I’d like to set up a liner actuator that will constantly cycle from extended to retracted positions. From what I can tell, this would require an actuator with a potentiometer to sense position, and an appropriate controller. Could someone advise me as to what kind of a controller I would need to accomplish this ? Please bear in mind that although I am mechanically adept, I am new to robotics and digital controls.
Do you have a linear actuator in mind? The controller you need depends on the actuator.
I was looking at a PA-04 (Progressive Automation). I’d like to get a 16" stroke and 100 lbs seems adequate. Speed is not critical but I see theirs is capable of about 3" sec. I can use any actuator with similar capabilities.
I am setting up a testing model that I want to cycle through its operation over and over to see how it holds up. A motor and crank would be too large so I want to use a linear actuator.
This one?
Yes, or something similar.
The same company sells motor control systems including the drivers and PLCs and microcontrollers. It should be pretty simple to put something together from what they sell. However, I recommend asking them what they recommend since they are familiar with their own products. I would expect you need a motor control unit and an arduino, perhaps with one of the shields they sell. They may have a pre-configured arduino or PLC system.
I’ll have to try to educate myself about what an arduino or PLC system is. I am mechanically adept but unfamiliar with the field of electronic automation. I am sure that what I need is readily available, I just don’t know what to buy and how to program it. Hence my posting here.
As I said, they company can likely recommend the best parts. They know their products better than anyone else. If you describe to them what you are trying to do they can make recommendations.
A PLC is an industrial control module, similar to a simple computer, that sequences through a series of steps. They are used widely in industrial automation. The linear actuator you describe is an industrial part and probably intended to be controlled by a PLC.
An Arduino is a small computer meant mainly for hobbyists. But is has gained a lot of attention in industrial automation as well. It can be prgrammed to do a wide variety of things but will need extra hardware to interface to the actuator.
Once the parts are recommended, people here (including me) can probably help you with making it do what you want. The people at the company probably could, too, but that is probably outside their scope.
Thank you for your advice.