Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: makoslade24 on March 17, 2011, 10:45:17 AM

Title: Small servos?
Post by: makoslade24 on March 17, 2011, 10:45:17 AM

Hi how are you all doing? First off, I'm completely new to robot building. I'm good with electronics (I'm a circuit designer) but I've just never worked with any mechanical devices except for electric motors, so I have the knowledge but not the experience.

I know a decent amount about servos but I'm having some trouble finding the right ones for my needs. The servos I need will basically have no load on them, so minimal torque is needed, however they need to be as small as possible. Also, if possible, I'd like them to be quiet and energy efficient. And of course low cost is always a plus XD. So if anyone knows a good servo, or a resource that can point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Title: Re: Small servos?
Post by: garrettg84 on March 17, 2011, 01:26:58 PM

Hobbyking.com has servos of all kinds

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=287&curPage=11&v=&sortlist=P&LiPoConfig= (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=287&curPage=11&v=&sortlist=P&LiPoConfig=)

That would be page 11 of 11 price sorted decending (hence last page) of servos that are 10g and under in weight. Price will (likely) be < 5$ shipped per servo. They won't be quiet though. Servos are typically pretty noisy.

Title: Re: Small servos?
Post by: makoslade24 on March 17, 2011, 01:34:00 PM

Maybe I don't know as much as I thought. Do you know of any similar equivalent that would be quiet?

Title: Re: Small servos?
Post by: garrettg84 on March 17, 2011, 01:38:52 PM

Nothing that I'm aware of would really be quiet. If you went for the more expensive ones, they tend to be quieter due to smaller tolerances in their gears.

On a side note, avoid digital servos if you want quiet. They sound as if they are ALWAYS grinding when they are on. They are usually more acurate than their analog counterparts, but by far make more noise.

Maybe a tiny stepper motor would be better than a servo? A stepper can stay almost silent depending on what you are doing.

Title: Re: Small servos?
Post by: makoslade24 on March 17, 2011, 01:44:45 PM

Hmm that could work. The project I'm looking at is making a robot ferret that will simply sit on a person's shoulder and occasionally swish its tail and move its head around. Should be pretty fun for kids if I can get it to work =D