I’m trying to design a bot that will use a motor or linear actuator to move an arm in one direction, apply a set amount of pressure, and then retract. Can anyone help me come up with a way to do this? I already have a prototype that uses a DPDT switch and a linear actuator, but the pressure sensor is not connected to these and must be read manually through an readout on a computer screen. The pressure sensor is a FlexiForce 0-25 lb sensor attached to a Phidgets 8x8 board.
Thank you in advance!
-Gibson
Hi,
You can connect your FlexiForce 0-25 lb sensor with the Phidgets FlexiForce Adapter and interface it to a microcontroller as Analog input.
You can probably use a standard Arduino board for your application like the Arduino UNO.
As for the motor, you can use a motor controller board/shield connected with the microcontroller (depending on the motor/actuator specs you’ll use).
Like for example this one has an operating voltage of 5V to 12V and can provide up to 2A per channel (dual channel) : robotshop.com/en/arduino-mot … ld-v3.html
Then, you can program the microcontroller in a way that the motor change its direction/speed depending on your pressure sensor input.
For example if the motor/actuator apply a certain amount of pressure, the motor controller will change its direction and it will retract.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
Sorry for jumping onto this thread but I think it is close to what I am looking to do. If possible I’d like to use a linear actuator such as the Firgelli L12 to measure linear distance. I’d like to be able to get the actuator to extend until a certain pressure feedback is registered as which time I need a read out for the extension of the actuator. Is it possible you could direct me as to what type of L12 actuator would work best for this assuming I coupled it with the controllers and pressure sensor you recommended below as there are a number of different models.
Many thanks,
Finn
Hi,
Thank you for posting on RobotShop’s forum.
With the products listed below :
Phidgets FlexiForce Adapter with a Flexiforce pressure sensor
Arduino Motor Shield V3
Arduino Uno USB Microcontroller Rev 3
You can use this L12 Linear Actuator 100mm 100:1 6V Analog that provide an analog position feedback that can be input to the Arduino Board as analog input.
This way, you can know the position of the actuator under a known pressure value from the pressure sensor (that will be also connected as analog input from the Phidgets FlexiForce Adapter).
The L12 Linear Actuator draws 450mA when stalled, so you’ll be fine with the Arduino Motor Shield V3 that can provide up to 2Amps per channel.
Regards,