Can anyone reccomend a low-friction potentiometer?

Have you considered gearing?

Also consider an optical encoder instead, it can be essentially
frictionless (though unless you build it yourself, it probably won't
be).

Potentioneters are build tahat way un pupose so that moving your machine
does not change the pot settings. If it were loose, every rattle would
turn the volume up or whatever.

On many cheap pots (the open style, simple PCB only with some bent sheet
metal) there are two wings in the center that are bent to create extra
friction. Bend those back a little and yu pot will be a lot easier to
turn. Don't bend them too far, or the whole pot axle will become very weak.

However, you say that you use servos? Those have a pot built in already.
Use it.

Matthias

How about here http://www.specsensors.com/segments.asp
They have assemblies you can make yourself for your custom needs.

The Hirudinidae



On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 10:00:25 +0100, Matthias Melcher

If you do not want to go the Pot route then the encoder (optical) is
the next best.

You can get them pro made here.

http://www.precisionmicro.com/product.php?pr_idX&name=Optical_Encoder_Discs_and_Strips

More fun making it yourself though.


The Hirudinidae

On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 10:00:25 +0100, Matthias Melcher