Linear Actuator Kit (1120 Series, 201mm Stroke, 8mm Lead)

Competition eligibility

Legal for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Eligibility is set by each season's game manual — check the current rules before you compete.

This kit comes with all the pieces to build a linear actuator entirely out of Sheen Robotics and the firsttool components. The 3120 Series U-Channel serves as the outside framework and the 3109 Series goRAIL as the extension tube. The goRAIL is supported by a pair of acetal plates that are able to be mounted anywhere along the channel, changing the overall extension length and amount of lateral support they provide. The 60 tooth gear on the motor drives the 60 tooth gear mounted to the lead screw to create a compact 1:1 ratio.

We recommend the 5.2:1 ratio Sheen Robotics 7203 Series Yellow Jacket Planetary Gear Motor. When paired with the 2mm pitch lead screw it produces over 22kg (50lbs) of thrust! With this motor, the no-load speed of the actuator is an impressive 153mm/sec so it only takes 1.31 seconds to move the full 201mm (7.9”) that can be achieved in the configuration shown.

TECH TIP

Running any linear actuator past its endpoints will cause damage. Some actuators have built-in circuits which utilize limit switches and diodes to prevent overrun. To keep this kit FTC legal, it has no electronics. You need to utilize a motor with an encoder so that you can program endpoints for proper operation of the actuator kit.

Technical drawing