A cheap motor that can move 50-60 pounds a short distance

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

Hello,

For my child’s project she needs to move a 10"* 10" platform on the stage with one child on it (50 to 60 pounds) from one location to another. Their budget is very limited. Can you please recommend a motor?

If you have simple instruction how to build such a platform in a smart way, it would be greatly appreciated too. Do you happen to have other items like wheels, cheap switch etc that can help us create this platform?

Thank you
Smitha

2

When you say “limited budget”, can you give us an idea? We do not have any build instructions for custom robots.
Can you describe the motion itself? Is it purely linear? How would you control the platform?
Note that with a switch alone, it would go to full speed and likely cause the actor to fall off.
The more details you can provide (drawing is also appreciated), the better we can help.

3

Motion can be purely linear and simple. Let’s say move 8ft in a minute?

Good point of the actor falling off :slight_smile: Would love to get the circuit built for $30, if possible Sorry, we do not have a circuit yet. I was hoping discussions with you could get me going!!. Is it possible to mount it on a simple 10"*10" wooden dolly constructed with the motors connected to four wheels? A switch attached to platform that the kid steps on? Might be we can attach a vertical wood piece the child can hold on so they do not fall off!!

The child would be a light 8yr old, roughly 50 pounds.

Thank you
Smitha

4

If it’s linear, many stage productions simply use a rope and four fixed caster wheels and have someone pull from off stage (use a pulley if needed).
If this is not possible, then use the same approach of four fixed caster wheels and add a fifth wheel (centered) which is connected to a motor.
Alternatively, if you can support the wheel opposite the motor, you can use two fixed casters and the rear wheel is motorized, ensure good contact with the stage surface.
The catch is that the wheel would need to be very high friction, and the motor needs to be fairly high power. A high power motor needs a high power controller, making it far from “inexpensive”.
An easier way - continuation of the rope approach, is to wind the rope around a pulley rather than a wheel - this ensures good friction, but still requires that a rope be put in place.
Again, trying our best to accommodate for a “very low budget” approach.

5

Thank you for these details.

Regards
Smitha