EDIT: Additional Information below original post…
Looking for a 360 degree servo motor that has adjustable control for timing of steps (or at the least timing per full oscillation) and can support (via vertical shaft) at least 30 pounds of weight overhead (imagine a oscillating tower fan where the base is the motor and the fan is the 30 pound weight with a vertical shaft at least 4 feet in length). Any suggestions for where to look for a baseline to mod or an off-the-shelf solution?
Thanks for assisting in directing my ongoing efforts to build my prototype, peeps 🙂
I still have some primary concerns and questions unanswered in regards to the gearing, controls, etc for the oscillating motor and will continue those in more specific "Questions" posted as I think of them. I will post some google sketchup images of examples, as well. Thanks again and looking forward to hacking this project to completion 😀
Google Sketchup Prototype:
I guess I'll fill out the images once I have 10 frickin points. 😛
img src="http://goo.gl/fZykD" width="912" height="445" title="Google sketchup prototype Revision 1"
img src="http://goo.gl/kVBAi" width="1024" height="498" title="Revision 2"
Best Answer
Unless you go with something big like a 1/2hp motor, you're going to have to build this yourself. The bearings on a small servo or stepper won't support that kind of load. You have to deal with the vertical thrust load of 30 lbs and then any torque caused by the load - motor axis not being perfectly vertical! You will need to build a base and a vertical support with bearings to carry the shaft. A couple of 2x4's would do it just fine. Or you could start with a floor lamp and toss the lamp head part.
Having said that, once the load is properly supported, it shouldn't be too hard to turn so a size 23 stepper motor will probably do it just fine.
How thick is the axis you want to turn? Maybe I can offer some suggestions on where to get the parts you need.