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Need help finding small ball and socket joints... — Parallax Forums

Need help finding small ball and socket joints...

denodeno Posts: 242
edited 2005-09-25 22:33 in Robotics
Hello fellow bot'ers...I have been all around the web and cannot find a small "ball and socket" joint.· Something with a total "inline" length of about 1 to 2 inches long.· One end needs to be threaded, female, and the other end could be the same, but it would be better if the opposite end of the threaded female end would be some sort of mounting flange.

The ball joint itself could be any size from 1/2 inch diameter to 1 inch·diameter.· The max angle doesn't need to be over 20 degrees.

If you have a source, please email me at:···denogail@jackpine.com.

Thank you

deno
·

Comments

  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2005-09-25 02:50
    deno -

    Take a look at the Tower Hobbies web site:
    http://www.towerhobbies.com/

    Search for "ball socket" and you should find some fittings.

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates
  • denodeno Posts: 242
    edited 2005-09-25 03:23
    Bruce...thanks for the quick reply. I went to the above web site and checked it out. The ball and socket joints are a little small for what I am looking for. Also the thread size is to small and they appear to be the type that are at right angles.

    Any other suggestions?

    Thanks Deno
  • jpylejpyle Posts: 41
    edited 2005-09-25 05:36
    Try McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/ and look at rod ends and linkages, also look at Small Parts Co. http://www.smallparts.com/ I think that they will also carry rod ends that you are looking for. Good hunting---John
  • Bruce BatesBruce Bates Posts: 3,045
    edited 2005-09-25 05:46
    Deno -

    Do you need that 20 degrees of flexibility through a range of 360 degrees or something less than that? In other words (by way of example) does the "joystick" have an infinite number of gates, or would 2, 4, 8, or 16 be enough? ( | , --- , X, *, etc). If you DO need a joystick mechanism, please say so, as that's a good deal easier to find.

    How much weight (if any) will this joint be expected to support?

    Regards,

    Bruce Bates
  • bobledouxbobledoux Posts: 187
    edited 2005-09-25 22:33
    Rod end bearings are widely used in aviation. The Heim uniball give significant angular play in the ball. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty (aircraftspruce.com) has the Heim HM-3 unit for $6.40 each. These are rated for a maximum radial load of 910 pounds. The shaft is 10-32 thread and the ball is reamed to .1900 diameter for a 3/16 (AN-3) diameter aircraft bolt.

    The company offers a free catalog and provides a good website.

    Post Edited (bobledoux) : 9/26/2005 1:04:06 PM GMT
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