Das Herzstück des Langstator-Linearmotors! 🧲⚡

Dieses Statorpaket ist Teil des aktiven Fahrwegs des Transrapids. Mit Drehstrom gespeist, erzeugt es das wandernde Magnetfeld, das den Transrapid antreibt.

Woraus besteht es? Wie funktioniert die Kraftübertragung? Das und mehr erklären wir euch heute und morgen von 11 bis 17 Uhr vor Ort! 🚝

#Transrapid #Elektrotechnik #Physik #Linearmotor #Emsland #Lathen #BahnBubble

PCB Linear Motors For Model Trains

Modeling a railroad is hard. Railroads are large, linear pieces of civil engineering. So many modelers are drawn to the smallest scale they can use. Recently a new scale, named T, at 1:450 has been pushing this barrier. But fitting a reliable mechanical drive mechanism and MCU board in a package this size is a challenge. In practice, even more of a problem is getting reliable electrical contact through a metal wheel on metal track (about the worst possible design for a contact).

T always seemed to us a long way out on the bleeding edge. But all that may have changed. In a recent Hackaday.io writeup, author [Martin] describes a PCB technology based linear motor system to externally drive T scale locomotives.

The system uses 4mm planar coils. The underside of the PCB has another coil, so the effective pitch is 2mm. With microstepping, a step of 0.25mm is possible, and trains run smoothly. Current is 3-400mA.

Since the system also guides the car, actual 'track' is unnecessary, and [Martin] is using printed paper covering rather than 3D track. Items like autos and boats can be automated as well. Modelers in larger scales might well use it for automated pedestrians and such.

Also an advantage, all cars are powered, so coupler reliability is a reduced issue.

This feels like it could be used for many things, far beyond model railroads. It's an option for any time you need to move a few mm scale object in 2D.

Image courtesy David K. Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0

#mischacks #news #toyhacks #linearmotor #modelrailroad #modelraiway

Propel Paper Planes, Bisect Sausages With Electromagnets

Are you still launching paper airplanes using your hands? That's like a baby's toy! [Tom Stanton] and his homebrew electromagnetic rail launcher are sure to bring your paper airplane game into the 21st century.

To be fair, these kinds of linear motors can be used for more than just launching paper airplanes, and can already be found in niche industrial applications, mass transportation systems and roller coasters. And, yes, the potential to leverage electromagnetism in the theater of war is also being vigorously explored by many of the world's superpowers in the form of Gauss rifles and railguns. In the meantime, the video (after the break) proves that it's entirely possible to build a rudimentary yet effective linear motor in your makerspace, using relatively basic components and fundamental physics.

In short, these launch systems use electromagnetism and well timed electronics to propel a mass of magnetic material down a straight (or sometimes curved) track. Multiple pairs of coils are placed along the track, with each pair subsequently energized by high current as the payload approaches. By using many coils in succession, the mass and its payload can be accelerated to high speed.

While a homemade rail launcher is unlikely to turn the tides of war, [Tom Stanton] explores their lethal potential with an experiment involving high-speed video and supermarket sausages, with gruesome results.

If you're looking for more, why not check out our our previous coverage on electromagnetic weaponry?

[Thanks to Feinfinger for the tip]

#science #weaponshacks #electromagnet #linearmotor #railgun