The Z Axis, Linear Actuators, And The Balancing Act
idbruce
Posts: 6,197
Hello Everyone
I know I am jumping the gun a bit with this post, but I am very excited, and I just feel the need to share this information with the people that still like me
As has been mentioned in several other threads, I have been working on designing and developing inexpensive linear actuators for the last several years, and just about an hour ago, I perfected my latest design. I must say this actuator is sooooooooooo verrrrrry smooooooth and tight. Since this actuator was specifically designed for my CNC PCB drilling machine, and since it is for the Z axis, it only has about 1-1/8 inch of travel, but very very impressive nonetheless, and of course this basic design can be used for actuators having a much larger travel distance. As my final test for the evening, I tried balancing a top heavy 10-32 screw on the actuator arm, and repeated the up and down motion 10 times as quickly as the software would allow me (I would guess 8 seconds for the loop, I have not timed it yet), and the screw did not even jiggle the least bit. I have another driver that I wrote, which I am sure will make it faster, but I will have to review it, because I forgot how to use it
Anyhow, my next set of goals will be to set up a youtube account, take photographs, and make a video of my latest creation. I don't have a video camera, so I will have to work hard on that aspect, but I need the camera for my other equipment as well. I am not claiming that I will be able to do this, but I am going to attempt to balance a quarter on the actuator arm, after I set up a very level surface. Whatever the case, I am sure you folks will be impressed with the overall look and and functionality of the actuator.
So be prepared for photos and video over the next several days, however, please don't ask me how it is made, I may still file a patent before offering them for sale. On the other hand, if folks are interested, I may be persuaded to start producing and forego the patenting process.
Bruce
EDIT: It appears that I may have exaggerated a bit. Before going to sleep, I had to see it run one more time, but this time I did a head count of the time it took for execution, and it actually took about 20 seconds for the entire loop, which equates to approximately 1-1/8 inches of travel per second, but there are also twenty 20 ramp ups, 20 ramp downs, and 20 direction changes in that approximate 20 second period.
I know I am jumping the gun a bit with this post, but I am very excited, and I just feel the need to share this information with the people that still like me
As has been mentioned in several other threads, I have been working on designing and developing inexpensive linear actuators for the last several years, and just about an hour ago, I perfected my latest design. I must say this actuator is sooooooooooo verrrrrry smooooooth and tight. Since this actuator was specifically designed for my CNC PCB drilling machine, and since it is for the Z axis, it only has about 1-1/8 inch of travel, but very very impressive nonetheless, and of course this basic design can be used for actuators having a much larger travel distance. As my final test for the evening, I tried balancing a top heavy 10-32 screw on the actuator arm, and repeated the up and down motion 10 times as quickly as the software would allow me (I would guess 8 seconds for the loop, I have not timed it yet), and the screw did not even jiggle the least bit. I have another driver that I wrote, which I am sure will make it faster, but I will have to review it, because I forgot how to use it
Anyhow, my next set of goals will be to set up a youtube account, take photographs, and make a video of my latest creation. I don't have a video camera, so I will have to work hard on that aspect, but I need the camera for my other equipment as well. I am not claiming that I will be able to do this, but I am going to attempt to balance a quarter on the actuator arm, after I set up a very level surface. Whatever the case, I am sure you folks will be impressed with the overall look and and functionality of the actuator.
So be prepared for photos and video over the next several days, however, please don't ask me how it is made, I may still file a patent before offering them for sale. On the other hand, if folks are interested, I may be persuaded to start producing and forego the patenting process.
Bruce
EDIT: It appears that I may have exaggerated a bit. Before going to sleep, I had to see it run one more time, but this time I did a head count of the time it took for execution, and it actually took about 20 seconds for the entire loop, which equates to approximately 1-1/8 inches of travel per second, but there are also twenty 20 ramp ups, 20 ramp downs, and 20 direction changes in that approximate 20 second period.
Comments
I've discovered that my iPhone is capable of doing vids that turn out fairly well on YouTube. Of course, a dedicated camera would probably do better, but it's just a thought.sm
Please don't openly post your invention on the forum...... keep it out of plain view behind some kind of link that I will not go to I too am working on CNC equipment, and I'd hate to be called out for ripping you off in case there are similarities in design.
Cheers,
Peter (pjv)
There you have it, I will not post photos as you requested, because in my opinion, the "Spin Group" has unofficially taken over the forum.
Bruce
Until I decide what to do, perhaps it would be very prudent of me not to post any information. However:
I doubt you would have anything to worry about, because you always suggest expensive ball screws and such
Cheers
Bruce
Bruce,
and while you're at it, please keep your ideas about your neuro-nebulizing quarkificative ercocizer to yourself.
btw what us the "spin group"???