I need to find a material that will assist my bubble lifter servo lift the weight of my B9's finished bubble. It probably weighs about 5 lbs or more. Without a helper the HD servo I'm using now struggles to lift it and is slow to start moving upwards because of the weight. Up till now I've used a stiff spring as a servo helper but it was causing problems due to the way I had it attached to the lifting fork that is in turn attached to the servo and the neck pipe. The spring was attached to the front of the fork and pulling up on just one side causing binding of the neck pipe. I want to move it to the rear "handle" of the fork and perhaps make the tension adjustable somehow (adding a turnbuckle?). I also thought I'd like to use a different material other than a metal spring. Maybe a bungee cord and make it adjustable. The thing is, whatever I use I don't want the material to degrade over time or creep out of adjustment due to stretching. Does anyone have any ideas on what material I could use that would stand the abuse of wright, movement and time? I'll attach a pic or two of my present design (without any spring attached). Thanks!
Thanks for the tour.... Looks good enough for now. Your rebuild plan will make it much smoother and accurate.
He is a fine fellow! A Mechanical Marvel...
Thanks again guys for all your help and ideas. Yes, When the time comes this winter I think a linear actuator will be the way I go.
I really appreciate your kind words.
Dave, I appreciate your drive to improve and your effort involved. I think your idea of a linear actuator is a great plan. Steve S
Hi Steve, Hope all is well and you're doing better.
I agree it should be the best way to go. However I'm not interested in the regular Hrydo filled linear actuator. There are newer electric linear actuator now on the market that don't require replacing fluid and seals. I'm looking into them now to see if they will meet my needs. Sounds promising. I wouldn't have found them with the help of people like are on this forum.
www.thomsonlinear.com/website/com/eng/products/actuators/pc_series.php
Ah can't beat Precision Linear Actuators, good choice Dave, will be silent and smooth as butter.
Here is one I got for a robot I am building. Dave Cochran uses them on Rafiki.
I put a 6 inch scale for reference.
Strong enough to lift the world (225 pounds)
Thanks Andy for going through this trouble. However I'll need one with at least a 4"stroke and able to make that trip in one second or less. Electric is preferred and not hydraulic.