Help with force-detection in a motor for a linear actuation system

[HarryAussie]

I am looking to set up a motor to drive a linear actuation system (in a lead-screw configuration). It is important that the linear actuation system detects any resistance from a physical object, which in turn will make the motor stop. This obviously protects the motor from stalling, but it also prevents damage to whatever object is being impacted.

My current approach is to measure the current through the motor and set up a current limit such that the motor stops after it reaches a certain high current level. I intend to vary this current limit after some experimentation.

What motor and motor-driver arrangement could work to set this up? Initial searches have proven hard to find motor drivers that measure current (i.e., provide current measurement output signals)! Stepper motors look to be insufficient for this task since their current draw does not fluctuate much during operation under varying loads, so I suspect that servo motors or brushless DC motors are a more suitable choice. I intend to control the system via a Raspberry Pi, and the linear actuation system is small (only 500mm long for the time being).

I am more of a software engineer so apologies if this question is basic to the hardware-savvy folks out there!

 

[Alec_t]

It is important that the linear actuation system detects any resistance from a physical object

Welcome to maker.pro!
Can you give us an idea of the motor power and the magnitude of any obstructional resistance you are hoping to detect? The solution may be quite different for small-scale low power systems and massive heavy-duty ones.

 

[Kiwi]

John Brooks in Christchurch NZ supplied me a current limiter to go with a Linak linear actuator.
It goes in series with the actuator and cuts it out if the current gets above a set limit.
You could try the Aussie Linak agents.

​

 

[Minder]

What is the nature of the motor control, If any? ,or is it power ON/OFF?
Motor current is very high at turn on, if not controlled.

 

[Bluejets]

I am looking to set up a motor to drive a linear actuation system

What ranges of power requirement, voltage, AC or DC etc.

 

[Delta Prime]

I am more of a software engineer so apologies if this question is basic to the hardware-savvy folks out there!

Cross-disciplined. Write some code; a control software algorithm that continuously monitors motor current and compares it to the set threshold: This allows for immediate action when resistance is detected.
Consider incorporating a short delay or hysteresis into the algorithm: This can help prevent false triggering due to transient current spikes during normal operation of the motor.
Then you can incorporate additional sensors (e.g., force sensors, load cells are made to detect Force),integrate their readings into the control algorithm for more comprehensive protection.
A motor with soft start & ramp down can help reduce mechanical stress on the system & protect both the
motor and the object.

 

[Bluejets]

Cross-disciplined. Write some code; a control software algorithm that continuously monitors motor current and compares it to the set threshold: This allows for immediate action when resistance is detected.
Consider incorporating a short delay or hysteresis into the algorithm: This can help prevent false triggering due to transient current spikes during normal operation of the motor.
Then you can incorporate additional sensors (e.g., force sensors, load cells are made to detect Force),integrate their readings into the control algorithm for more comprehensive protection.
A motor with soft start & ramp down can help reduce mechanical stress on the system & protect both the
motor and the object.

Bit of an overkill I think...just monitor motor current with a by-pass to allow for startup...done.

 

[HarryAussie]

Welcome to maker.pro!
Can you give us an idea of the motor power and the magnitude of any obstructional resistance you are hoping to detect? The solution may be quite different for small-scale low power systems and massive heavy-duty ones.

Thanks, Alec! It's important that this system is low-power since it will run off a battery in a remote area on the farm - so the motor will be around 6V, ~1A. The resistance will be created from small pieces of food, so the current limit should be high enough to push the food forward and detect once all the pieces are secured against the wall. Hopefully this helps!

 

[HarryAussie]

John Brooks in Christchurch NZ supplied me a current limiter to go with a Linak linear actuator.
It goes in series with the actuator and cuts it out if the current gets above a set limit.
You could try the Aussie Linak agents.

​

Thanks Kiwi - I was originally tempted to purchase a linear actuator but I've designed the box in such a way that I'll fit my own version of a linear actuator in there.

 

[HarryAussie]

If I go with a 6V brushless DC motor, does anyone have any recommendations for a suitable current measuring sensor? It sounds like it may be the best approach to write a current limiting algorithm, using the outputs from that sensor. I'll take the advice from @Delta Prime to take into account the transient current spikes - especially at startup. Perhaps the algorithm could stop the motor if the current spike is detected for more than 1-2seconds - this would surely ignore the transient spikes?

 

[Harald Kapp]

Here's an alternative idea:

Mount the slider that pushes the pieces of food to the pushing rod using an elastic buffer, e.g. a spring.
Mount a simple limit switch between the rod and the slider. Adjust the spring tension such that the limit switch will be activated when the pressure reaches the threshold. You can use e.g. a nut on a threaded rod to adjust the tension.
Use the output from the limit switch for whatever purpose you need (stop the motor, indicate end position, ...).
I'll try to visualize the idea: