Abstract: A device for positioning a planar array of magnets within a permanent magnet electrical machine of the type having a rotor and stator with an air gap there between. The device includes a body made of non-ferrous material and having a first side which is attachable to the rotor and a second side which, in an assembled machine, faces the air gap. The first side of the body has a plurality of recesses therein for receiving a corresponding plurality of magnets. The recesses are shaped and arranged to separate the magnets from each other and maintain a consistent spacing between them. When the device is attached to the rotor the magnets are held in a fixed position against the rotor. The electrical machine may be a motor or a generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and machine for producing a slotted wound core (50). The machine includes a punch arrangement (16) arranged to punch apertures in a length of material (12a), a mandrel (22) for receiving the punched material, a control means and a mandrel indexing means. The positioning of the punch arrangement (16) and the mandrel (22) is fixed and the mandrel (22) is arranged to be rotated by the mandrel indexing means after each operation of the punch arrangement so that a roll of punched material is formed on the mandrel (22). The mandrel (22) is rotated by an amount (&ggr;) determined by the control means. The control means determines the indexed amount so that selected apertures punched in the length of material align with one another when the material (12a) is rolled onto the mandrel (22) so that the aligned apertures form respective slots (52) of a desired configuration in the core (50).