Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
(OP)
Hi,
I have a system which has counterweight mechanism and a load connected via pulley(please see the attached document).
I can lift the load (up/down) manually however, I need to automate the lifting process.
It has a 40 kg counterweight and 40kg load.
The specifications are as follow:
- No modification to be made to the existing system. Only external add-ons to be used.
- Collision detection when the load hits something unexpected.
- About 1.50 meters max from bottom to top, and top to bottom lifting. It needs to be flexible from 0 - 1.50 meters. The more resolution is better.
- It will be used indoor
- It will be used 100 times per day.
1- Lead screw ( I want to avoid this if possible)
2- Linear actuator motor( http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-600mm-Linear-Actuato...)
I am not sure if this also has a linear lead screw arrangement
3- Magnetic linear motion. This will be ideal but the price can be too high.
4- How can I synch two linear motion systems together? Lasers? Sensors?
5- Chain driven design
So basically looking for a motor+lifting system that can do this and I can easily retrofit on to the load.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
I have a system which has counterweight mechanism and a load connected via pulley(please see the attached document).
I can lift the load (up/down) manually however, I need to automate the lifting process.
It has a 40 kg counterweight and 40kg load.
The specifications are as follow:
- No modification to be made to the existing system. Only external add-ons to be used.
- Collision detection when the load hits something unexpected.
- About 1.50 meters max from bottom to top, and top to bottom lifting. It needs to be flexible from 0 - 1.50 meters. The more resolution is better.
- It will be used indoor
- It will be used 100 times per day.
1- Lead screw ( I want to avoid this if possible)
2- Linear actuator motor( http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-600mm-Linear-Actuato...)
I am not sure if this also has a linear lead screw arrangement
3- Magnetic linear motion. This will be ideal but the price can be too high.
4- How can I synch two linear motion systems together? Lasers? Sensors?
5- Chain driven design
So basically looking for a motor+lifting system that can do this and I can easily retrofit on to the load.
Please let me know if you have any questions.





RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
Thank you for your replies.
I have added more information if it helps.
Regarding the garage doors openers. Yes it is pretty similar to that concept in fact.
I am struggling to find a supplier to provide these hardware(motor, chain and encoder).
Planning to use arduino yun(or similar) to control it as a prototype to start with.
RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
As tbuelna mentioned- if you provide a more detailed sketch and description of your system, you will get more helpful responses.
RE: Automated Linear motion in counterweight system
So you suggest to purchase a garage door opener and tweak it to your needs?
I edited the description of the main thread a few days ago. Please let me know if you need more detail.
Really appreciate your responses.