Don Lancaster's Guru's Lair: 
Robotics  Bargains
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   Suspa 746 C16-02904 Gas Spring 20 pound 12":

 $3.90 each
10 for $28.50

Clean and apparently unused auction surplus gas spring measures approximately 12-1/4 inches long in its normally extended position. 0.250 shaft. 5/8" od. It compresses to 8-1/4 inches with twenty pounds of force, giving a 4 inch stroke. There are swivels on both ends terminating on 5/16 inch studs and nuts supplied.

Normal distributor wholesale is $9.90 for the spring and $3.90 for the end swivels. These can be used to offset the weight of a lid or deck, as a shock absorber, or as a motion dampener.

You can click here to reach the Suspa Web Site.

Shipping weight: A few ounces per gas spring.
Available in quantity.

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   NC 3-way low pressure air or vacuum valve :

$6.39

This unusual clean unused automotive surplus item should have lots of interesting vacuum and low pressure (8 PSI or lower?) robotics uses. It is a three-way ambient dump valve, but works BACKWARDS from normal.

When DEENERGIZED, the two upper pipes are connected together. When ENERGIZED with 12 vdc at 200 ma, the left pipe is blocked and the right pipe vents to ambient through a sintered brass filter.

Should be perfect for custom vacuum pick-and-place tools. On any other place you want to "let go" when actuated.

Approximate shipping weight per valve: a few ounces.
Available in quantity.

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   Military pendulum accelerometer inclinometer level :

$23.50

The feds paid $2340.00 each for these 1964 era accelerometer. Besides making a unique collectible, its apparent sub-G sensitivity should be quite useful for new robotic apps and vehicle racing uses. It should also be useful as an inclinometer or electronic level as well.

This is basically a vertical copper pendulum that is spring centered and magnetically damped. The pendulum is coupled to a synchro transmitter.

While intended for 400 Hertz 110 volt use, these days you should be able to use a PIC after applying a lower level audio sinewave input. Your output consists of three phases of that sinewave related to the exact instantaneous position of the pendulum.

It should also be usable at 12 vac 60 Hertz if you electronically sense and only lightly load your outputs.

Fairly clean used mil surplus. Appears fully functional. May include a slight protective case crack or scuff. NSN 1355-00-593-8023. Fist-sized unit outputs via a standard DB15 connector with obvious pinouts.

Needs only an input audio sinewave to function. You can click here for a Syncro Intro Tutorial.

Approximate shipping weight: 6 pounds.
Available in quantity.

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   Bendix size 15 Synchro Transmitter Sesyln Sensor

$14.73

At one time, synchros were a major way of transmitting position information on navy ships and aircraft. Besides being an unusual scientific collectible, synchro ( or syncro ) transmitters still see use for such things as wind speed and direction sensors, ham radio antenna position sensing, or legacy industrial apps where ruggedness and reliability are very important. Dealer list is still $75 to $750 these days.

This size 15 Bendix unit is just under a inch and a half in diameter. It is in clean used condition, removed from military surplus gear. While intended for 110 volt 400 cycle use, you can also run it at 12 volts and 60 Hertz. PROVIDED that you electronically sense your outputs with a PIC or other suitable lightly loading circuit.

You can click here for a Syncro Intro Tutorial.

Approximate shipping weight: 1 pound.
Available in quantity.

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