Fully dense Neodymium Iron Boron Magnets "neo magnets & rare earth magnets" are usually manufactured by a powdered metallurgical process. Micron size Neodymium and iron boron powder is produced in an inert gas atmosphere and then compacted in a rigid steel mold or in a rubber mold. The rubber mold is compacted on all sides by fluid and it is referred to as isostatic pressing. The steel molds will produce shapes similar to the final product, while the rubber mold will only create large blocks (loaves) of Neodymium iron boron "commonly known as neo or rare earth" magnet alloy. The Neodymium iron boron alloys magnetic performance in both compacting methods is optimized by applying a magnetic field before or during the pressing operation. This applied field imparts a preferred direction of magnetization, or orientation to the Neodymium Iron Boron Magnet alloy. The alignment of particles results in an anisotropic alloy and vastly improves the residual induction (Br) and other magnetic characteristics of the finished rare earth magnet named Neodymium Iron Boron magnet which is also called "neo magnet". After pressing, the neo "Neodymium Iron Boron" magnets are sintered and heat treated until they reach their fully dense condition. The die pressed neo / rare earth magnets are ground to the final dimensions, but the brick magnets from the rubber mold method are usually squared on large grinders and then sliced to the final geometry. Isostaticly pressed alloy has higher magnetic properties than the die pressed material, but it may lack the uniformity. The choice of Neodymium iron boron "rare earth / neo" magnet manufacturing method is usually application driven and is typically not a concern of the customer.