sbrats
Mechanical
- Nov 27, 2005
- 47
I am looking to see if this is possible and that someone may be of some assistance.
I am currently working on a robotic concept that utilizes a hollow flex shaft drive - the flex shaft would be required to transmit a rotational motion (slow motion and only 360 degrees in total) plus a pull load while bent at 90 degrees. In my previous concept I utilized a thin aircraft cable to this - however there is a desire to now have this item as an 'hollow' object so that another feature can be passed down the middle.
Ideally the hollow shaft is around 2mm ID and external diameter of no more than 3.5/4.0 mm. I have utilized a disassembled bike brake cable and used the spiral wound 'flat metal' sheath - this works except the flexibility in bending (to go around a articulated joint) is to stiff. This in turn appears the same as the outer metal casing on a Speedo cable.
Can anyone suggest a supplier with capability to make something like this in prototype quantities, but in a thinner flat material (to increase the flexibility) The current material thickness is about .025" (.635mm) or suggest another type of construction to achieve the same type of result.
Regards..
Stephen
I am currently working on a robotic concept that utilizes a hollow flex shaft drive - the flex shaft would be required to transmit a rotational motion (slow motion and only 360 degrees in total) plus a pull load while bent at 90 degrees. In my previous concept I utilized a thin aircraft cable to this - however there is a desire to now have this item as an 'hollow' object so that another feature can be passed down the middle.
Ideally the hollow shaft is around 2mm ID and external diameter of no more than 3.5/4.0 mm. I have utilized a disassembled bike brake cable and used the spiral wound 'flat metal' sheath - this works except the flexibility in bending (to go around a articulated joint) is to stiff. This in turn appears the same as the outer metal casing on a Speedo cable.
Can anyone suggest a supplier with capability to make something like this in prototype quantities, but in a thinner flat material (to increase the flexibility) The current material thickness is about .025" (.635mm) or suggest another type of construction to achieve the same type of result.
Regards..
Stephen