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What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

(OP)
I need a part for a project I'm working on, and I can't remember what it's called. Its an electric device that has a rod coming out on one side, and what it does is to pivot the rod in any direction (left, right, front, back). What is this thing called?

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

Sounds like a 2-degrees of freedom spherical servo motor.

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

(OP)
Thanks! The 2 DoF spherical servo motor is exactly what I was thinking of, actually. I am having some trouble finding them online, or even a guide on building one. Can you help further?

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

(OP)
UPDATE: neither hitec nor futaba has a spherical servo. Does anyone know how to make one?  

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

Does it need to be one unit?  It sounds like you are just looking for a servo with a U joint or something similar on the output.

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

IRstuff wins

 

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

(OP)
Yeah, i'm looking for small scale, and a spherical servo is precisely what I was thinking about. I suppose I could make "a servo attatched to another servo" work but I would honestly rather use a spherical one.

Who knows where I can find, or atleast how to build, a spherical servo?

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

Almost all similar things I've seen are custom-built.

X-10 usually has their pan/tilt on sale, if you're sufficiently patient.  If not, there's what appears to be a refurbished unit for $30: http://www.x10.com/promotions/vk75a_ed_29_sd_robo.html

It comes with a video camera, which you can ditch or use for something else.

A brand new P/T system by itself runs for about $100: http://www.x10.com/products/x10_vk74a.htm

TTFN

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RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

(OP)
Thanks guys, it looks like I'm gonna have to teach myself a lot more electromagnetism. In the interim I suppose I'll have to deal with using normal servos.

Thanks for all your help!

RE: What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

There are integrated 2-axis servos, but they're generally limited in angle travel.  I can't find the relevant patent, but it basically requires either a "super-ball" spherical bearing, or a spherical air bearing as a start.  Coils and magnets are arranged on a spherical radius.  Angle travel is generally not more than 20° to 30°.

If you have time to kill, look for "rosette scanner" similar to what goes into a Stinger seeker.

TTFN

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