Help with mechanism choice please

  • Thread starter Thread starter Parzibal
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Choice Mechanism
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting an appropriate mechanism for a project requiring a small, lightweight, fast, electric actuator capable of producing a downward force of approximately 15 lbs over a travel distance of about 1.5 cm. The conversation explores various actuator types and their specifications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses the need for a small, lightweight, fast electric actuator that can produce a downward force of about 15 lbs, noting that existing options like electric door lock actuators are insufficient.
  • Another participant suggests a rotary motor powering a screw drive as a potential solution, questioning how to calculate the travel time for a motor/screw combination to cover 1 cm.
  • A third participant recommends exploring industrial surplus stores for electric motors and linear actuators, providing specific websites for further research.
  • A later reply indicates that the original poster found a solenoid to be the suitable mechanism for their needs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best mechanism initially, but the discussion evolves with the original poster identifying a solenoid as a solution, suggesting some agreement on its suitability.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes varying assumptions about the required specifications and performance of the mechanisms, as well as the original poster's self-identified lack of engineering expertise, which may influence the proposed solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in small-scale electric actuators, hobbyists working on mechanical projects, and those exploring surplus industrial components may find this discussion beneficial.

Parzibal
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello, I hope you super-geniuses will please take a moment to point a layman in the right direction. If I can get past this sticking point I can complete the rest of this project myself.

I need something small (tennis ball sized or smaller, smaller is better), lightweight, fast, electric, and capable of producing downward force of about 15 lbs, more force is better. The travel distance need only be about 1.5cm. An actuator for an electric door lock for vehicles is close (and cheap,$5) but lacks the force (it produces 10 lbs) and does not seem robust enough.

The force does not necessarily need to go straight down, a small rotary motor with an arm that rotated would work, but I'm guessing the torque on a small motor would not be capable of producing significant force.

I really have no idea even what is available, any input is greatly appreciated, TIA.
 
Last edited:
Engineering news on Phys.org
...another method might be a rotary motor powering a screw drive. The response needs to be fast tho, perhaps 1/8 sec. My travel distance of 1.5cm was on the long side, I may be able to get away with as little as 1cm. Is there a way to calculate how long it would take for a motor/screw combination to travel 1cm? Again I'm not an engineer but my instinct is that this method would also produce more force.
 
Thanx for the response. I stumbled around on my own & found that a solenoid is exactly what I was looking for.
 

Similar threads

How to calculate how much energy a pneumatic system would need?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Is a Larger DC Motor Needed for Low Wind Speed Power Generation?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
Non magnetic linear displacement system for moving a Hall Sensor
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Misc. Yarn winder: convert the existing chain drive to more robust mechanism
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Finding a Suitable Rotary Actuator for Wheelchair Ramp
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
My weird geneva mechanism doesn't work. Looking for suggestions
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Help with Picking a DC motor for Electric Handcart
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Optimizing Precision in Stepper Motor Driven Gear Systems
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Mechanical Advantage for an Ebike Trailer
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Making Energy Generating Gym Equipment
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K