topic 90° conversion of linear actuator in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

90° conversion of linear actuator

AagAag — Fri, 03 May 2019 06:13:09 GMT

I have a linear actuator that moves a piston vertically (see pic). I would like to position the actuator horizontally and create a design that converts the linear movement by 90°. I was wondering whether a good soul might advise me on how to best to do that. Please consider that all parts will be printed with a Formslab SLS printer, i.e. with relatively hard resin but no metal. I can add standard metal parts such as bolts and nuts, but no custom-made metal.

I understand that this is a general design question rather than a specific Fusion topic, but maybe there are Fusion-specific tricks to achieve what I need.

The design can be downloaded here: https://a360.co/2GS5bx

Many thanks for any thoughts and suggestions that you might have!

Re: 90° conversion of linear actuator

chrisplyler — Fri, 03 May 2019 15:41:00 GMT

To convert linear motion from one direction to another, you can use a control arm on a pivot along with push rods, a wedge or angled slot, a flexible push/pull cable, a pulley and belt or sprocket and chain arrangement, two rack-and-pinion gear sets, two hydraulic pistons connected by a hose, etc, etc, etc.

Depending on the method used and the specific details of the implementation, the 1:1 ratio of the motion conversion may or may not may not be retained.

Re: 90° conversion of linear actuator

AagAag — Fri, 03 May 2019 16:07:38 GMT

Thanks. The piston of the actuator will move only 5-6 mm. I am currently playing with this design. Does it make any sense?

Re: 90° conversion of linear actuator

chrisplyler — Fri, 03 May 2019 17:25:35 GMT

Sure that makes sense. You can change the relationship of the input movement to the output movement by varying the two profiles. Is it safe to assume that the driven side will be kept on the output profile via gravity, and that will keep the input profile against the driving actuator push rod as well?

Re: 90° conversion of linear actuator

AagAag — Sat, 04 May 2019 10:43:44 GMT

That may indeed be a problem. I was thinking of using a spring, but that's a mess. I will try to design a slotted rocker.