Using a motor to spin two discs in opposite directions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanical design of a system using a single motor to spin multiple discs in opposite directions, specifically for a vision show involving lasers. Participants explore various mechanical configurations, gear setups, and methods to achieve the desired rotational speeds and directions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using a single motor to turn a shaft with multiple discs, questioning how to achieve opposite rotations at the same speed.
  • Another suggests a simpler solution involving gears, where one gear turns another to create opposite rotations, allowing for adjustment of spin rates through gear ratios.
  • A participant describes a planetary gearbox design but notes its limitations in maintaining speed while changing direction.
  • Several participants recommend using bevel gears to achieve the desired configuration, detailing how to mount the discs and maintain their relative positions.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of a differential gear, suggesting that fixing the input shaft could allow for counter-rotation of output shafts.
  • Alternative methods discussed include using balls on disc surfaces or belt drives with crossed belts to reverse direction.
  • One participant expresses a preference for gears due to their durability and indicates that their problem has been resolved with the suggestions provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on the best mechanical approach to achieve the desired disc rotations. There is no consensus on a single solution, as various methods are proposed and discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific configurations and mechanisms without fully resolving the implications of their designs, such as the exact gear ratios needed or the durability of different materials used in construction.

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TL;DR
i want to use 1 motor to turn the shaft. lets say shaft turns clockvise, there is two discs on shaft. discs have to turn same speed reversed rotation. i drawed reverse clockwise motion. it is 1:5 slower than shaft. when i drawed other disc (rotates clockwise like motor) it turns speed of shaft so 5x speed.
Hi guys, i want to build small vision show i will use lasers. But stucked at the mechanics. i want to use 1 motor to turn the shaft. lets say shaft turns clockvise, there is two discs on shaft. discs have to turn same speed reversed rotation. i drawed reverse clockwise motion. it is 1:5 slower than shaft. when i drawed other disc (rotates clockwise like motor) it turns speed of shaft so 5x speed.

i will arrange this discs like clockwise, reversed clockwise, clockwise, reversed clockwise, .. 6-10 piece of discs.

My question is how can i do below disc to turn with same speed of reversed rotation disc?
Further question if you want to more helpful, Kindly i want to make this cost effective and durable am i going to right way?

Video of reversed; Top is reversed disc. below is not drawed.
 

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Welcome to PF.

Your solution seems overly complicated. If you just have the motor turn one gear that is in contact with another gear, the two gears will be spinning in opposite directions. And you can adjust the gear ratio of the two gears to set the relative spin rates.
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to PF.

Your solution seems overly complicated. If you just have the motor turn one gear that is in contact with another gear, the two gears will be spinning in opposite directions. And you can adjust the gear ratio of the two gears to set the relative spin rates.
Thank you, seems a nice forum thanks for supporting.

I guess I did as you said? I explained the mechanism in the picture below. The gear (red) connected to the shaft only turns the gear (yellow) that rotates on its own axis. I put 3 of these gears, it would have been one too. Then this gear turns the internal gear (blue). But since the internal gear has to have many teeth, it turns slower.

Ekran Alıntısı.webp
 
What you have designed is a planetary gearbox. They’re delightful for changing speeds, but not so much for changing directions while maintaining the same speed.

You will want to use a bevel gear setup, tbh. Have one disc mounted directly to the motor shaft, using a mounting bracket with an angled/bevel gear on it. Use 2 bevel gears as idlers between the discs, and mount them on a yoke or collar that carries a bearing, mounts to the platform, and holds the shaft steady. This also locks the idlers in relative position to the two discs and prevents them from drifting. Finally, mount the second disc on a bearing with an adapter to match the bevel gear found on the first disc. This should allow the discs to match speeds, but in opposite directions.

The other option would be rollers between the discs, also on a yoke or collar setup, again to keep them from moving around the drive axle.

I hope this makes sense.
 
Fundamentally a differential gear, but fix the input shaft solid to the chassis. When you drive one of the output shafts. The other side will counter-rotate.

A flat, or spur-gear differential, is optimised to be a flat sandwich with internal gears between the discs.

If you do not need to maintain an exact index between the discs, the gears can be replaced by balls that run on the disc surfaces, with the balls held in place by a thinner fixed plate, with holes drilled in it to house the balls.

There are also approximate belt drive possibilities, where one motor drives two belts, but one belt is crossed like figure of '8' to reverse direction. Rubber bands or 'o'-rings could also work.
 
Flyboy said:
You will want to use a bevel gear setup, tbh. Have one disc mounted directly to the motor shaft, using a mounting bracket with an angled/bevel gear on it. Use 2 bevel gears as idlers between the discs, and mount them on a yoke or collar that carries a bearing, mounts to the platform, and holds the shaft steady. This also locks the idlers in relative position to the two discs and prevents them from drifting. Finally, mount the second disc on a bearing with an adapter to match the bevel gear found on the first disc. This should allow the discs to match speeds, but in opposite directions.

The other option would be rollers between the discs, also on a yoke or collar setup, again to keep them from moving around the drive axle.

I hope this makes sense.
Thank you very much :)
 
Thank you, i will consider the options but gears more durable i think. My problem solved guys have nice many days :)
Baluncore said:
Fundamentally a differential gear, but fix the input shaft solid to the chassis. When you drive one of the output shafts. The other side will counter-rotate.

A flat, or spur-gear differential, is optimised to be a flat sandwich with internal gears between the discs.

If you do not need to maintain an exact index between the discs, the gears can be replaced by balls that run on the disc surfaces, with the balls held in place by a thinner fixed plate, with holes drilled in it to house the balls.

There are also approximate belt drive possibilities, where one motor drives two belts, but one belt is crossed like figure of '8' to reverse direction. Rubber bands or 'o'-rings could also work.
 

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