Pneumatics

[scopEDog]

Yup i'm the dummy :)

Hey guys, anyone have any pneumatics experience (on a small scale)? I'm looking for pneumatic cylinders with a 10" stroke..actually looking for the whole kit (valves, fittings, etc..). Searching on the net but not much help :( Any advice would be greatly appreciated B)

[dutchcedar]

Every pneumatic project seems to start with Parker Hannifin but when the prices come in, Bimba comes to the table.

http://www.parker.com/

You should be able to find some good prices on eBay...

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?M...umatic+cylinder (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&ht=1&query=pneumatic+cylinder)

[scopEDog]

Thanks for the heads up dutch :) The festo and parker stuff is real expensive...i was looking for a good alternative to linear actuators (expense and noisey). I found fxsupply.com but that outfit seems a bit shady. I might have to shop around surplus shops, maybe I'll get lucky.

[dutchcedar]

Linear actuators are cool thingamajiggies. B) Because they're often used in custom cars (even some production cars), 12V versions are available but they can be awfully pricey and usually quite powerful.

eBay might be a good place to start lookin'.

Not knowing what's goin' on in that fanciful brain of yours :p , but can suggest that if it's for a PC project, keep in mind that a short stroke actuator with the right linkage attached to it can make something move quite far. ;)

[dutchcedar]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2454313129 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6763&item=2454313129)

[Pug]

I managed to Google up a list of 1391 pneumatics suppliers (http://www.special-machinery.com/special-machinery/nsearch.html?&y=&us=400565b0004b5&heading=3830) for your bookmarks but then I went off at a tangent when I remembered a few of an engineer friend's robotics projects and came up with a few alternatives from Robot Store (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/default.asp) -


Electric pistons™ (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/list.asp?cid=50) (although the link seems to be just for the batteries)
Electric Pistons™ 

Available now - an amazing, fully integrated shape memory alloy actuator - the Electric Piston. Power it up and this strong, compact device (about the size of a jumbo crayon) pulls with up to one pound of force and contracts by 20 mm (0.75 inch) - twenty percent of its length! No compressors or hydraulic fluids, just electricity.

Capable of lifting 45 times its own weight, the Electric Piston has an incredibly smooth and silent action. It has built-in protection from over strain, and mounting holes for easy installation in your devices. Typical activation requires just 1 volt at five amps for two seconds.


NanoMuscle™ (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/list.asp?cid=42)
The amazing new NanoMuscle Actuator contains a long length of SMA Wire in a compact electromechanical device that amplifies the stroke and motion of the wire, and provides for easy mounting and controllability. For silent, direct linear action, grab hold of NanoMuscles.

BioMetal (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/list.asp?cid=47) (not sure if it'll be strong enough for the application mind)
Made from a nickel-titanium alloy, and highly processed for electrical activation and long life, the thin black thread-like BioMetal acts as an artificial muscle. When powered, the BioMetal contracts. When power turns off, the BioMetal quickly cools and the wire extends again to its longer, starting length.

Muscle Wires (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/list.asp?cid=21)
Now you can create fast, silent, all-electric motorless motion with just a single strand of our unique nickel-titanium alloy Muscle Wires.

Muscle Wires actually shorten in length when electrically powered, and can lift thousands of times their own weight.

Nitinol (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/list.asp?cid=49) (again, not sure on suitability but interesting all the same)
Nitinol, a SMA combination of nickel and titanium, can be processed into various forms and is an alternative for obtaining motion from electrical current. Typically motors or solenoids would be used, but there are many cases when SMAs are advantageous because of their mechanical simplicity, high strength to weight ratio, silentness, and precise control.

Might also be worth checking their bargain bucket (http://www.robotstore.com/catalog/garage_sale.asp) if you're so enclined. :)

[dutchcedar]

I doubt they'll answer your challenge scopEDog, but just in case anyone want's to move a pound 3/4"... [Dutch scratches head wondering what to move in da box]:

Electric Pistons: http://www.elexp.com/kit_mt32.htm

or: http://www.mondo.com/products.html

[dutchcedar]

12V electric remote controlled linear actuator with an adjustable stroke up to 12", but might be overkill and pricey: http://firgelli.com/item26.htm

Dimensioned drawings: http://firgelli.com/msg7.htm

[scopEDog]

I love the wizd forums :) Thanks for the tips guys...looks like I'll have to pony up the money for linear actuators

[Pug]

Originally posted by dutchcedar@Jan 16 2004, 04:49 AM
[Dutch scratches head wondering what to move in da box]:

Me too. :huh:

I'm guessing at a gullwing case door or something

Ed, d'you need two way action? - if not, how 'bout using the dampers from a hatchback car? with a solenoid lock?
I seem to remember mnpctech looking into a lot of different hatchback models for something similar, some time back.


Nice leads though Dutch - I hope this place attracts more posters like you. :)

[dutchcedar]

Originally posted by Pug@Jan 18 2004, 02:35 AM
I'm guessing at a gullwing case door or something
Oh Lord, won't ya buy me... a Mercedes Benz? :p

On the "greenhouse" case I just built, the thought of letting the greenhouse open "gullwing style" plagued my brain for well over a week. Danged logic and common sense got in the way with that nagging question, "How many times are ya ever gonna use it?"

Necessity may be the Mother of invention, but logic and common sense are often it's nemesis. :blink:

[scopEDog]

Well i hit the local junkyards looking for stuff. The junk they did have they wanted to sell me was the same price as new stuff. Even tried to haggle the price but nothing :angry: Well anyways yes Pug i need 2 way action, It'll be part of my new worklog coming up pretty soon.

[ỒĊBłůē]

I know this thread is old, but...

Did you ever get hold of the cylinders you were after Scope, or are you still looking?