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Modular control panel using electromagnets?
Jimbo:
Interesting... I'm currently investigating using an electromagnet as a brake for my motorised rotating control panel design... I figure something that can hold 25KG would potentially be strong enough. Something along these lines... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201123846280
I'd be putting some shielding around it if I end up using something like this, that's for sure.
Solenoids are the other idea I've been toying with... but then its down to sticking pins into holes and I think accuracy will be pretty difficult to stop 100% of the movement.
Jakobud:
From what I've read in my investigations is that a normal SATA HDD will be affected by sitting near an electro magnet. However, an SSD will not be affected by sitting near an electro magnet. However there is the possibility of the SSD being damaged when the polarity of the magnet is changed (ie, when it is engaged/disengaged). The amount of possible damage depends on "how quickly" the change takes place. I will experiment with this and see what kind of dangers there really are. If an SSD is at the bottom of the cabinet I can't imagine some little electro magnets near the CP affecting it.
billthecat:
You could possibly use something like the mechanism in a gate/door that can be opened remotely. Basically, an electromagnet that pulled a bolt back when you wanted to change out the CP. So it would only be on while you were switching, and it would be very low power when it was on.
Something like these for the left and right sides of the cabinet:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4BJX9U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJ67O1A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and then a simple catch that you'd screw into the underside of each CP.
DaOld Man:
How about a catch like a door has. Just push the panel in place and it locks, then to remove it, have a solenoid pull the bolt(?) back to release the panel, and you could have springs that push the panel up so you can grip it and pull it away.
Of course you could also use bicycle brake cables to locate the solenoid away from the CP or anything else.
dkersten:
I just picked up an electromagnetic door catch that runs on 24volts and only uses .015 amps to power. It is going to be used to hold a door open that has spring hinges, and I am using a generic RF 24v momentary switch to remotely turn it off for a moment to get the door to release. This is for an executive office where the boss might need to close the door during a conversation or phone call and doesn't want to get up, walk around the desk, to the door to close it. I have had an electric motorized door closer for a while now, but it failed and the company went out of business, and the only ones I can find are designed for doors with power opener/closers on them. So I will use this setup in place of that.
The magnets are pretty strong when charged, has a rated strength of about 35 lbs of force, but you can get stronger (usually need 110 or 220v for stronger though). When disconnected, the magnet doesn't just go away, however, the coil seems to hold the charge until you apply some force to whatever is stuck to it. This is an issue for my application, so I will use a spring in conjunction with it to keep it just barely latched, that way I don't have to set the hinges too strong and have the door swing shut hard. I can see this working if you used it to secure a hinging CP. A single momentary button could be mounted anywhere on the cab as a release, and if you had a spring in there, pressing that button would just release it and allow it to pop up a little. Actually not a horrible idea. It isn't like the magnet is crazy strong and is wiping hard drives that sit a few feet away. The field is noticeable at a few inches away but otherwise pretty weak really.
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