Making a 3D printed, servo-controlled pneumatic valve
Usually servo motors are limited in the circular motion in which they can twist. In the video below, Vincent Groenhuis demonstrates that with some fabrication added to the servos (like 3D printed parts) one can make a servo-controlled pneumatic valve.
The servo valve allows to control pneumatic devices using standard or micro RC servos, making it a very cost-effective solution for controlling pneumatic projects.
After assembling the servo valve(s) these can be controlled using suitable servo controller hardware and software. There is one important peculiarity in controlling this type of servo valve: the setpoint is often not reached due to friction between the valve and switch (undershoot). If not accounted for, this would keep the motor powered and cause high current consumption, a buzzing noise and stress on the servo teeth. A good solution is to initially add 2° to the setpoint and revert to the original setpoint after 350 ms.
The motors are controlled using an Adafruit Motor Shield. There is an Arduino library for programming motors and other devices using these valves.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!
Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: New Python Releases, an ESP32+MicroPython IDE and Much More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
