Device for aligning magnetic or magnetizable particles and machine for generating optically variable image elements

Magnetic or magnetizable particles contained in a coating agent can be aligned using a device that includes a cylinder having a plurality of magnetic elements around its outer circumference. The magnetic elements are arranged in a matrix having columns extending in the circumferential direction and rows extending in an axially parallel manner. The magnetic elements in some columns are mounted as a group on a shared carrier element, and have a variable axial position collectively as a group and independently of the magnetic elements of an adjoining column. In these columns, at least one of the magnetic elements is arranged on the carrier element of a multi-piece cylinder body of the cylinder so as to be adjustable in the axial direction, by way of a mechanical adjusting means, and independently of at least one further magnetic element of the same column which is mounted on the same carrier element.