Thread: Small linear actuators

Rather than a worm gear, have you considered a captured nut with threaded rod through it? Connect the threaded rod to the motor via a piece of silicon tubing over the motor shaft and rod. The captured nut can be attached to the vertical side of the PS one case or, if possible in the center of the back of the base.

As long as you have it track smoothly, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to use limit switches to operate the motor.

Take a look at the slide mechanism of a cd-rom drive.

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Rather than a worm gear, have you considered a captured nut with threaded rod through it? Connect the threaded rod to the motor via a piece of silicon tubing over the motor shaft and rod. The captured nut can be attached to the vertical side of the PS one case or, if possible in the center of the back of the base.

As long as you have it track smoothly, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to use limit switches to operate the motor.

my workup works along that principal finding a motor in that case with enough torque and operating at 12v was my reason for not going that route.

Originally Posted by treetop777

Take a look at the slide mechanism of a cd-rom drive.

for the slides yes it will work for the motor power to lift it... it is not strong enough even with an old cdrom drive...

I'm hoping actuators will be easier im getting a bit discouraged and am looking for the easierst solution at this point

What you want is called a mini actuator from Select Products. They were bought out by AMP of America but they should still carry it.

http://shop.selectproducts.com/diy/printitem.asp?Source=CK&CartId={20EVERESTBC7FB3-BB2B-4880-8858-743329EBC3E3}&ic=ACT0004

I know the picture is small but if I get a chance later today I will get one out and take a picture of it for you. I have some laying around here somewhere. If you have never seen one its basically the rod, a seperate cable and the motor. It allows you tou mount the rod and motor seperately to save space and it will push a PS One all day long. If you search there site they sell this whole kit with switches and tracks.

http://shop.selectproducts.com/diy/customkititems.asp?CartId={F055CF3E-D0C8-45D9-8DCE-129F01A0EVEREST2755}&kc=ACTKIT1&eq=

Let me know if this helps.

You don't need a frequency generator. You need something called a servo tester (which is a ready made frequency generator). Google it and you'll find them cheap. You buy two and wire them into a relay. Set one to the open position, one to the close position. Flip flop them using the relay.

Keep in mind that servos only hold their position if there is power applied to them. If it requires forces to keep the screen closed, when you turn the car off, it might not hold it.

A Fusion brain can be programmed to do the same thing but requires the computer to command it to do so. If the computer doesn't boot, you won't be able to command the servo.

Another option is an Arduino board. You can program this board for the open/closed positions and it will remember them even when it is powered down. Using an Arduino requires a small amount of programming knowledge as you write the program on a computer and upload it to the Arduino. Also, you'll have to do a little wiring of buttons and servos but it should be pretty basic stuff.

Summary:

1. Servo test is simplest, least elegant, still requires some electrical knowledge for wiring the relay
2. Fusion brain, will work but won't work when pc is off, I think the mdx software will help you program this, plus the FB does a whole lot more
3. Arduino is most elegant solution but requires some electrical knowledge and a small amount of programming.

[blatant plug for new device]

you could also use a qube-- from what i understand it can also be programmed and controlled without computer needing to be on...