linear actuator

[Nick1911]

I'm looking for a cheap source of fairly strong linear actuators.  I'm thinking solenoids would be useful, but I don't know how much pulling force they can exert.  Other then that, it appears that the only other solution is a motor driven linear actuator.

As far as cheap sources, I've been trying to find parts of a car that use linear actuators.  (Used car parts are usually cheap for what they are, yay for mass production!).  So far, I've found that IAC valves use solenoids, and a variety of devices use motors (door locks, windows, power seats, ect.)

I'd like to find a cheap device that can exert up to 5lbs and run off 12vdc.  It'll won't be on all the time, so I wouldn't feel bad pusing up to 125% rated power through it... Ideas?

-Nick

[280plus]

Graingers...maybe?

[AmbulanceDriver]

*heh* When I first read your post title I thought it said "linear accelerators" and my little mental antennae popped up in a hurry.  LinAc's are way too much fun........

[richyoung]

How long a throw do you need?  How about automobile power door lock solenoids?  You could gang up more than one if you need to....

[onions!]

Can you give a little more info about what you are going to do with it?
There might be another 12v motor that's more applicable.

[drewtam]

Would RC servos work for you?
http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/index.html

Using a simple connecting rod, you can change the rotating motion to linear motion.
To pick your servo, you will need to know the force, response speed, and travel you need.

Drew

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Well, now I'm curious.  What kind of gadget are you building with linear actuators and Atmel microcontrollers?

If it's something cool then I want you to build one for me!

[Nick1911]

Thanks for the interesting ideas.  I may end up rethinking my design to use more readly avaliable components...

Headless Thompson Gunner - It's basically a platform that a pump-action potato gun / semi-auto (full auto?) golf-ball launcher will be built off.  The linear actuator is needed as part of my original fuel pump design, however I'm now working on re-designing it, probably off either a stepper motor with a cam, or using a glow plug and basically building a linear heat engine. (Although I don't know if this would produce much force - it's a custom design)

The microcontroller is needed to sync up all of the subsystems and time everything out.  It will be tied into the fuel pump, the fuel injector, the trigger, and the ignition coil.

I'm still struggling with finiding a suitable microcontroller programmer.  Microcontrollers would be ideal for several of my projects (IE: My coffee machine)

I'm trying to design so that most if not all devices can come from some mass produced item to keep costs down.  So far there's parts from guns (AK's mostly), cars (about 20 little things), and various consumer electronics.

[Tallpine]

Just FYI ... a friend of mine used an electric rear (tailgate) window mechanism from a Suburban to change the angle on a weed spray boom on the back of a truck.

[Big_R]

Couple ideas; Look in your area for industrial salvagers.  They buy used manufacturing equipment and sell components, usually for around 20% or original cost.  Second, look around Ebay.  I deal with several industrial salvagers in MN and they all sell stuff there.  I did a quick Ebay search for "linear actuator" and came back with 99 hits, starting around $25.00.

Ryan

[Hazzard]

Nick

http://www.73.com/a/0071.shtml

http://www.surplussales.com/

http://www.allelectronics.com/

http://www.goldmine-elec.com/

http://www.bgmicro.com/

The inventory changes for each of these suppliers, but you can find linear actuators from each of them from time to time. Most are stepper motor based, but this would interface well with your Amtel design with the proper driver.