2023-08-10, 10:38 PM
(2023-08-10, 01:56 PM)ironman Wrote: I love it! Suits the boat as well!
Thanks! It was pure luck that the ply turned the same colour as my iroko boat after a bit of varnish.
(2023-08-10, 03:18 PM)seandepagnier Wrote: This is really great to see!
I have tried those ball screws and found they rust easily. My understanding is they are using 400 series alloy rather than the 316 variety. We would be better served with 316 since the load is not that high. In any case I would keep lots of grease on it and ensure the box remains water (and as airtight) as possible.
If water enters in the siding seal, does it drain back out? Do you think it would make sense to use even smaller belts on the rudder feedback? How much backlash is there?
My favorite actuator moves 150mm/s. This is most useful at higher speeds and surfing waves. It is easy to make it move slower by changing some settings in pypilot for lightwind.
do the end stop switches engage in time? Do you need to add a spring or something?
Thanks Sean
I'm afraid to say my ball screw isn't stainless at all (couldn't find one the right length that didn't have to be posted from China) so yeah I'll be greasing it regularly.
As for water ingress the ram goes through two holes a few cm apart and I'm hoping not much water will make it past this antechamber. I'll drill a weep hole in the floor if necessary. Again, I'm banking on lots of grease.
As for backlash ... there's a bit of play in the feedback mechanism at the moment, maybe 2mm at the rim of the potentiometer wheel, but I'm hoping that tightening the belts will eliminate most of it. They're way too slack.
And finally, the limit switches don't remotely stop the motor in time so you're right, I really should add some springs. But these are really just an ultimate fail-safe if for some reason the rudder sense doesn't do its thing.
Cheers!