Hi
I am in process of building a simple linear actuator that is based on two timing pulleys (same size) with a toothed belt running between them. The belt itself is attached to a linear slide with the moving object attached to that.
My requirement however is that the direction must be able to be reversed very quickly which poses some questions?
1. How fast can the direction of a DC Gear motor be reversed, repeatedly?
2. If the direction cannot be changed virtually instantaneously can I attach a motor to each pulley running in its own direction, switching between the two?
3. If a motor is attached to each pulley should I use a sort of uni-directional coupling between pulley and motor shaft so that motor 2 does not turn against the gears on motor 1 and what would such a coupling be called?
The physical requirements is to move a 1-2kg weight 13 cm then reverse direction and move 13 cm back. Rinse and repeat. The mechanism should be able to complete 3 complete movements per second. The pulley circumference will be +- 360 cm requiring a speed of 60 rpm on the motor .. I think.
I am in process of building a simple linear actuator that is based on two timing pulleys (same size) with a toothed belt running between them. The belt itself is attached to a linear slide with the moving object attached to that.
My requirement however is that the direction must be able to be reversed very quickly which poses some questions?
1. How fast can the direction of a DC Gear motor be reversed, repeatedly?
2. If the direction cannot be changed virtually instantaneously can I attach a motor to each pulley running in its own direction, switching between the two?
3. If a motor is attached to each pulley should I use a sort of uni-directional coupling between pulley and motor shaft so that motor 2 does not turn against the gears on motor 1 and what would such a coupling be called?
The physical requirements is to move a 1-2kg weight 13 cm then reverse direction and move 13 cm back. Rinse and repeat. The mechanism should be able to complete 3 complete movements per second. The pulley circumference will be +- 360 cm requiring a speed of 60 rpm on the motor .. I think.