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Need help finding a linear motion solution (actuator, stepper, servo, etc) ANY help appreciated

S

Smitty094

Golden Member
I am working on a robotic project for one of my classes and I need to find a method for some sort of linear motion. Here are the constraints:

Length: we need around 4-5" of total travel
Cost: need the cost to be no more than $50. The cheaper the better.
Power: it should run on 3-6V DC preferably, if more we can deal with that

Some sort of kit or already assembled would be the best, but we can create the housing or tracks if necessary.

Speed is unimportant. Force is unimportant, since the arm that will be attached to it won't be more than a pound or so. Accuracy isn't a primary concern either. As far as weight is concerned, the lighter it is the better, but this isn't a primary concern.

Any help finding where we could purchase one of these would be greatly appreciated. We have been looking and looking and haven't been able to find much.

Thanks!
 
a stepper motor from an old 5.25" floppy drive?

shouldnt be too hard to find. i had one from a matsushita drive that was huge.
 
comp eng

I had seen suggested elsewhere that one of the old floppies might work. I'll have to see if I can find one around here. Does anyone have any experience with what sort of length of travel these would have?

I could certainly pick up a used one somewhere for practically next to nothing I would imagine.

Also, the floppy drive would have like tracks already built in with it so I'm thinking that that sounds like a really good solution.
 
Originally posted by: Smitty094
comp eng

I had seen suggested elsewhere that one of the old floppies might work. I'll have to see if I can find one around here. Does anyone have any experience with what sort of length of travel these would have?

I could certainly pick up a used one somewhere for practically next to nothing I would imagine.

Also, the floppy drive would have like tracks already built in with it so I'm thinking that that sounds like a really good solution.
Click to expand...

the one i have is like 2 cm

the track is longer but it can't move all the way b/c its blocked, you maybe able to get it move more through modification, but no more than 4-5 cm

you can still use the stepper and make your own track though
 
Originally posted by: dighn
Originally posted by: Smitty094
comp eng

I had seen suggested elsewhere that one of the old floppies might work. I'll have to see if I can find one around here. Does anyone have any experience with what sort of length of travel these would have?

I could certainly pick up a used one somewhere for practically next to nothing I would imagine.

Also, the floppy drive would have like tracks already built in with it so I'm thinking that that sounds like a really good solution.
Click to expand...

the one i have is like 2 cm

the track is longer but it can't move all the way b/c its blocked, you maybe able to get it move more through modification, but no more than 4-5 cm

you can still use the stepper and make your own track though
Click to expand...


how long is the threaded rod?

Thanks!
 
I have found one (about 1/2 way down) here that looks like it could work. My question is, could the threaded rod be replaced with a longer one? Like could I just screw the one on there out and purchase a 5" one and just screw that one in?

I can't see that it would make any difference that way, but I may be wrong.
 
it's not threaded. ~11cm. the head is is moved by this metal sheet track that's winded on the stepper (n/m about what i said before this edit. i wasn't thinking clearly)

it can only move about 4-5 cm
 
well, i'm trying to work on something like what you need, taken from many ideas, I've decided on one of the following, not sure whaich one though.

here's a really bad drawing

the one on the left is a servo motor rotating an arm pushing a pin in a slot. so the rototor movement translates into linear.

the right one shows a motor with threaded rod. the nut is attached to whatever you wanna move, so by turning the rod, the nut moves linearly.

hope that helps, sorry about the horrible drawings.
 
I got a couple listings. But first, have you thought about / can you use something like a pneumatic inear actuator? With pneumatics, you only need a little power to move the valves ... really helps the power budget. Hydraulics too I s'pose.... same deal cheaper (power-wise) to run a small hydraulic pump that massive pulses or rack & pinion linear systems.

Whatever ... here's come links to places that carry linear actuators of all types:

www.rockwellautomation.com
www.smi4motion.com
www.servosystems.com
www.linearindustries.com
www.kerkmotion.com

Good Luck

Scott
 
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