Motor to turn 90degrees

Help & Support Robot Parts
1

Hello,
Sorry this isn’t related to robot building but you seem to be the most intelligent people to ask.
I have an LED sign which is to be mounted onto a vehicle and i want it to lay flat and then flip up when required. I am not sure what i can use to power it to flip up 90 degrees and then back down?
What do you suggest please?

Video of similar here…

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2

@Amurdin Welcome to the RobotShop Commnuity. Can’t quite tell from the video or the manufacturer’s datasheet which type of actuator they use.

There are many different ways to rotate something by 90 degrees and include:

  • servo motor
  • geared motor
  • convert linear to rotational motion
  • … and more

How do you want to send the signal to move (button, knob etc.), and how will you power the actuator (at what voltage)?

3

Hi Cbenson,

Thanks for reply and appreciate help.

So i am planning to use a rocker on-off-on switch like the pictured to allow the motor to run forward and reverse.

I have tried a linear actuator but the length of it is too long to place where i was planning.
My other idea was a 90degrees servo motor but not sure if it would work with the switch.
The power will be coming from a 12v leisure battery within the vehicle.

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Many thanks

4

Forgot to ask - is it relatively easy to rotate? It would be nice to have an idea of the torque required. If you’re just using a switch, an RC servo is likely not the best (though it is possible). A push / pull solenoid which can provide a good force and extended length might be an option. You can get fairly small DC linear actuators like this:


This operates at 12V, has limit switches to stop the motion and is pretty small. It includes mounting, so should be relatively easy to set up and position so that full extension corresponds to fully open, and fully retracted corresponds to closed. You can mount it on the side of the sign, or at the back.

More here: