Useless machine application

Thread Starter

bio88

Joined Feb 17, 2011
34
Believe it or not I have an actual application for the world's most useless machine. Similar to the machine/box I have a project with a hinged lid that goes from horizontal (home) to 90 degrees vertical - waits 10 seconds and returns to home. Rotation is by a small DC gear motor with clutch. Right now I control manually with a DPDT switch.

I would appreciate any suggestions/pointers on how to make this automatic.

Cycle/Sequence is:

Make N.O. Momentary switch

DC motor spins clockwise until...

rotating lid engages micro switch and hard stop

roughly 8-10 second pause

DC motor spins counter clockwise returning lid to home (hard stop).

Micro switch at home position turns off motor.

Cycle is reset to a wait state.

I think my first challenge is (removing the pause) getting the cycle to work with a momentary initiation switch. Useless machines use a latching switch..
 
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Thread Starter

bio88

Joined Feb 17, 2011
34
That is a slick package - thanks for the link!

The Most Useless Machine referenced is actually where I got my idea to make it simple as possible. Looks like that relay has the momentary issue covered - now just need to incorporate a delay. Cool stuff!

Thanks for your comments. Trust me - the final product of my project is far from useless.
 
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