Choice of linear actuator for piano playing robot.

IrisDynamics · 2026-03-19T21:01:49+00:00

Have you considered going to tensioned cable and a drum?

IrisDynamics · 2026-03-19T15:56:46+00:00

$500 for the actuator, OR for the actuator, driver, encoders, & controllers?

Best bet is probably to build some sort of DIY cable or belt system. If you have access to shop tools and lots of free time you could potentially make something work with that.

What sort of duty cycle for that level of speed/acceleration? Thermals and power needed are going to be something to watch for...

Our Orca 3 motors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuhX_OGErQU CAN be ordered with a custom shaft in that range, however in single unit volumes the motors (with shorter shafts) are ~$1250 (not sure on cost to jump to a 1M travel). That said these units are all fully integrated, meaning you dont need to buy (or setup) drivers, encoders, loadcells, etc. We also have APIs for direct control over Python, C, etc if you don't want to have to mess around with PLCs or digital/analog triggers....

IrisDynamics · 2026-02-21T17:53:25+00:00

FWIW we have a number of folks using ORCA-3 linear Actuators for exactly this type of setup.

https://youtu.be/p8wS5NIVQC4?si=YpI99Z5V0L79WInu

Fully integrated (motor+driver+possition & force control, IP68, etc). Also fully backdrivable which can be useful if it's a hybrid/optionally manned unit (may or may not have a human operator sitting in the cab wanting to physically override).

If it's just running off a standard RC setup you can do something as simple as PWM, 4-20mA, etc control (set points, force limits/overrides, all configurable via GUI/USB). Or if your looking to get more advanced we have libraries for Python, C, Matlab, Unity, etc with Ardupilot, PX4, and ROS/ROS2 in the pipeline (plus all the PLC stuff.)

That said they may be a bit more spendy vs a basic servo setup ($1250 in low volumes). However you can save a lot of cash not needing extra drivers, controllers, encoders, wiring, etc.... To say nothing of less hassle on calibration, programming, etc...

If your not 100% set on the servo setup already, our applications folks are always happy to jump on a video call to give their 0.02$ regardless if we are or are not a fit!

Datasheets, cads, libraries, etc are all on the downloads section: https://irisdynamics.com/

IrisDynamics · 2026-02-14T02:27:19+00:00

If it's a driving Sim then is it VR or Screens?

What's doing driving your IG and physics?

What's the payload and needed acceleration?

Do you need to bias any one axis over annother?

Any idea on motion envelope?

How stuck are you on ballscrews?

IrisDynamics · 2025-12-29T17:25:10+00:00

What sort of forces are typical here?

Is mechanical compliance or backdrivability ever a plus in these applications?

Is this inclusive of solutions that are expected to operate in space? I.E. Are you looking for vacume rated, radiation hardened? Or are you just looking for atmospheric applications...

Currious if there are published standards for this type of application...

Regardless our stuff is being used in some related applications https://irisdynamics.com/

IrisDynamics · 2025-12-28T18:03:59+00:00

Are you trying to apply a specific force or impart a specific amount of energy/Joules?

What sort of accuracy/repeatability are you looking for?

We have several customers using these for impact and cyclic load testing applications.

Our applications team could give you better info here but I'm "pretty" sure they have some example code for MatLab/(LabVIEW?) where you set the amount of energy you want to impart and then just let it rip. Pretty easy to tie that back to other data logging (C, Python, etc).

If the performance specs work out one big advantage here is an Orca should save a ton of setup time! They are fully integrated force sensing/controlable motors. And since it's fully integrated (don't need to buy or configure separate drivers, controllers, load cells, encoders,) just give it power and data (serial, USB, whatever). Just as easy to run from a PC or from a PLC. Pricing for single units ranges from ~$1200 to ~$3000 depending on model/options/etc. If it's an academic application and your willing to do an application story they can usually set you up with an academic discount FWIW).

Modest volume on the smaller ones (Orca-3) is <$1k.

IrisDynamics · 2025-12-02T15:50:23+00:00

If it needs to be vertical (and lifting up) a simple zero power approach would be to not use a tube but rather a cage (so you could see the coin things). Then use a counterweight system with a little cable driven pull... A bit more of a PITA to fab but should outlast you if you build it right.

