Companies

While looking for possible sources of Visual Levitation kits or parts, I found some of the companies related to its manufacture. It is my hope that the kit eventually goes into production again. Here is a short overview including contact information, to make it easier to check availability.

Please search the Applegate Directory for the latest information about technology and manufacturing in the UK and Ireland.

Magnetic Suspensions International

The electronics was designed by the Magnetic Suspensions of Cardiff. They also have a relationship with Wolfson Centre. The Isle of Man company with the similar name (below) was a distribution point.

Home page: www.magnetics-research.co.uk
Applegate directory: Magnetic Suspensions

Magnetic Suspensions Intl
Cardiff Business Technology Centre, Senghenydd Road
Cardiff
CF24 4AY (Road Map)
South Glamorgan
Tel: 029 2038 8058
Fax: 029 2038 7838

Magnetic Suspensions Ltd

The distribution company was located on the Isle of Man. There seems to be a large number of companies on this small island in the Irish Sea; apparently it offers some popular tax advantages.

Home page: URL unknown
Applegate directory: Magnetic Suspensions Ltd

Magnetic Suspensions Ltd
Kerrowmoar West, Kerrowmoar
Ramsey
IM7 2AX
Isle of Man, UK
Tel: 01624 897800
Fax: 01624 898103

Coils UK

The lifting coil assembly appears to have been built by Coils UK of Ebbw Vale, UK near Cardiff. They have possibly built the whole kit. If you're building your own levitator, it may be possible to contact UK Coils and see if they can produce a few of the coils. They might be able to if they don't consider the work proprietary.

A report from the UK Business Park, Mergers & Acquisitions 2003 said "Coils UK, the Ebbw Vale-based manufacturer of electromagnetic devices with 60 staff, has undergone a £1m management buy-out, and will be renamed Electro Magnetic Technology." (Editor: Neither old or new company name was found in the Applegate Directory.)

An article from Electronics Weekly said "Coils UK offers a variety of coils, coil winders, and solenoids. They also design and manufacture coils to your specifications." Assuming they are still in business.

Coils UK
Unit 44 Rassau Industrial Estate
Ebbw Vale
Gwent
NP23  5SD
Ebbw Vale , Gwent
Tel: (01495) 304490
Fax: (01495) 304328

Wolfson Centre of Cardiff Univ

The Wolfson Centre has a relationship with Magnetic Suspensions Intl. This is probably where Dr. Shirazee studied while he was in Cardiff University.

Home page: www.cardiff.ac.uk/engin/research/wolfson

Wolfson Centre for Magnetics Technology
Cardiff School of Engineering
Cardiff University
PO Box 925
Cardiff
CF24 0YF
Tel: 029 20876729
Fax: 029 20876729
E-Mail: Prof. Anthony J. Moses, mosesaj@cf.ac.uk

Aussie Magnets

After the web site for Visual Levitation was removed, visitors were redirected to Aussie Magnets in Melbourne, Australia. However, their catalog has not carried the device for a couple years now.

Home page: www.aussiemagnets.com.au

Aussie Magnets
112 Fordham Avenue
Camberwell, Victoria 3124
Australia
Telephone: +61 (03) 9809-1100
Fax: +61 (03) 9809-1166
Email: sales@aussiemagnets.com.au

Floating Ideas

This company offers a magnetic levitation device based on patent application 20040052029, which in turn is based on Dr. Shirazee's patent. They offer the "IFO 3000" for about $100US. However it is not set up to support as much weight (max. 12 oz).

Floating Ideas is the gift manufacturing division for IFO, Ltd (Identified Flying Objects). They are British owned with a factory in Shenzhen, Southern China.

Home page: www.floatingideas.com but this domain vanished, so try this Floating Ideas Product page
See also: www.ifopop.com/creative/creative_levi.php

Here is the distributor:

Fascinations, Ltd
19224 Des Moines Way South, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98148
USA
Tel: 206-870-3000

JustinWood

Justin Wood has a broad line of small wood toys for the executive desk. One of these is the "Natural Millennium" levitating globe, which looks very much like the Visual Levitation device! The price is £165.00

Apparently this is one of many businesses (e-businesses) out of the Isle of Man due to its tax advantages.

Home page: justinwood.co.uk

Tel: 00044 ( 01624897800 )
Fax: 00044 ( 01624898103 )