Solenoids in a matrix config.......

[skydiver]

Hi,

I would like to get some help from you guy in a situation that I have
found myself in.

I am looking for some small solenoids, either air or electronic ones,
that can create around 3 or 4 pound pressure and can hold it for a
couple of minutes.
They would be setup in a matrix way and driven by a PC. I am clear on
the way I like to use them, only I am not sure what is out there, and
most of all, how cheaply is it possible to get!?

If the test would work and I can create the whole project that I am
planning to use them for, I would need over 100 pieces of them!

They need to be only single directional one, so spring retraction is
OK!
In diameter, should not be more than 40 mm, yet the rod should be up
to 150mm.

If I am too vague, is because I am only researching for now on the
technology that I can use. Once I get some feedback, I should be able
to be more specific in details and in needs…

Thanking to who ever gets back to me.

 

[Ian Stirling]

skydiver <lacika@bigfoot.com> wrote:

Hi,

I would like to get some help from you guy in a situation that I have
found myself in.

I am looking for some small solenoids, either air or electronic ones,
that can create around 3 or 4 pound pressure and can hold it for a
couple of minutes.
They would be setup in a matrix way and driven by a PC. I am clear on
the way I like to use them, only I am not sure what is out there, and
most of all, how cheaply is it possible to get!?

The solenoids are probably going to cost you more than the interface.
How large a matrix?

If the test would work and I can create the whole project that I am
planning to use them for, I would need over 100 pieces of them!

They need to be only single directional one, so spring retraction is
OK!
In diameter, should not be more than 40 mm, yet the rod should be up
to 150mm.

150mm > 40mm.
Do you mean that you want to attach the solenoid to a pad?

Force?
Stroke length?
Number of solenoids?
Activation time?

What sort of electronics/construction skills do you have (would buy be
better than build).
What sort of budget?

 

[skydiver]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply!

Basically at this point I am looking for some product to do an
experiment, that would help me to design a bigger project later.

At this point in time, I would need to have a matrix, where I have a
rod pressing up would, in about 4 cm apart.(Total of 36 pieces at this
point) Each of them should have a capacity of 3 - 4 pound pressure and
to be able to hold it for around 5 minutes at the time.
Stroke length should be about 3cm andwould be nice to have three steps
to get to the max length...

I have no need for a quick activation time, longest it is not more
than seconds...

Skills are something I have to reactivate, it is nearly 20 years ago
since I have done anything like this at Uni.... Buying is out of
question, as I need to learn and constantly adjust things as I get to
the next point of evolution of the project.

Cheapest possible, yet not something that would break down in every 5
minutes.

Cheers.

Do you mean that you want to attach the solenoid to a pad?
Force?
Stroke length?
Number of solenoids?
Activation time?
What sort of electronics/construction skills do you have (would buy be
better than build).
What sort of budget?

 

[Ian Stirling]

skydiver <lacika@bigfoot.com> wrote:

Hi,

Thanks for your reply!

Basically at this point I am looking for some product to do an
experiment, that would help me to design a bigger project later.

At this point in time, I would need to have a matrix, where I have a
rod pressing up would, in about 4 cm apart.(Total of 36 pieces at this
point) Each of them should have a capacity of 3 - 4 pound pressure and
to be able to hold it for around 5 minutes at the time.
Stroke length should be about 3cm andwould be nice to have three steps
to get to the max length...

The cheapest way I could think of of doing this would be to take
a power screwdriver (I've bought these in the past for $4US (equivalent)),
a bit of threaded rod, microswitches to set the limits, ...

Fabricate it all yourself, and you can probably get it to maybe $8/unit,
or $300 or so.

It may be possible to substantially reduce this cost for large numbers,
by having one actuator that can be connected to many in series.
It's not going to be simple.