Magnetic actuator for a shutter mechanism

A magnetic yoke and armature actuator assembly for controlling a shutter mechanism of a camera and the like is provided. The yoke is formed to provide two integral magnetic pole portions of high magnetic permeability. The yoke can be designed for operative connection with a permanent magnet, for instance, by inserting a permanent magnet into a slot in either the yoke or the armature. The armature can be spring biased away from the pole portions of the yoke. The strength of the spring will be designed to be less than that of the magnetic flux created by the permanent magnet so that the armature will be held against the pole pieces during normal operation. The yoke can have a coil wound about one pole portion whereby an electric current flowing through the coil will neutralize the magnetic force of the permenent magnet thereby releasing the armature. The contact faces of the pole portions can be accurately machined in a mass production assembly line.