Question for Engineers
 

I want to devise a machine where a metal door is opened, closed and held in a constant variable open position with electromagnets. the electro part would be tied to simple mechanical input, say the opening and closing of another door.

how difficult is something like this to mock-up?

Just make sure your are not standing anywhere near it if you (or your children) have magnets in your pants...

Your probably better off trying to come up with something like using a stepper motor to control the door, but i'm sure there's a way to do it.

Shaun,, what kind of door ? I sell linear servo motors ( all magnet driven) Check out the linear servos at www.nipponpulse.com let me know what you think..
T

I guess you could have the tracks lined with electromagnets and send a signal to the various magents would trigger a response. You could shift the polarity to make it step to the next position - think of a nuke accelerator.

Seems like a very expensive aprouch to a problem that can be solved with a chain, sprocket, worm & drive gear, motor and a servo.

thanks guys. I was a little vague on the action of the door, sorry.

the door won't swing open, but will slide open. so I need something that will pull the door open without a mechanical device like a gear or hinge, and it needs to be able to be carefully controlled on how far it opens, stays open, closes, etc.

Todd, sending you a mail.

How big of a "door" are we talking about? If this is a small application, I would modify a vacuum system gate valve. Of course, if you are talking about a "walk-through" door, this type of device is useless.

Just a thought,
-Nick

thanks Nick, the door is very small, something a mouse would go through. The door sliding open and closed has to be immediate and precise.

Is there porn involved? PLEASE POST VIDEO.

We use fully electric control valves like this. Look for "Electric Actuators"

Nope, just a bad attempt at creating a closed system for slide valve throttle bodies that won't be prone to sticking with particulate contamination. offline folks have set me straight.

I'm going to focus on standard mechanical action with frictionless coatings.

How tight does the seal have to be? Airtight? Will it have to keep back a fluid? Is the speed of actuion a concern?