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X Positioner — Parallax Forums

X Positioner

starionstarion Posts: 27
edited 2010-01-25 03:56 in Robotics
Hey folks, been away from the forums for quite some time and have a new project I am working on.

I'm looking for an X only positioner pre-built with a motor. I can create the driver circuitry and programming. So far what I've found after spending 2 hours on the internet is a lot of stuff that seems overpriced or overkill.

I am only needing to move a load of less than 1 pound about 30-40" up and down, but it has to be "somewhat" precise and repeatable. I'm thinking something along the lines of a printhead carriage. If it weren't for the length I need, I could probably cobble up something from an old dot-matrix printer, but ultimately this may wind up being a commercial solution, so that would only really be good for a prototype.

There has to be something simpler out there. Anybody have any suggestions of places to look? My eyeballs are falling out searching Google.

Jeff

Comments

  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2010-01-24 18:26
    If I'm understanding right it sounds like something that could be easily made, even I could do it. Do you have anyone in your area that works with metal or plastic that could build one for you?

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    PG
  • skynuggetskynugget Posts: 172
    edited 2010-01-24 18:29
    how about a cheap garage door opener?
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2010-01-24 21:32
    What precision, what price range?

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    - Stephen
  • starionstarion Posts: 27
    edited 2010-01-25 00:19
    Some answers to questions above:

    Garage door opener - too big. Entire thing must fit inside a cabinet that is 20.5" by 40", 11" deep. Interesting thought though.

    Precision, price-range: Well, it won't sound too technical, but I need to be able to select from 60 items that are spaced at 1/4" intervals, so not real precision. Price range, well as cheap as possible of course. $700 is too much. I'm thinking should be somewhere around $250 cost.

    One thing I re-discovered last night was a company called 80/20 (8020.net). I have known about them for a number of years but didn't realize that I could probably construct a slide with their products, add a stepper motor, pulley and belt drive, and a homing sensor. All for a pretty reasonable price.

    It's just that I'm not nearly mechanical as I am electronics and software, and the thought of constructing this intimidated me a bit until I started to dig deeper.

    If I decide to go the 8020 route, I will post some pictures of what I come up with. Or not, if someone else comes up with a compelling alternative. turn.gif

    Yes, I have a friend here locally that has a machine shop. I'm feeling brave. I may attempt this first before enlisting his help.

    Jeff
  • skynuggetskynugget Posts: 172
    edited 2010-01-25 00:41
    you mean up and down vertically? how about a mini elevator using roller skate bearings and angle iron pulley on the top, and a stepper motor winding the cable you could use weights to make it really fluid. i think that may be the most precise set up, with the least amount of machining.
  • starionstarion Posts: 27
    edited 2010-01-25 00:52
    Hmm. Okay, I'll bite. Where's a good place to find bearings and a pulley? I could probably prototype that pretty quickly.
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2010-01-25 02:05
    I get bearings and pulleys at my local hardware store,

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    - Stephen
  • starionstarion Posts: 27
    edited 2010-01-25 03:46
    Really? Doesn't seem like the kind of thing Lowe's or Home Depot would carry. Or maybe I just haven't been looking. Maybe more of a Westlake/True Value thing.
  • skynuggetskynugget Posts: 172
    edited 2010-01-25 03:50
    you can get the bearings at an sporting goods store, they are meant for skate boards and roller blades. as for home depot, i cant confirm, ive always had spare ones laying around from my hockey skates. 20 bucks for a pack of 16
  • starionstarion Posts: 27
    edited 2010-01-25 03:53
    I'm just now starting to get into the mindset about looking at things as potential robotics parts...
  • skynuggetskynugget Posts: 172
    edited 2010-01-25 03:56
    lol, save every broken printer you come across.
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