I’m trying to make a linear slide using telescoping aluminum tubing, but a ready-made one sure would be nice, preferrably one with a SES pattern for mounting a servo.
There are plenty for sale on ebay (for lifting car hoods, trunks, doors, etc), but how about one that works directly with a servo?
Then I could have the “7th” degree of freedom for my robot arm.
The next time you are adding new things to your product line, please consider making a linear actuator. Thanks!
There are some companies that make smaller linear actuators.
If you want a literal servo conversion to linear output then this is about as close as I’ve seen. You can get them at Tower Hobbies among other places.
Not sure if they allow off-site linking but here’s a picture if it works.
Oop… you really shouldnt have posted this. gunna have to get me a few!!
great find. Ingenious idea! http://www.emsjomar.com/images/linear2.jpg
looks like they will fit the standard hitec range too.!
thanks for the tips! I did look at the servocity model, but it costs $300 ! I was hoping that a similar mechanism could be made that would accept a standard hitec servo.
Well if you are really looking for OTS linear actuator then perhaps Firegelli might have something that will work. Much of their stuff isn’t $300… but you may need to “do” something to make then behave like a servo from a standard r/c servo type PWM input.
also another nice little link i found:
epn-online.com/page/new57779 … motor.html
With dimensions as small as 12,5x47mm and a weight of merely 56g, the 1247 linear DC-servomotor series can produce a peak force of up to 9,4N at full power.
The standard product has a stroke length of 20mm and is optionally available with up to 80mm.
The missing element is a very inexpensive h-bridge to operate the 12v motors in the automotive type actuators. Perhaps Lynxmotion should consider a contest to see who can make an inexpensive DIY h-bridge that can be used with a linear actuator and controlled via the ssc-32.
Thanks for the suggestions! The Firgelli actuators appear to be what I’m looking for – found one with a 24" travel, decent current draw and price. Is there a circuit that could make it appear to the servo controller as a PWM servo? What is an H-Bridge?
OK I guess I answered my own question : now I know what an H-Bridge is. And, I saw a project on this site that answered my other question: Jim Frye’s Monster Servo uses the board out of a hitec servo to control a different DC motor. I’ll try this approach with the Firgelli linear actuator. Not sure if it will work the same with the pot-stop removed. I assume it will take several rotations to move the actuator arm a full 24". Oh well, if it doesn’t work I’ll make an H-bridge instead.
The problem is that the Firgelli linear actuators are 12v and servos are 6v.
Check out firgelli.com. They have a CIB control board that accepts standard servo control signals. 12 or 6V are ok. If you want it to work with the big firgelliauto actuators you just need a 12V supply for the actuator. As long as the grounds are tied together with the RC receiver this will work.
They also have Linear Servos (L12 R) that are directly compatible with the 5-6V systems(No CIB needed). The connector is even the same. Might not be big enough for your application though…Biggest 10cm.
That’s gotta cost a few Swiss franks!
Alan KM6VV