Here is an issue I am trying to resolve. I have a machine that has wheels in front and a bar in the back. When you move the bar down the wheels move up and when you push the bar up the wheels in front go down. I want to automate that with linear actuator and arduino. Now I want to move the bar down every 1 minute or X minutes and move down after every X minute. For example below
Expand:::
Starting point
0min - position 0
1 min - Position 20 Actuator expand
2 min - Position move 20 more Actuator expand
3 min - Position move 20 more Actuator expand
4 min - Position move 20 more Actuator expand
5 min - Position move 20 more Actuator expand
--- at this time the actuator is fully expanded -- let's suppose 14 inches expand ---
Retract:::
After it's fully expanded and stayed in that position for X minute let's say 5 minutes..
Then start retracting
0min - position hold for 5min or 10 min
1 min - retract to position 80
2 min - retract to position 60
3 min - retract to position 40
4 min - retract to position 20
5 min - retract to position 0
Now any position I would like to be able to hold the position for X minute and then after meeting the holding time it would start retracting and hold next position.
This way every minute my machine bar that I am trying to move will move Down and then Up etc..
What things I need to buy?
I am thinking
14 inch Linear actuator
Dual relay?
Arduino box?
You need to design your system first before you buy anything.
Think about how all your proposed components are going to be wired together.
Think about the voltages and current you need from your power supply.
Think about how that power is going to be deliver. I am assuming battery but what voltage and capacity will it have and do you need any voltage converters.
Think about why you need a relay and could this be replaced by a bipolar transistor or an FET.
Think about how your actuator knows where it is. That normally involves a limit switch (using a micro switch) and some sort of calibration routine every time the Arduino is powered up.
Think about how the mechanics of that will be implemented.
Also think about how you are going to write the software. It sounds like you need a state machine type approach. Do you know what that means?
Think about what time you have to complete this project.
Start off by drawing a block diagram and all the components. Then extend this to a schematic. Do not even think about trying to do this project without a schematic.
Here is a thing. I am totally new and I don't understand a thing about any of this. I have a concept in mind and seen videos that it will resolve my problem.
Now you mentioned I need a switch? I don't want any button or switch involved in this. All I know I will have to electric there this machine I have, and will use 12v or 24v converter.. the Machine I need to move up and down is not even 10 pounds..
I just need something that will move up certain CM - hold for x minute then move up another few CM and hold etc and then retract after full expand hold.
Anyone can help guide and design? Or is there a freelancer that can help guide?
What exactly are you expecting this forum to do for you?
We are not a code writing service, nor a circuit design service. If you want that I can transfer this post to a place where people could offer to that for you for a fee. Say how much you are willing to pay.
What we aim to do here is to help you get it right.
Then may I suggest that at the moment this topic is beyond your current knowledge, and you should scale things back and do small incremental experiments that do very simple things, like read a button, light an LED, turn a motor on and off, and so forth.
That, in terms of an actuator to move it, requires a big motor, or a lot of gearing.
It may be a bit spendy, but to the extent that time is money a huge win.
The programming for what you've described is nearly trivial, and will only get more complicate if (when?) you realize the possibilities of such a system taking on a larger roll.
You can mock up most of this with an online simulator, this one is top of the heap just now
Where you might also start working up to the real code by carefully trying the many beginner's examples on offer through the Arduino IDE.
The kind of actuator we have in mind would be programmed just as if it were a small servo.
Thank you for the reply. All I want from this forum is to guide me what products to buy to accomplish my task. I feel this can definitely be done but I do know with my current knowledge it will be difficult..
So this actuator will be attached to the poll as base and top of this actuator that extend will be attached to the horizontal bar. Once the actuator extends it will move the horizontal bar up - which will move the wheels in front down.. and when the actuator retract then the wheel in front attached to the bar will move up.
The only thing is I want this to be totally automate with time increments.. expand and retract. As I am the only one handling this machine - I want it to be automated.. otherwise I have to get another person to manually move the horizontal bar up and down while I am picking the items coming out of wheel one by one..
The base will be metal plate with a galvanized pipe. On the pipe will have Linear actuator sit. The other end of actuator will attach to blue horizontal bar.. once the actuator expand the horizontal bar will go up and down..
Basically when kids are batting infront of it, I have other kids standing by this blue horizontal bar to move it up and down. At times there are no one except single kid want to practice on his own. Now he can only practice with one pitch direction. By having this actuator go up and down every minute and holding each position for let's say 10 mins, that kid can practice different lenght of pitches solely.
You will need an actuator with position feedback, trying to position by timing does not work very well, position will vary with direction, input voltage, mechanical wear, temperature, etc.
Look for an actuator controlled like an RC servo, that would be easiest to program.
