The　effects　of　melt-spinning　equipments　on　the　surface　quality,　microstructure　and　magnetic　properties　of　Nd-2(Fe,ZrCo)(14)B/alpha-Fe　magnets　have　been　studied.　The　ribbons　prepared　by　the　induction-melt　spurt-spinning　equipment　have　smooth　surfaces　and　uniform　thickness.　However,　the　ribbons　prepared　by　the　arc-melt　overflow-spinning　equipment　have　rough　surfaces　and　inhomogeneous　thickness,　which　makes　the　cooling　rate　nonuniform　through　the　thickness　of　ribbons　and　causes　the　occurrence　of　coarse　grains.　The　ribbons　prepared　by　induction-melt　spurt-spinning　equipment　show　better　magnetic　properties　than　the　ribbons　prepared　by　arc-melt　overflow-spinning　equipment,　even　using　the　same　alloy　composition.　By　properly　increasing　the　Zr　content,　the　glass　forming　ability　of　alloy　is　improved,　which　can　lessen　the　detrimental　effect　of　cooling　rate　fluctuation,　thus　enhancing　the　magnetic　properties　of　ribbons　prepared　by　the　arc-melt　overflow-spinning　equipment.　(C)　2009　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.