Why no linear actuators?

[BadMouth]

Is there a reason that I haven't seen a linear actuator used in any of the projects on here?

I planned to tinker this weekend using scrap pvc pipe in place of the actuator to see how long of a stroke it would need,
but I'm wondering if there's some reason I haven't seen others do it this way.

I'm guessing it's just a $$$ thing, but thought I should ask to make sure.

[drventure]

Did you see my Jukebox build?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=115860.0

The LA I used there worked a treat. Much better than my homemade attempt (though I'm keeping the acme screws for some future project).

I picked mine up from surpluscenter.com

Not super cheap, but they're nice quality LAs

I also picked up a Figelli Automations Actuator off ebay, wasn't +quite+ what I needed when I got it, so it too will likely be going into some future build. But, damn, they're nice actuators.

[BadMouth]

Hadn't seen that jukebox before.  I like it!  My current jukebox is just a monitor stuck on the wall.  Been in need of a redesign for a while.

Anyways, I was talking about using an actuator for monitor rotation.
Something like the attached picture.
(of course the base of the actuator would have to pivot since the other end wouldn't be travelling in a straight line)

The linear actuator that I was looking at has built in adjustable limit switches.
My thinking is that it will cost more, but will be less work to make and fine-tune.
I'm also hoping to keep the rotating mount thin and made out of metal to avoid using a bulky MDF circle.

[EightBySix]

Genius 

[jimmy2x2x]

Looks like a great idea!

[DaOld Man]

Ive been experimenting with a linear actuator:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=119378.0

[drventure]

I'm going to either use an LA to rotate the monitor on my Buffet project or (preferably) a gear motor connected to a collection of grandfather clock pulleys and brass wire (that'd just look better in my case)

electrically, though, it'll be basically the same thing.

I'd think the trick using a Linear actuator for rotating the monitor will be to either have an LA with built in, settable limit switches (those can get $$$), or to wire up your own limit switches, just requires 2 switches and two diodes mainly.

[BadMouth]

This is the one I was looking at.  I like the cheap way the adjustable limit switches are done. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Linear-Actuator-200lb-Adjustable-Stroke-12-Volt-DC-/130401166374?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5c83e426&vxp=mtr

My primary concern was noise and speed.  (noise becomes a bigger concern the longer it takes to rotate)
At .354 inch/sec, this thing would take over 28 seconds lock to lock. 

Using the 4" stroke version and moving the pivot point closer to the center of the monitor would get it down to 11.3 seconds.
Still way too long IMO.

The speed given says at 50% load.  I'm wondering how much faster it is with next to no load.

DaOld Man's test setup does the job in less than 4 seconds, which looks about the speed I would want.
It takes that long for some of the games to boot anyway.

[drventure]

I probably wouldn't use that one. The "Heavy duty" would seem to imply that's it's geared really low to enable it to move more weight, which you don't need.

Did you check out the LAs at SurplusCenter.com? Mine was 80$ or so, it's got a 14" travel that it'll do in about 13-14 seconds (about 1" per second), and it does that with just about any amount of weight on it that would be reasonable in a cab. The thing was originally used to unfurl awnings on RV's.

[drventure]

Also, have you seen DarthPaul's automated cabinet?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=116929.new;topicseen#new

He's got motion out the wazoo going on there 

[BadMouth]

Didn't make nearly as much progress as I wanted over the weekend.
Basically just figured out the offset to get the monitor centered and collected some parts.  

I have the back part of a tv mount like this one I will use as a frame to build on:

I'm hoping that I'll be able to mount the actuator horizontally and keep everything compact.
 
Ordered this actuator this morning:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=5-1778-A&catname=
It looked like the fastest one they had (average speed is 1.5"/sec)

....this is for a 27" LCD btw.  

(I'll post further updates to the project thread once I have something to show)

EDIT: Project thread http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=119308.0

[drventure]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!