I am designing a robot to be put in Space. I am looking for suggestions for the make and model for three types of motors:
motor that rotates a lead screw that is 700 mm in length. The leadscrew has a nut attached to a platform that pushes 5-8 Kgs of mass. The dimension of the motor are:
Length = 100 mm (maximum)
Width = 100 mm (maximum
Depth = As thin as possible
motor used for pushing 5-8 kgs of mass. The dimensions of the motors are:
Length = 26 mm (maximum)
Diameter = 20 mm (maximum)
motor and gearhead combination must produce at least 10.8 Nm. The dimensions of the combined motor and gearhead (or motor only if it can produce the necessary force) are:
Length = 50 mm (maximum)
Diameter = 35 mm (maximum)
Any help, comments or suggestions would be most welcome.
If the robot will ACTUALLY go into space, the components need to be incredibly reliable, radiation and durability tested etc. They will be some expensive motors and you’ll need to consider Maxon motors as your #1 choice. Faulhaber might have some as well.
If this is for a simulated robot (class project for example), then please indicate so.
Eventually, the objective is to actually use the technology in Space. Even though it may take some time to achieve this, it is impotant that while I am still in the design phase, I always keep in mind that the technology will be used in Space.
Maxon is one of, if not the leader in DC motors for space. Be prepared for sticker shock ($$$). Note that they might (worth asking) have the same motor as “space tested” versus “stock”.
At this phase in development, you can save a lot of money by not using anything rated for space usage. But, perhaps you can choose a motor from the vendor that has the specs you need. Then, purchase a non-space rated motor that has specs that are close to the space-rated one. And ideally similar weight and size.
In some space applications, things like center of gravity are very important, and then you really do want the same weight. If the space-rated one were heavier, you could just add weight to the cheap version. But, it may be that the space-rated one may be lighter than average, to save every critical ounce. So, you might not be able to find a substitute motor. A lot depends on the item you are designing. If the motors are not used during times when the center of gravity matter, then for testing you might remove the motors, and substitute a dummy weight during those operations.
Still, If you end up having to redesign and choose a motor with different specs, it will surely be a lot less painful to do that change with a cheap motor.