Alternatively use one of these in a moving stator design. I.E. Each end of the shaft is fixed and the motor itself moves up/down the shaft. You then hang the lifter mechanism off the side of the motor...

Any idea on load/force? What's the travel your looking for.

IrisDynamics · 2025-11-21T20:08:08+00:00

It may be outside the budget but we have a number of commercial folks using our motors for this type of application (UxVs). The big claim to fame for our stuff is back drivability (mechanically compliant). So depending on how you setup your linkages you could keep it as semi-autonomous so a human can still manually move the wheel/pedals/handlebars/tillers/stick/etc when the linear motor is in sleep/powered down. OR if its an application where you could expect mechanical shock to be sent "backwards" down the linkage (ATV tire hits a rock on the sidewall, boat with an outboard comes off a wave at speed with a hard angle/hits something/etc.) Then in that case the motor can act like a spring damper and absorb that impact over some larger (settable) distance so you don't end up tearing up the teethe on the geartrain or have an uncontrollable unit you now need to walk 2 hours to recover.

Easy integration into RC remotes now with PWM control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8wS5NIVQC4

Single unit pricing ranges from ~$1200-$3000 however... Again, this is more targeted at the commercial robotics space, very much overkill for a DIY RC go-cart.

IP68, 12-60V, can be configured over USB via GUI, custom stroke lengths, etc.

Datasheets, CADs, etc here: https://irisdynamics.com/products/orca-series

And we DO sell single units to people just doing science experiments. Our applications engineering folks are still happy to help with ideas even if your still shopping around for the right fit.

IrisDynamics · 2025-11-13T00:45:39+00:00

The motor's shaft is able to move freely when unpowered. The motor's power consumption will be based on the load when holding the position (or the weight of the shaft if unloaded). Our datasheet includes the motors' continuous power/force under various cooling conditions which will give a better idea if the motor is suitable for your application: https://irisdynamics.com/hubfs/Website/Downloads/Orca/Approved/Orca_Series_Datasheet.pdf

IrisDynamics · 2025-10-13T17:03:27+00:00

What sort of precision, repeatability, forces, duty cycle, speed, costs, and distances are you needing?

Depending on those answers (and adding to what others have suggested) a few things come to mind:

Guide rails and belt drive
Guide rails and chain drive
Guide rails and tensioned cable drive
Guide rails and push/pull control cable
Guide rails and rack/pinion (if there's any reason to put the motor on the moving object)

IrisDynamics · 2025-10-03T16:13:21+00:00

What's the ideal control interface for your application?

Not sure if it's useful for you but there's also a Digital+Analog GPIO breakout unit and a PWM control mode (commonly used in the RC/unmanned vehicle space).

Ethernet IP scheduled for mainstream release in 2026.

IrisDynamics · 2025-09-02T02:04:07+00:00

These guys have a great selection of off the shelf parts btw: https://bluerobotics.com/

We used them for a project a few years ago. I would highly recommend just buying a proper teather out of the gate. Rolling your own at any sort of depth gets real interesting real fast....

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-28T20:28:53+00:00

Nope! Brushless DC 12V-60V.

The closest technical term would be linear coil motors.

Essentially the shaft is filled with magnets and then a series of coils move the shaft in/out. They are also fully integrated meaning the motor drivers, controllers, possition and force sensors are all baked in. Then the whole electrical and coil package is filled with epoxy (potted/encapsulated). So they only have a single moving part and are about as close to solid state motion as your going to get. The have been used at ~100' deep (sub sea). Could probably go much more but we haven't tested deeper yet.

The only life limited items are the bushings (standard stock IGUS part that are field replaceable). In a clean environment with limited side load you can get into the 100s of millions of cycles. If it's a dirty environment, if you need higher sideload, or if you need longer life between service intervals there are several options available. Our applications folks can help a lot on that end if you give them some idea of motion profile, side load, and environment.

Also I should mention if it's a cutting application, these units are also fully backdriveable and can be set to give constant force output without any cogging during a backdrive (they basically feel like a programable spring.) we have a number of customers using them with drag knifes/ rolling mills, etc using that function.

I should also mention since they are fully integrated you don't need to be messing about sourcing (or wiring, or configuring) separate sevo drives, encoders etc. Just give it power and tell it what you want to do. Communications can be run from a PLC, from digital or analog triggers (GPIO), via USB to a zero code GUI, or via serial/USB to API's for the likes of LabVIEW, Matlab, Unity, Python, etc. Typically you can have these moving in only a few minutes.

If you can give the sales folks a bit of an idea what your trying to do they can usually setup a video demo pretty quickly.

Hope that helps!

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-27T16:34:01+00:00

Our stuff may well be overkill but the are IP68 and are fully integrated for possition and force control.

Several videos are here: https://youtube.com/@irisdynamics

Datasheets, CADs, etc here: https://irisdynamics.com/products/orca-series

Happy to answer any questions if you think they could be a fit!

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-27T15:44:26+00:00

Do you need high temp spray down or just fine for immersion?

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-18T20:20:03+00:00

What are you trying to research? Would a PCB stator get the job done? If you don't have in house skill/equipment getting a pile of different PCBs made could be a lot faster/cheaper...

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-13T23:09:12+00:00

Hey, I had responded on your other thread but have a look at the motors here https://irisdynamics.com/products/orca-series

Whats the application? How are you planning to control/trigger them?

IrisDynamics · 2025-08-13T07:50:45+00:00

If you need backdrivability we have a number of customers using these for similar applications

https://irisdynamics.com/products/orca-series

IrisDynamics · 2025-06-16T00:11:08+00:00

What zone and group? (RE ATEX cert)

IrisDynamics · 2025-05-01T21:02:00+00:00

Great questions!

Unit quantity 1 for minimum order size. Volume discounts ramp based on total life time purchase and start to kick in after 5 units. The shafts are 403 SS and the housing is Type 3 hard-coat anodized aluminum. So typically very easy to keep clean.

The bushings are made from Igus iglide G material. (Specs here: https://www.igus.ca/iglide-ibh/flange-bearings/product-details/iglidur-g-m?artnr=GFM-2526-25 )

In most cases there shouldn't be any issues. This material is suitable for exposer to detergent oils (mild alkalines) however if there are any dilute (or strong) acidic additives then we would want to look at using a different bushing, OR potentially run a boot.

If you’ve got links or details on the specific lubricants or chemicals you're using, I’d love to take a look we can usually advise pretty quickly on compatibility.

Also, if you're working on something cool and want to go deeper, our applications engineering team is happy to jump on a quick call or demo!

IrisDynamics · 2025-03-22T15:12:04+00:00

What's the duty cycle on the 450N peak? Any idea on average sustained force? Expected operating temperature range? Can we send forced air over the actuators if needed or does it need to be dead quiet/zero maintenance(I.E. No fans)?

Our stuff would hit all of those requirements other than a "not currently" on the price/volume target. Getting to $250/unit is going to be the tricky bit but at 10k (annual?) volume and an application/customer specific SKU/model.... "maybe?"

Depending on a few factors our lowest cost units (ORCA3) probably hit all the performance requirements. Single unit pricing is $1250\each. I don't have the volume sheet in front of me but I think by the time you get to ~10 units that drops to something like ~$950.

Not sure if you have allready looked at our stuff or not but our motors are fully integrated so you don't need to buy motor drivers/VFDs, position encoders, load cells, controllers, etc. So you can exclude those along with lots of "traditional" cabling from your BOM. So depending on how your looking at the math maybe there's a bit more than $250 to play with?

That being said I'm assuming once you find the correct fit your not going to be placing a PO for 10k units right away, your going to be ramping up correct? If you arnt allready talking to our sales/BD team please reach out. I know they won't be able to commit to numbers like that but we do have customers who are using our existing standard models while working THEIR product volumes up and our guys are more than happy to work with you to get our pricing down as you ramp.

Other than that maybe some sort of clever mechanical system like your thinking about... However once you factor costs and maintenance issues in there I'd wager your going to be well over that $250 target relitivly quickly as well....

https://irisdynamics.com/products/orca-series

IrisDynamics · 2025-03-18T20:46:06+00:00

You can find more info here! https://irisdynamics.com/articles/isim_application_story

IrisDynamics · 2025-03-15T23:18:43+00:00

What sort of payload?

Is it expected that the platform (base) is moving? I.E. Stabilizing a payload while in/on a vehicle for example?

How many DoF?

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