A magnetizing system includes a guide channel (56) that is configured to receive a ferromagnetic element (32). A magnetic field source (48) of the system is operable to magnetize the ferromagnetic element (32). An actuation mechanism (46) drives the ferromagnetic element through the guide channel. Because a positioning mechanism of the system has aligned the guide channel with a slot of an electromagnetic machine component, the ferromagnetic element is routed through the channel and into the slot.