need help on devising a simple mechanism

[trigimon]

Hello all. I need help on creating a simple device that's why I joined this forum. I know electoral/mechanical engineers are the ones to ask. I'll get right to it. This device is has a digital timer where you can plug in the time up to the tenth of a second and it controls a mechanism that acts the same way a finger operates when you push down a button. I need this device to be able to push down on a button and release the button based upon the input of the timer device. I drew a crude drawing of what I am talking about. I'm very unsure of what components it would take to pull this off. My drawing is most likely missing some substantial pieces to it in order for me to get it to do what I want it to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

J

 

[desertfox]

Hi trigimon

Whats the application of this device?

 

[trigimon]

I guess it's not possible. It's for a game to win iPads and consumer electronics. It's requires precise timing for the pressing and release of a button on an xy coordinate plane

 

[kingnero]

How is this powered? mains, battery, compressed air?
How much force needs to be applied? What size are you talking?

Cannot you operate the button (that is to be pressed by the mechanical finger) directly using the timer?

 

[TheTick]

PLC + solenoid

 

[trigimon]

Thank you.

 

[DAVIDSTECKER]

McMaster-Carr has a nice selection of solenoids that should get you started.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#

 

[EnergyMix]

Hey Trigimon, Perhaps if you let us know your educational background, we'd be able to provide a bit more advice.

 

[byrdj]

Creating a simple device...This device is a digital timer where you can plug in the time up to the tenth of a second and it controls a mechanism that ...when you push down a button,... this device will push down on a (second) button and release that button based upon the input of the timer device.

I envision an one shot generator circuit. given the maximun "on" duration is only 0.1 seconds, the minimun duration would be the greatest concern as for getting a solenoid fast enough. Is it possible to bypass the "pushing the second button" to just contact closure (or even a solid state switch)

Having the time duration adjustable by a keypad and display increases the complexity. Is it possible to have adjustments (variable resistor) for setting the pulse duration and use a scope to measure

 

[flash3780]

That sounds like a neat project. If I'm understanding correctly, you want your electronic finger to push a button at rapid, regular, adjustable intervals? As has been said, a really fast solenoid, a solid state relay, and a controller is probably the way to go. To me, this sounds like an Arduino project. I found this one here:

http://wiki.bildr.org/index.php/Controlling_a_solenoid_(TIP120_Arduino)

I'm not one who should be giving electronics advice, but I'd be interested in seeing what you come up with. Please post back if you make something.