Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
(OP)

Hi Folks,
I'm pretty rusty when it comes to engineering and design having not worked directly in the area for awhile. I'm hoping someone may have some good suggestions for me. I'm trying to design a 20 x 20 matrix of columns which can be individually raised and lowered (only about 5" max) in any pattern desired. I'm at a loss to come up with an economical way to build something that allows individual movements of 400 columns. I've certainly considered linear actuators, but they are very expensive (especially x400). Would anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Scott





RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Pneumatic is pretty cheap.
I could see turning the blocks into the pistons in square bores too, depending on the forces/time etc.
Need a lot more details as they will/will-not allow various techniques.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-DC-3-5V-2-Phase-4-Wir...
that's ~$0.70 each for the actuator, and probably roughly the same for a 2-phase driver circuit
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Push the blocks up with a coil spring.
Pull them down with a string wound on a a micro stepper "winch".
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50pcs-2-phase-4-wi...
That means the entire 400 motors could be had for $47.60! But, the drivers aren't going to be in the same boat, although you could use switching matrix to multiplex a single driver across the array.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Pneumatics is not the solution for you. That's why I asked just UP? DOWN? or in between? You can, of course use pneumatics for in-between but it more than triples the cost since you need special valves and scales and etc., etc.
The Bag-O-Steppers Mint showed you is probably the best type solution. Yes, the controls are a bit involved and will cost considerably more than those cheap steppers. Your wish for them all to move at once considerably increases the cost of the electronics, I'd say by about a factor of... a hundred (100).
The height resolution desired will also greatly affect the cost of the solution.
Can you describe what this will be used for? It would help us, help you, determine the best solution.
We still have no idea what:
1) Forces will be involved.
2) What environment this will be in. Under water? Outdoors? Clean room?
3) What speed the blocks need to move at.
4) What ambient temperature.
5) Speed of motion.
6) Desired control input. List? Dynamic? Surface profile?
7) What power is available.
8) Position resolution
9) Actual block dimensions.
10) Block material
11)
12)
13)
20) Special considerations; sterilizable?, hazardous atmosphere? Portability?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Thankfully the credit card is out of easy reach or I would be tempted to order up a ton of junk that is such a good deal for which I have no use.
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Nevertheless, the sheer audacity of a motor + lead screw + assembly + handling + postage at $0.16/ea is mind boggling. Even assuming that everything is automated, that implies massive manufacturing. Makes you wonder what the actual intended use is.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
They look like they might be used as an actuator in a microUAV. The mounting holes look too big for 2/56 screws, which are the smallest that I know the nomenclature for. Coincidently, one of my hardcopy-only journals was lying around.
However, if the OP can get them to work, they'd look ideal for a reasonable size for his project.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Seems possible to attach a longer lead screw to the existing one.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
An X-Y array of "Solinoid Coils. All Rows connected to a"Sinking" transistor and all Columns connected to "Sourcing Transistors." One column and one row "On" addresses one coil. The rows and columns can be "Raster Scanned."
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
je suis charlie
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion
RE: Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion