Miniature solenoid (or force instrument) ideas

[Awake]

Hi there. Well I'm back at it again dreaming up another idea! This time the design calls for miniature force producing components, hundreds of them. I need to choose a component that is compact, inexpensive, and switchable. It needs to produce a force of 4 ounces across a 3/4" distance, on demand. The closest thing I have in mind is the pin actuator on dot matrix printers.

Some ideas I have had so far:

2 opposing miniature electro-magnetic coils (where to procure?)
thermal spring plates (where to procure?)
mechanically actuated rare-earth magnets

All ideas are appreciated, I am in the information gathering phase.

Merry Christmas

-Dave

 

[MikeHalloran]

Have a look at automobile door lock actuator motors.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA