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Torque meter idea needed — Parallax Forums

Torque meter idea needed

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-08-21 19:46 in General Discussion
Does anyone have a simple way to measure the amount of torque needed to
turn an object. In this case the takeup reel on a camera.

I'm working on a project that will use a BS2 to spin two steppers, but I
need to know how much torque is needed.

David

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-21 17:17
    In a message dated 8/21/2003 12:10:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    David@C... writes:


    > Does anyone have a simple way to measure the amount of torque needed to
    > turn an object. In this case the takeup reel on a camera.
    >
    > I'm working on a project that will use a BS2 to spin two steppers, but I
    > need to know how much torque is needed.
    >

    I mechanical tool called a torque wrench is available. I don't know what
    ranges the come in. Another do-it yourself way is to attach an 1-inch arm to
    the
    shaft of the reel. At the end of the 1-inch shaft suspend a weight beginning
    with about 1 ounce, and see how much weight it take to start turning the
    reel. The point at which it starts to trun is the "holding torque".
    If you can determine the oz/inch torque, you can convert it to gms/cm, which
    is the way most steppers are labeled.
    Sid Weaver
    W4EKQ
    Port Richey, FL


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-21 17:34
    In a message dated 8/21/2003 9:10:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
    David@C... writes:
    Does anyone have a simple way to measure the amount of torque needed to
    turn an object. In this case the takeup reel on a camera.

    I'm working on a project that will use a BS2 to spin two steppers, but I
    need to know how much torque is needed.

    David
    David,

    You use a "beam" type torque wrench. the link shown is overkill but you will
    get the idea.

    http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_Tools-All-Craftsman_Beam_Torque_Wrench_44642
    #

    Or, you can device your own.....

    If an arm that is 1 foot long is connected to the center of the rotating
    device, and at the end of the arm is a 1 pound weight, and the device will just
    start to turn, then you have 1 foot pound. This would be with the arm's starting

    position parallel to the ground. Any other position would require a cosine
    factor to be involved....you can probably get a rough idea using a 6 inch arm
    and some fishing weights...as in....

    ....there are derivatives to this, as in inch/ounces. That is an arm so many
    inches long with so many ounces on the end of it.....


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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-21 17:34
    In a message dated 8/21/2003 9:21:40 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Newzed@a...
    writes:
    I mechanical tool called a torque wrench is available. I don't know what
    ranges the come in. Another do-it yourself way is to attach an 1-inch arm to
    the
    shaft of the reel. At the end of the 1-inch shaft suspend a weight beginning
    with about 1 ounce, and see how much weight it take to start turning the
    reel. The point at which it starts to trun is the "holding torque".
    If you can determine the oz/inch torque, you can convert it to gms/cm, which
    is the way most steppers are labeled.
    Sid Weaver
    W4EKQ
    Port Richey, FL
    YEP!!!


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-21 19:32
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, David Clarke <David@C...> wrote:
    > Does anyone have a simple way to measure the amount of torque
    needed to
    > turn an object. In this case the takeup reel on a camera.
    >
    > I'm working on a project that will use a BS2 to spin two steppers,
    but I
    > need to know how much torque is needed.
    >
    > David

    Hi David,

    Stepper motors are rated in ounce/inches.

    the idea of a lever with weight is a simple method, just use one inch
    and not one foot.

    and the arm must be level to the earth, not on an angle.

    hang a cup and drop water in the cup until you get movement.
    weight the cup. postal scale ?

    re-test with weights.

    also, if you expect to use some type of gearing or screws or
    something, allow for friction losses. I would considder 4 times you
    weight as good as gearing could have 70% losses due to friction, and
    at 4 times, you should be way under powered for causing damage.

    Dave
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-21 19:46
    You could hook an arm to a pot, and measure how far the arm moves by the
    pots resistance. Use a spring or rubber band to counteract the torque needed
    to pull the arm down.
    0 ohms would be contracted spring. When the torque moves the arm lower, a
    higher resistance would be a higher ohm reading. The spring of course than
    pulls the arm back to zero with a lower torque.
    -kerry



    At 06:32 PM 8/21/03 -0000, you wrote:
    >--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, David Clarke <David@C...> wrote:
    >> Does anyone have a simple way to measure the amount of torque
    >needed to
    >> turn an object. In this case the takeup reel on a camera.
    >>
    >> I'm working on a project that will use a BS2 to spin two steppers,
    >but I
    >> need to know how much torque is needed.
    >>
    >> David
    >
    >Hi David,
    >
    >Stepper motors are rated in ounce/inches.
    >
    >the idea of a lever with weight is a simple method, just use one inch
    >and not one foot.
    >
    >and the arm must be level to the earth, not on an angle.
    >
    >hang a cup and drop water in the cup until you get movement.
    >weight the cup. postal scale ?
    >
    >re-test with weights.
    >
    >also, if you expect to use some type of gearing or screws or
    >something, allow for friction losses. I would considder 4 times you
    >weight as good as gearing could have 70% losses due to friction, and
    >at 4 times, you should be way under powered for causing damage.
    >
    >Dave
    >
    >
    >
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