Need Small Actuator or Solenoid? Where do I get it?

[Dan Dotson]

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

Dan

 

[Rich Grise]

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Lessee:
http://www.google.com/search?q=define:solenoid
http://www.google.com/search?q=define:actuator


Where can I find such a thing?

Have you tried searching the net? Maybe Newark Electronics, Mouser,
Digi-key, McMaster-Carr, Grainger, Harbor Freight?

I have a little radio controlled toy car (about the size of your thumb)
that has _something_ in it that makes it turn right or left - I could send
you one for the price of shipping, plus a few bucks as a bribe. ;-)

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Ignoramus29233]

I can sell you some

i

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

Dan

 

[Dan Dotson]

Tell me more...

On Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:36:22 -0600, Dan Dotson

I can sell you some

i

 

[Dan Dotson]

So I read the definitions, but it's not clear. Actually the solenoid is
very clear. Actuator isn't. It sounds like a generic term for a device
that performs action.

I've looked on the net, but I haven't looked at those sites yet.

 

[Don Lancaster]

So I read the definitions, but it's not clear. Actually the solenoid is
very clear. Actuator isn't. It sounds like a generic term for a device
that performs action.

I've looked on the net, but I haven't looked at those sites yet.

Solenoids are electrically operated.
Actuators are usually pneumatically operated, but could be spring,
hydraulic, electric, or whatever.


--
Many thanks,

Don Lancaster voice phone: (928)428-4073
Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552
rss: http://www.tinaja.com/whtnu.xml email: [email protected]

Please visit my GURU's LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com

 

[JeffM]

In this group we don't top-post.
We sure as hell don't do SERIAL top-posts.
It makes a complete mess of the posts.

Igor? You listening?
..
..

Tell me more...

Why don't YOU tell us more?
A project STARTS with a **specification**.
When you have put *numbers* to what you need,
then a solution can be found.
e.g. The required FORCE would be significant for this.

 

[Dan Dotson]

What gives? I'm not a regular to newsgroups, and certainly not this one.
Your response comes off as irritated and aggressive, as if I sat on your
barstool. I don't feel welcome here.

 

[default]

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

Dan

You don't say how small very small is or how much force you need.

A solenoid is an actuator, not all actuators are solenoids.

In automobiles for trunk latches and such they use a motor driven
actuator that works a worm screw and provides a lot of force in a
small size compared to a solenoid.

We used a similar scheme in RC in the 60's - small toy motor spins a
long screw or threaded rod and a follower nut moves a slotted lever to
move a rudder on boats. Cheap easy, proportional, simple and
powerful.

In small radio control toys they use a magnet pulled left or right by
coils like a solenoid.

"Voice coil" (ala speaker) drives are used to move arms in hard drives
and focus lasers and digital camera lenses. Precise positioning not
just in or out.

Look into Radio Control hobby sites for servo actuators (motor driven,
geared, precise positioning)

Springs, bimetallic devices or "muscle wires" that move due to heat or
current flow.

Simple solenoids have unequal force depending on how far the plunger
is out - they can incorporate machined plungers and pole pieces to
correct that shortcoming.

 

[Andy]

<http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category/575/Solenoids.html>

 

[Rich Grise]

So I read the definitions, but it's not clear. Actually the solenoid is
very clear. Actuator isn't. It sounds like a generic term for a device
that performs action.

Bingo! It's a very broad definition. Something that moves something when
it's energized.

And please don't top-post.

And for heaven's sakes, you could _make_ an actuator with a spool of
magnet wire and a nail! ;-)

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

What gives? I'm not a regular to newsgroups, and certainly not this one.
Your response comes off as irritated and aggressive, as if I sat on your
barstool. I don't feel welcome here.

Just learn to bottom- post. It shouldn't take long; just move your cursor
to the bottom of the material to which you're replying, snipping
irrelevant material judiciously along the way, such that you're replying
to pertinent points, in the natural order of a conversation.

http://www.caliburn.nl/topposting.html

Welcome to the loony bin! ;-)

Cheers!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

You don't say how small very small is or how much force you need.

A solenoid is an actuator, not all actuators are solenoids.

http://mysite.verizon.net/richgrise/images/Solenoid-Actuators.png

Hope This Helps!
Rich

 

[Dan Dotson]

Just learn to bottom- post. It shouldn't take long; just move your cursor
to the bottom of the material to which you're replying, snipping
irrelevant material judiciously along the way, such that you're replying
to pertinent points, in the natural order of a conversation.

http://www.caliburn.nl/topposting.html

Welcome to the loony bin! ;-)

Cheers!
Rich

I get it!

 

[Tim Wescott]

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

Dan

An actuator is a generic term for just about any transducer that takes
energy in some form and turns it into mechanical energy at its output.

A solenoid is a type of electrical actuator.

--
Tim Wescott
Control systems and communications consulting
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott
Elsevier/Newnes, http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

 

[mpm]

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

Dan

Try MPJA.com (or Google Marlin P Jones, if I got it wrong).

I have several hundred collecting dust.
Pay postage (USA), and I'll send you several for free.
email me offline if interested. -mpm

Don't know the exact pull in-strength, but they were fairly
substantial.
About 1" square (coil size), and maybe 4" long total, including the
plastic actuator arm.

 

[Joerg]

Hello:

I have a project where I need a very small actuator or solenoid. I need to
pull a lever about 1/4 to 3/8". As an aside, I don't understand the
difference between an actuator and a solenoid.

Where can I find such a thing?

Thanks for the help!

In case Senor Millard doesn't have one that fits check the solenoids in
the sprinkler system aisle of the next HW store. Little black thingies,
1" diameter or so, the rod can probably move far enough on some and is
often held in place by a spring. 24V AC, usually. Example:

http://rainbird.com/diy/products/accessories/srk1.htm