I decided to pop into Techgarage for an hour or two today and start taking apart V10. However, I quickly got sidetracked and began to create a prototype linear actuator based off of my CAD design from yesterday. Like I said before the main goal of these linear actuators is to a create a compact rigid closed system to allow for flexibility on where and how it is mounted in the final design. This will allow me to make changes faster and easier without having to redesign the entire thing. I didn’t have all of the parts I needed, I was missing 8mm linear rods the right size as well as one of the mounting pieces for the lead screw nut but I was able to throw something together to give me a good idea of whether or not it will work.
Because I didn’t have any 8mm rods the right size I had to use 12mm linear rods and 12mm linear bearings. I also didn’t have the right compression hub for the 12mm bearings so I couldn’t mount them properly and had to add in a spacer which created friction when the whole thing moved.
I didn’t grab any video of it moving but I was using a hand crank instead of a stepper motor well… because I don’t have the right stepper motor or a mount for the stepper motor yet. Using the hand crank though I was very satisfied with the motion, it was smooth the mount was very rigid and the entire thing could be mounted however I wanted and it would not inhibit movement.
Can’t wait for these parts to come in!
Devin Willis 