1. Linkages and Mechanisms

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3. Gearmotors gearmotor right-angle gearmotor gearmotor with wheel
12VDC, 6.8RPM, 3/16-in shaft
12VDC, 5RPM, 6mm shaft, 1.2N-m torque
12-24VDC, 19/45RPM, 4 7/8-in wheel;
15870 MD from mpja.com
TS-32GZ from amazon.com
17971 MD from mpja.com
Lower RPM is usually associated with higher torque … but torque also depends on gearmotor size.

4. One of our Most Popular Gearmotors
no coupling
with coupling
coupling with pulley
12VDC, 110RPM, 50mA stall, 6mm diameter shaft 27mm long

5. Other Gearmotors right-angle gearmotor gearmotor with rotating arm
mounting bracket with holes
Buehler (10/21/42 RPM at 6/12/24VDC)

6. Micro Gearmotor

7. Mounting Gearmotors
mounting holes or threaded screws built into motors (you will need to obtain screws that will properly thread into the holes)
mounting brackets with holes
you may need to fabricate, 3D print, or purchase a bracket
pulleys, gears and brackets to attach rods can be bolted to the holes in the coupling 7

8. Solenoid Locks and Linear Actuators
linear solenoids with return spring
two configurations of solenoid locks
12mm stroke
5mm stroke
linear solenoid; typical application is automotive door locks (0.75” travel; 9.5” extension rod)

9. Linear Actuator
rod extends outward or inward; these move much slower than solenoids
The Project-Based Learning Office has linear actuators with 50mm (about 2-inch), 100mm (about 4-inch), and 12-inch (about 300mm) linear actuators.

10. Standard Servo with Linkage
The wire can be put through different holes in the “servo horn.” Moving the linkage to a hole further away from the axis of rotation will cause more vertical movement of the platform.
This wire was cut and then bent at the ends to create a linkage between the servo and the platform.
The bends at the ends of the wire are called z-bends … the wire can just be slid through the hole, and it stays in place by itself!

11. Linkages and Mechanisms
General Rule: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use your time wisely. If something already exists that will serve your purpose, then it is probably a good idea to purchase that item to incorporate into your design.
Determine what you need, find several items that might work, look at the specifications for the items, and make a choice on which one will work best.