Can you help me order parts for this simple DC motor assembly?
October 12, 2023 4:51 PM Subscribe
I would like to build a snow machine for a theatrical production. The only part I don't know how to order is the little motor, because I don't know the names of the parts. Video + specs inside.
If you look at 1:07 in this video, take a look at the little rotary motor mounted to the back panel. It has a (wheel?) mounted to its axle, with an arm that is mounted to the (wheel?) to translate rotary movement into linear motion, used to move the dowel + screen assembly back and forth.
(You can see the problem with my vocabulary; thanks for your patience.)
I think I can recreate that assembly with these parts:
5 RPM gear motor
Mounting bracket
(12v power supply of some kind -- I assume I can just clip the socket off the end of a 12v adapter and use the bare wires)
I cannot figure out what the other little parts are called, and which ones to buy. Can you help?
Thank you!
If you look at 1:07 in this video, take a look at the little rotary motor mounted to the back panel. It has a (wheel?) mounted to its axle, with an arm that is mounted to the (wheel?) to translate rotary movement into linear motion, used to move the dowel + screen assembly back and forth.
(You can see the problem with my vocabulary; thanks for your patience.)
I think I can recreate that assembly with these parts:
5 RPM gear motor
Mounting bracket
(12v power supply of some kind -- I assume I can just clip the socket off the end of a 12v adapter and use the bare wires)
I cannot figure out what the other little parts are called, and which ones to buy. Can you help?
Thank you!
Response by poster: I could make it out of wood, but I'm having trouble visualizing fitting the wood piece to the axle.
Standard metal parts would be delightful. No idea what to call them or how to buy them.
posted by argybarg at 6:33 PM on October 12, 2023
Standard metal parts would be delightful. No idea what to call them or how to buy them.
posted by argybarg at 6:33 PM on October 12, 2023
Apparently you can buy a clone on Amazon for $100.
posted by kschang at 8:03 PM on October 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by kschang at 8:03 PM on October 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Maybe this video will give you some ideas. It's 3D-printed but building a wooden equivalent seems totally doable.
The hardest part is attaching things to the axle, but get this "mounting hub" and then I think the rest will fall into place.
posted by mpark at 10:46 PM on October 12, 2023
The hardest part is attaching things to the axle, but get this "mounting hub" and then I think the rest will fall into place.
posted by mpark at 10:46 PM on October 12, 2023
Response by poster: I think "mounting hub" was the clue I needed. Thanks!
posted by argybarg at 7:29 AM on October 13, 2023
posted by argybarg at 7:29 AM on October 13, 2023
In the drawing for your linked gear motor, the diameter of the output shaft is given as 12mm, so just make sure that the hub you select will fit.
Especially if this is for a school or community theater, if you get stuck on the engineering, try reaching out to your local high school or middle school FIRST robotics team; that's just the kind of community project they'd probably love to help with (assuming it's not build season or competition season!)
posted by xedrik at 11:45 AM on October 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Especially if this is for a school or community theater, if you get stuck on the engineering, try reaching out to your local high school or middle school FIRST robotics team; that's just the kind of community project they'd probably love to help with (assuming it's not build season or competition season!)
posted by xedrik at 11:45 AM on October 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
The shaft itself is 6mm in diameter with one flat side. The 12mm dimension is for what I guess is a bearing.
posted by mpark at 12:01 PM on October 13, 2023
posted by mpark at 12:01 PM on October 13, 2023
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it can be made out of wood and fasteners, figuring out the lengths of the wood pieces can be calculated, but you'll probably want to just experiment to get lengths that work for you.
posted by Dr. Twist at 6:04 PM on October 12, 2023 [2 favorites]