electronics clients in Germany and the UK
  • 2021–2024: Expanded into medical micro-devices (e.g., portable insulin pumps, capsule endoscopy motors)
  • 2025: Signed 5-year rolling contract, with monthly deliveries exceeding 1.2 million micro-units

Outcome & Impact

  • Zero critical failure rate reported across 22 million installed units between 2018 and 2024
  • Improved torque density by 13% versus previous Japanese supplier, at lower per-unit cost
  • Reduced environmental impact through use of ISO 14001–certified production facility
  • Hongbang now participates in the client’s early-stage design programs for next-gen actuator systems (2026+ roadmap)