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Need some help from the auto-rotating monitor experts...

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Le Chuck:


--- Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on March 12, 2012, 03:54:59 pm ---Got a rotating monitor project coming up?

I would have used that VXB turntable bearing if I had known of it before going with the LSB.  That is awesome and a great price. 

--- End quote ---

I'm percolating for the kid's cabinet I'll be doing for their Christmas.  I'm getting the stuff now though because I really want to do a proof of concept on a 4.8v rotation using a robotics servo and that turntable bearing.  Once I get the pot issue sorted (or fail miserably) on my caanoo hack I'll be using the first linked flange bearing to support the scaled yoke. 

kahlid74:

Thanks for the bearings examples.  I also saw that first site had shafts as well.  I got my motor and primary voltage controller today so I'll be rigging it up here in the next few days especially when I get my Power supply.

kahlid74:

The question then becomes what type of shaft to use and gear vs pulley.  Anyone have any thoughts on one versus the other and what to look for specifically with shafts?  I see a lot of shafts rated for linear motion but what about rotational motion or are they the same?

Le Chuck:

Most shafts you get that have a sufficient linear rating will have a sufficient radial rating.  This has to do with the basic shaft design (round and all) but there is variance if you're working at high rotations... which we aren't... so it doesn't matter.  If the shaft can hold the load and fits the bearing you'll be fine. 

As for gear and pulley that is more determined by what sort of drive you want to use.  There is no reason to even have gearing if you have a strong enough motor or servo to connect directly to the axle.  If you need to offset though I am still a huge fan of the wheel and roller from the DNA Dan builds.  (Same type that Darthpaul just used on his automation opus... and I think that Switchcade used it as well)

DNA Dan:

Go for it Nitz! You can do it! I've been around, but just now saw your thread.

What I did for the pololu motor controller is I bought an actual molex pigtail so you can plug directly into the power supply of the computer. This way you have a plug and play design that is fool-proof. You want to use the 12V rail for this. The USB connection is strictly for communication to the software. I purchased the board already assembled because they have a nice terminal block on it for the power. You can extend the pigtail to reach the controller, but I would use similar wire, not some cheapo thin stuff. For the limit switches, I actually bought connectors from pololu for this so I could plug into the board easily. Check out --> http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1901 they even make the wires precrimped if you don't want to spend the extra time making your own http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/72  If you have to solder any joints, just make sure they are well taped, shrink wrapped, etc. You can also install a connector in there, but I typically prefer to have a solid wire with only connections on the ends. The design of your cab will mostly dictate this and only you will know for sure where it might help to be able to break the wire and pull the motor controller out. For mine, I made a complete run with no other connections and put them in a harness. I also ran coin door, marquee light, top fan, etc, all in the same harness so the interior guts are nice and tidy.

The connections to the board will be 2 wires for power (Screw down terminals) and 4 connections (2 each) for the limit switches. That's it. The rest is all USB mini plug for the communication. Almost forgot, there are also two wires for the motor leads.

For the rotation, I actually prefer the axle design. I think that offers the least amount of drag and deflection. The issue with all these approaches is getting that axle mounted in the center of the monitor setup so it doesn't rotate lopsided. Remember, any lopsidedness with become evident when you try to make the bezel. One orientation or the other will not be perfectly centered top to bottom or left to right.

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