DIY Reciprocating Cycle Linear Actuator 12V 15rpm Big Torque Stroke 12mm 16mm 20mm Adjustable for DIY Design Shale Shaker

Great for diy projects

Very rugged and durable but I screwed up and ordered the wrong one I got the 15 RPM and I should have got the 150 RPM this was intended to use for a DIY dirt classifier for gold prospecting!

This rotation to translation mechanism was used to calibrate the acceleration vs. the voltage output of an accelerometer. This particular unit runs at a low rpm speed using a geared motor. Ashtonishly, the mechanism is well built and the offset circular to linear linkage offers three different radius positions which allows three different linear displacements. We purchased (separately) a 550 rpm motor that fit the apparatus to allow for a faster rpm. You and your students will enjoy using this mechanism. The physics behind the relationship between rotation angle and translation is fastenating.

Very low torque

The actuator works perfectly, and can be adjusted in speed using a DC Motor Speed Control Potentiometer. But note that the chart in the description images is misleading: suggesting a wide range of speeds in RPM. The motor only operates at 15 RPM with max 12 V. I measured my linear actuator and it is actually running at 30 RPM, so a 2 second period of fore-aft vibration. A Potentiometer can slow that down, but you won't get the hundreds of RPMs suggested in the table. I am not sure why they even include that whole misleading info in the description currently.

The linear bearings used in this are impressively low quality, and they have the most play I've ever seen in a bearing. That said, the actuator does do its job and moves back and forth repeatedly. You'll want to add additional linear constraints if those are important for your application. I stopped using this after 4 days because the play in the linear bearings became too significant for my jig, so I don't have a good sense of overall lifetime.

very nicely made. I like it.