looking for some inspiration

[ukracer]

I have a project I have been meaning to do for ages and everytime I think about it my mind goes blank.

essentially I am looking for a design where I can lower some items into paint to dip them. I am going to use either aluminum trays I will weld up to a custom size or plastic tubs if I can get the right size.he tubs will hold paint in and the mechanism I need to make is to lower things to a set depth.

I will start with a manual system and hopefully upgrade it to a motorized system later. I have some vague ideas on having a micro adjuster to allow for small increments but in the form of stops BUT its the lowering and raising mechanism I am stuck on.

Any suggestions appreciated?

 

[Robotstar5]

What sort of size, weight and depth of drop?

3 or 4 ideas already but depends on previous question.

 

[J.B. Welding]

?

 

[ukracer]

What sort of size, weight and depth of drop?

3 or 4 ideas already but depends on previous question.

Max drop 10 inches. very light weights. size is variable.

This might give you some idea.

 

[mike 109444]

Maybe don't lower the item but raise the tub of paint ?

 

[DanielW]

Why go all technical just for some floats?

Piece of polystyrene push the floats into polystyrene and get the bottom stems level with a block of wood or card,dip them in paint pot pull out and let them drip dry on plastic box..

Job done.

 

[ukracer]

Why go all technical just for some floats?

Piece of polystyrene push the floats into polystyrene and get the bottom stems level with a block of wood or card,dip them in paint pot pull out and let them drip dry on plastic box..

Job done.

Because i can. LOL There are a number of other reasons its not just floats but I cant stick it all on here in case it works. lol

 

[ukracer]

Maybe don't lower the item but raise the tub of paint ?

Another relevant question. yes its an option. I was working on the principle I need lots of colours of paint But that might work even better!!

 

[rtbcomp]

Pneumatic ram(s) may work, you can use a physical stop without burning them out. An electric motor would need limit switches and so on.

 

[Robotstar5]

Rack & pinion, use the parts from an old drill press (bench drill) see if it works OK by hand then stick a motor on the "handle" shaft later.

 

[Hitch]

How about an old scissor jack welded on an arm...cordless drill to operate.... a stop on the screw thread to limit travel...?

 

[julianf]

Ball screw driven axis and and stepper motor.... It just depends on how far past overkill you want to go! ; )

 

[rtbcomp]

How about an old scissor jack welded on an arm...cordless drill to operate.... a stop on the screw thread to limit travel...?

Used in screwdriver mode so the clutch slips when it hits the stop.

 

[DanielW]

Ball screw driven axis and and stepper motor.... It just depends on how far past overkill you want to go! ; )

He would need a stepper driver and a stepper motor speed controller for up and down pulsing.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stepper-m...ial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2c8620990a

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I have a project I have been meaning to do for ages and everytime I think about it my mind goes blank.

essentially I am looking for a design where I can lower some items into paint to dip them. I am going to use either aluminum trays I will weld up to a custom size or plastic tubs if I can get the right size.he tubs will hold paint in and the mechanism I need to make is to lower things to a set depth.

I will start with a manual system and hopefully upgrade it to a motorized system later. I have some vague ideas on having a micro adjuster to allow for small increments but in the form of stops BUT its the lowering and raising mechanism I am stuck on.

Any suggestions appreciated?

I have posted about these before and as of Thursday there is another redundant hospital bed in the scrap pile around the back of Frome hospital, complete with 12v linear actuators, limit switches, power supply and control box.
There is normally five linear actuators on one of these beds ranging in length from about 300mm maximum stroke to 600mm maximum stroke.
It will most probably sit there for a month or so until there is enough rubbish to fill a skip and then it will get chucked in.
If any one local wants it or bits off of it just help yourself.

 

[Maker]

Something like this:

You turn the handle at the top to move the bar in the middle but It could be easily swapped for a small (Nema 17) stepper motor. The paint pot is removable and 3" x 3" x 8".

 

[ukracer]

Rack & pinion, use the parts from an old drill press (bench drill) see if it works OK by hand then stick a motor on the "handle" shaft later.

I am half way to this method for now BUT I found exactly what I need. So trying to get in contact for some plans or advice...

 

[ukracer]

Any one looked at the videos yet?? Is that a single axis CNC that is used to dip the floats??

 

[Robotstar5]

It's difficult to see, the L/H upright nearest the camera has a slot in it so I thought it may be a ballscrew & ballnut drive but don't know what the object is on the top left of the moving table

 

[ukracer]

It's difficult to see, the L/H upright nearest the camera has a slot in it so I thought it may be a ballscrew & ballnut drive but don't know what the object is on the top left of the moving table

Yeah thats my problem also. But I think single axic CNC might do the job if I go that direction. I have been accepted as his friend on facebook and he is in Bosnia I think so lets see how much information is prepared to share

I also have a CNC engraver I need to get a power supply for so I can test the principle out sooner rather than later I hope.