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Recommendations needed for inexpensive linear motion 2

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NDVermin

NDVermin

Mechanical
Joined
Sep 17, 2017
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DB_ljaw0v.jpg


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
 
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And, if we're going to play that game, ;-) the same motors appear to be available directly from China for $0.12 each:

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! faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list
 
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damn - you guys are great - every time I get a chance to come back here and check you've provided more options and good ideas - thank you!
 
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Hi NDVermin.
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 -
 
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Those motors have about 4mm travel. If the lead nut is cut out there's still only about 7mm of thread to work with. There are others that have longer reaches. I wonder what the original use is.

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.
 
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Even worse, I bought the ones from Amazon at $0.16/ea, since they should get here faster than the usual slow boat method.

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! faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list
 
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Oh, wow, those things are TEEEENY, which I knew, intellectually...

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.

20170922_171510_ydvjpu.jpg


TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list
 
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Wow. How do you make something that small, much less for pennies! That is SO tiny! OP did mention 5" stroke, although no mention of why. Looks like these would work for a 1/25 scale model... About 5mm stroke, right?

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)
 
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IRstuff - you need to hang around the model train section of the hobby shop. 2-56 is giant compared to what's common there.
 
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I skipped right to the bottom, so please excuse me if this has been suggested. Can you use inductance coils and magnets to electronically actuate each block? I'm thinking to pound a nail in each one, wrap it inside a coil of wire and then use a kwyboard to actuate each. A fine 7th grade science project!
 
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