Beginers guide to limit switches

[ady]

To control the limit of a Gimson actuator I need to fit limit switches, I have no idea on this but at a guess I think I would need some micro switches, would I attach something to the shaft of the actuator so when it reaches a certain point on open and close it would activate the switch???
like I say I have no idea on this one!!!

[RogueTwoRobots]

Yeah that would be the most straightforward way to do it. Here's a wiring diagram from the Gimson Robotics website. You need a diode in line with each switch so that they only cut power in one direction.



I set some up in Carcinus to prevent the claw actuator from damaging itself and just used the bolt in the actuator tube to make contact with the switches. They worked well but didn't quite react as fast as the actuator moves, so the actuator did eventually do a little damage to itself as well as crushing the switches a bit. But different mounting methods or contact methods could easily overcome this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TZ1lS8I-lg

[ady]

Thanks Jamie that gives me something to go on. I'm going to machine some hdpe bits to mount on the shaft and update when I get their