Linear Motion Actuators

Brief Explanation:

This project is mainly developed to produce the technical advancement in the Industries to finish the work faster and easier. For that thing, I chose this project. If I want to make it easier, I have to implement heavy motors to carry heavy loads with less effort. So that, I come up with the idea to implement Ball Screw after I read several things I got the knowledge about the ball screws which is much advantageous than any other screws. Next step, I have to give automation here. Mostly people in the industries are familiar with the CNC Codes and it is also very easy to write in the Interface. So that, I choose the software concept called GRBL and Hardware Arduino for easy prototyping. To rotate the Ball screw shaft, I need one motor and after I go through several things I chose the Stepper Motor for its high torque with precision achievement. At last I finished the project successfully and I got the result as I expected.  

Detailed Explanation from the Initial Stage:

Design Layout:

Arduino - GRBL Pin Configuration:

COMPONENT SELECTION APPROACH

Step 1:

First the suitable guide ways and sliding bed are selected randomly with some approximation dimensions. The guide ways material is much economical with the high hardness (60-64).

Step 2:

And the ball screw is chosen based on the cost and material ball screw output. 14mm diameter screw shaft is much economical and the desire movement can be achieved with this. With that the pillow block bearing is also chosen for the 14mm ball screw shaft.

Step 3:

Aluminium channels are selected to make the frame for the actuator. It is very light weight and little expensive compared to cast iron.

Step 4:

Autonics stepper motor is chosen because of its high torque and its good quality and brand.

Step 5:

Power source is selected on the requirement of the stepper motor.

FABRICATION APPROACH

Step 1:

First the long aluminium channels are cut into the pieces using the cutting machine as per the required dimension.

Step 2:

And the guide ways are mounted in the aluminium channels using the channel bolts and nuts. First mounting frame is over.

Step 3:

Sliders are made to slide after the mounting construction is over.

Step 4:

Sliding bed and sliders are bolted together after alignment test. In alignment test, the sliding bed is made to slide on the guide ways and alignment is done by moving the sliding bed along with the slider from one end of the guide ways to another.

Step 5:

After that ball screw is fitted in the machine after the proper alignment test and ball screw nut is fitted to the sliding bed with the bolts and nuts.

Step 6:

And the motor shaft is coupled with the ball screw shaft with the use of Oldham coupling. Here, the motor is mounted in the special type of frame. Two L-Bends are drilled as per the motor dimension holes and L-bends are fixed to the channels. Motor is mounted on the L-bends and the motor and bends are bolted together.

WORKING SUMMARY

Power source usually the Switch Mode Power Supply is used for the power supply for the Stepper Motor Controller. Arduino Board is connected to the Stepper Motor Controller using the Jump Wires. Using the Arduino IDE software, the grbl program is executed in the Arduino Board.

          Separate Pin Configurations available in the Arduino Digital/Analog pins which control different signal from the arduino to the Stepper Motor Controller. Here, Candle-Grbl Controller is used as the User Interface Software. Using this, the CNC program is written in the Command area and it is executed in this. And Various options are available in the interface to control the Actuator easily.

          Signal from the Arduino is sent to  the Stepper  Motor Controller. Stepper Motor Pulse, Direction and Enable terminals are connected to the Stepper motor. This controller sends the signal to the stepper motor to rotate at the particular speed and steps/revolution.

Stepper Motor output shaft is connected to the screw shaft of the Ball screw. When the Motor rotates the screw shaft also rotates which reciprocates the nut of the Ball screw. Ball screw nut is connected to the sliding bed also slides along the guide ways. Here the ball screw changes the rotary motion of the motor into linear motion. 

                                                   

                                                  Images of the Project:

 Need full report of the project or doubts mail me at marirenu141@gmail.com

All the best!!!