Modding Motorized pneumatic rams.

Well I have hit a wall. It seems that there is not enough space for conventional worm-geared motors for my LCD for porject ClearBlue, so I and going to give pneumatic rams a try. Anyone know where I can get them?

They need to be able to go out and back in with a motor. The motor has be be reversable with a current reverse. I may try to make my own but these have to be quite long...
/me goes to measure LCD
...let's just say 8.5" (twice the length of the LCD plus a little bit extra).

If anyone could help me out here I would appreciate it.

Also, what kind of prices am I looking at and can I find an online retailer (in the US).

Thanks,
-TX297

 

show us wot you want to do (pics)
have you had a look at servos like in rc cars they might do the job (ebay,google.both your friends)
i`m in uk so no help with prices

 

I/m loking for motorized pistons <--Though of that while drawing the picture below.

In case you're still wondering, here's some ASCII art, courtesy of the code tag:

Code:

                       _
                     (((  <-- "Hook" end (anything can go here)
                    ///
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               _///
             /^[u]\//\[/u]
            / /   /
           / /   /
          / /   /
         / /   /
        / /   /
       / /   /
      / /   /
     / /   /
    / /   /
    \/___/
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  ^   ^
Battery terminals - There is a motor inside that will make the piston
(that's the word I'm looking for!) go in and out.

I think I may need a 2-bit deal with some air tubes running to the pistons, though. Have one where it pressurizes it and then runs then to the pistons. They need to be as synchronized as possible, which means they'll need separate air chanbers, which is why I think the design above will work wuite well.

I may end up going to home depot and trying to make my own. You never know...

Still, any help would be greatly appreciated,
-TX297

 

how far do they need to extend?

 

I answered that in my first post - 8.5"

 

wrong thread i know but tx your pics are down for your mod in your sig

 

what you are looking for is a linear actuator. try looking in digi key or some hobby shops.

 

Try Mcmaster page 876. That might be a little like what you are looking for. Otherwise I would try solenoids.


Mouse

 

I know. I need to get them over to a new host but I'm too lazy. Methinks I should fix them around now.

 

I'm pretty sure what you are looking for is called a linear actuator. Normally it's not two leads but several because it's usually a stepper motor in conjunction with a piston type device. Unfortunately, they're pretty expensive and for one with a travel of 8.5+" it's going to cost you several hundred bucks. I'd say eBay would be your best bet if you wanted to go with these:

eBay: Linear Actuators

 

Hmm...

Could somebody please explain to me the concept behind a linear actuator and what they do, etc? This whole thing is new to me. I may just end up using a corkscrew-type device to do this (I might go to Home Depot tomorrow) as it will kind of fit in the space I want it to.

I fixed my project log, by the way.

Thanks,
-TX297

 

I need a mechanism to push up my lid on the case.


side view



http://www.mcmaster.com Page 894.


Will it screw up a bolt so it lifts the lid 12-15 cm?

Will this manage to lift 4 kg.. at a distance of 12 - 15 cm?

 

Unfortunately I don't know a lot about how to wire up a stepper motor. Although I'm pretty sure the basics involve sending pulses or "steps" to the motor. Each pulse will move the motor a specific amound depending on the motor. The reason for this is it makes for very accurate movement. Although in your case it probably doesn't need to be to the 0.002".
The linear actuator basically has one of these motors geared onto a rail. When the motor turns the rail moves in or out.

When looking for a linear actuator there will be details describing the max travel. This is essentially how much the rail will move. So if you need to move an LCD 8.5" then you need a linear actuator with a minimum of 8.5" of travel. Unfortunately a new linear actuator from that McMaster-Carr Catalog with that amount of travel will put you back a good $700-800. That's why I say use eBay if you want to go this route.

Of course, there are other options. You could go with an air cylinder which is basically a piston with a hole in one end. You attach a hose to the end and then to a compressor. When the compressor turns on it pushes out the piston. When the compressor turns off, the piston returns with a spring. These are cheaper but now you have to deal with an air compressor.

That's about all I know on the subject. I'm sure GoogleGoogle would yield a better resource than me.

 

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=329-300

This looks very good for what you're doing, it has controls, 10" excursion, and costs $80

 

thx, thats the cheapest one yet...
But how can I find the dimensions??

 

Well, using a precision measurement tool called an eyeball, i'd say it's around 14" long, 1.5" diameter, and the motor is 4" x 2"

 

205-050 Yes LCD 4" VIDEO MODULE $99.88
329-300 Yes LINEAR ACTUATOR $78.87
Subtotal: $178.75


From Parts express, ordering from UK...

Im feel lucky that I realised the post fee was 68$.. before I ordered
Is there a webshop in the uk that sells the same products?

 

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but you vould just use some small actuators

 

Still a fair bit cheaper than most linear actuators even with huge shipping fees.

 

If I just want the mechanism that hold the back door of a car open.. where can I get this (UK!!! and webshop)