Actuator powerful enough to reset a mouse trap?

[creepco]

Hello,

I’m working on an art project that will require resetting a standard mouse trap using a microcontroller controlled motor. I’ve tried using a lower torque stepper motor (13oz.-inch) and it can’t quite pull the spring arm back.
I’m wondering if a stepper like this will be powerful enough, or overkill:
robotshop.com/geared-bipolar-stepper-motor-3v-555-oz-in.html
I don’t need speed, but I do want to be able to accurately track the position of the spring arm, with no slipping.

Thank you for any advice!
Brent

[cbenson]

Do you have a measurement on how much torque is required to reset the trap? If you don’t try to think of some ways of measuring it - for example hang the trap on its side and keep adding weights (or water in a bucket) to the end until it moves down. Torque = force x distance (between the force and the axis of rotation).