What kind of motor can move in several dimensions?

[bdr16]

I need a part for a project I'm working on, and I can't remember what it's called. Its an electric device that has a rod coming out on one side, and what it does is to pivot the rod in any direction (left, right, front, back). What is this thing called?

 

[CastMetal]

Sounds like a 2-degrees of freedom spherical servo motor.

 

[asimpson]

Sounds like a robot wrist.

http://www.google.ie/images?q=Robot...de_link&ct=mode&ved=0CA4Q_AU&biw=1680&bih=777

 

[bdr16]

Thanks! The 2 DoF spherical servo motor is exactly what I was thinking of, actually. I am having some trouble finding them online, or even a guide on building one. Can you help further?

 

[bdr16]

UPDATE: neither hitec nor futaba has a spherical servo. Does anyone know how to make one?

 

[IRstuff]

A pan and tilt?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[aafuni]

Does it need to be one unit? It sounds like you are just looking for a servo with a U joint or something similar on the output.

 

[CastMetal]

IRstuff wins

 

[aafuni]

Since you mentioned futaba, I assume you are looking small scale:

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12875

 

[bdr16]

Yeah, i'm looking for small scale, and a spherical servo is precisely what I was thinking about. I suppose I could make "a servo attatched to another servo" work but I would honestly rather use a spherical one.

Who knows where I can find, or atleast how to build, a spherical servo?

 

[GregLocock]

Look on a helicopter

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[IRstuff]

Almost all similar things I've seen are custom-built.

X-10 usually has their pan/tilt on sale, if you're sufficiently patient. If not, there's what appears to be a refurbished unit for $30:

http://www.x10.com/promotions/vk75a_ed_29_sd_robo.html

It comes with a video camera, which you can ditch or use for something else.

A brand new P/T system by itself runs for about $100:

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_vk74a.htm

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[asimpson]

yaw and tilt axis

http://www.google.ie/images?um=1&hl...:1&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&gs_rfai=&q=yaw and tilt axis

 

[Clyde38]

FYI. .
See attachment. .



[link

http://www.linkedin.com/in/clydehancock

]

[/url]

 

[bdr16]

Thanks guys, it looks like I'm gonna have to teach myself a lot more electromagnetism. In the interim I suppose I'll have to deal with using normal servos.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[IRstuff]

There are integrated 2-axis servos, but they're generally limited in angle travel. I can't find the relevant patent, but it basically requires either a "super-ball" spherical bearing, or a spherical air bearing as a start. Coils and magnets are arranged on a spherical radius. Angle travel is generally not more than 20° to 30°.

If you have time to kill, look for "rosette scanner" similar to what goes into a Stinger seeker.

TTFN

FAQ731-376