Good morning,
Sorry if this post is rather rudimentary, I’ve never worked with automation or robotics before. Per a new request from our customer, I have an additional test I need to carry on on an actuator similar to this goo.gl/7CQN27 .
http://www.aircraftpartsandsalvage.com/images/C301002-0101_115.JPG
When power is applied to the motor the black ball screw extends to the right until coming in contact with the momentary switch located on the silver switch block. Our current test is completed by attaching the actuator to a weighted pendulum and a power source. The power source has a 3-way switch that controls ball screw movement in and out, with center being neutral. Currently the test is done manually with an operator engaging the switch at the extents of the stroke.
The new test sets a life cycle requirement of 10,000 cycles. To have my operator do this manually will be extremely time consuming, and prevent them from doing other value added work. I’ve done some searching on the internet for designing an automated system to do this, with not many results. While searching I stumbled upon flowbotics, which appears like it can handle an application such as this.
My question is if anyone would be kind enough to help me design the actuation system. My theory is that the two momentary switches can be connected to the flowbotics program, and receive a signal when either switch is engaged. I then imagine two small electro-mechanical actuators positioned above and below the power source switch. So when the left switch (in position) is engaged, one of the actuators will engage the power supply switch to run the ball screw to the right switch (out position); and vice versa.
I hope this post makes sense, and it’s in the right spot. If not please let me know and I can clarify or move this post as necessary.
Thank you
~Dale