RC Robot Actuators

RC robot actuators are the part of the robot that actually convert the source of energy also see, Wood Carving with Mallets & Chisels within the robot, whether electrical or gasoline, into the required physical action. RC robot actuators are either directly controlled by the controller, or may be directed through a relay or a H-Bridge. RC robots generally contain actuators that are powered by motors, though there are some RC robot actuators that are also powered by hydraulics or even pneumatics or air look at, The fascinating One® Refillable E-cigarettes! pressure.

There are two basic types of robot actuators, rotational and linear. DC motors are the most common type found in RC robots, with RC servo motors being used in the more high-end RC robots. This is because RC servo motors can rotate to a specific angular position, allowing more control. Today, RC servo motors can also be found in more mid-range priced RC robots, due to the introduction of more manufacturers also see, Robot Toys in the market. A RC servo motor contains a DC motor, a rotary potentiometer, electronics and gearing. All servo motors can rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise.

There are several things you need to consider when deciding on RC robot actuators for your RC robot. Will the motor need to do any heavy lifting, is the range of motion limited, is motion required to be in a straight line and finally whether the RC robot is wheeled or not. If you are building also look at, Ocean Kayaking a small walking robot, then RC servo motors are ideal, particularly if range of motion is limited to 180 degrees, and torque is not important. Linear actuators are better for RC robots that need to move in a straight line or even for any heavy lifting.

If you are planning to build an RC plane or boat, then servos are your best bet. They are not suited for RC cars or wheeled RC vehicles as they are incapable of continuous rotation. This can be fixed by modifying the servo motors, but that requires in-depth knowledge. This drawback is made up by their precise positioning capabilities, making them popular with RC robotic arms, or sensor scanners etc. Also, servos are very affordable, making them popular with novice RC robot builders.

Now before you can begin working with servos, you will need to do some thorough research and study. Learning about servos involves acquiring knowledge about their functioning, particularly as modifying a servo is an important part of dealing with these actuators. There are several websites that provide in-depth information consider, Electrifly on the numerous types of servos, and their different components. Apart from this, there are several books on the topic, such as "Robot Actuators", by G. J. Monkman, "Springer Handbook of Robotics", by Bruno Siciliano and Oussama Khatib and "Robot Motion Planning", by Jean-Claude Latombe, to name a few, that will further enlighten you on the subject.

Being a vital part of RC robots, it is important that any budding RC robot builder, or even a RC enthusiast, spends time understanding the basics of RC robot actuators.