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Help finding a small linear actuator

Hello all,

I am trying to build a "launcher" which will launch small 2gm gliders. The gliders need to be launched between 3-6 m/s. At the present, I was thinking of combining a linear actuator stage with a gripper mechanism which will release the glider when the actuator stage reaches the desired velocity.

I already have a small solenoid driven gripper. Now I need to find a linear actuator with the following specs:

  1. electrically driven (not pneumatic)
  2. should have some sort of platform on which another small mechanism can be mounted. This mechanism will have a weight of say 30 gms or so (including the gripper)
  3. will be able to travel about 3-6 m/s.
  4. Hopefully will not be "huge", i.e can be mounted on a moving table or something similar, i.e say some 18'' long or less.

I would greatly appreciate any help, Warm regards, Srinath

Reply to
Srinath Avadhanula
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Dear Srinath Avadhanula:

If a rubber band in not high-tech enough, you could use an air cylinder, and an air compressor (or compressed gas cylinder). You'd need to fire the cylinder into a dashpot if it is a cheap one, to keep from blowing the end off the cylinder.

David A. Smith

Reply to
N:dlzc D:aol T:com (dlzc)

Spring catapult maybe? Spring could be of coil type or maybe beam type.

Reply to
ms

Dear ms:

I noticed upon reviewing my post he said "not pneumatic". How about a solenoid operating a lever?

David A. Smith

Reply to
N:dlzc D:aol T:com (dlzc)

"N:dlzc D:aol T:com \(dlzc\)" wrote in news:nT7Xd.33$uk7.12@fed1read01:

Hmm, guessing battery life might be of interest you might be better off with a small motor slowly cocking a passive spring of some sort. Seems a shame to accelerate 32 gm to 6 m/s and then only release 2 gm of load.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Reply to
Greg Locock

Hi Greg,

This sounds like an interesting idea. The "problem" will be to suddenly get the spring released...

Along these lines, I was thinking that if I have a counterbalance pendulum and the motor could just lift that and let go suddenly. The sudden let go could be when a cam slips or something.

I agree, 32 gms of gripper for a 2 gm glider is excessive, but I couldn't find solenoids which would have the required force output small enough.

Thanks for replying! :) Regards, Srinath

Reply to
srinath

Dear srinath:

Not a lot of force involved. Just drive another solenoid "up" to lift the mechanism out of engagement.

If you are only looking for single shots every few minutes, you can overdrive the solenoid. 2x voltage might be possible with even the cheapest solenoids. Just keep the "power pulse" duration short. The problem might be in getting the glider to survive the short duration launch...

David A. Smith

Reply to
N:dlzc D:aol T:com (dlzc)

Door lock actuator (car audio/security install shop).

Dwayne

Reply to
Dwayne

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