I'm looking for some advice on a motor application. To keep it simple, I'll use the following description. I have a 20 lb weight that I want to raise and lower according to a time schedule. When the process starts, there is an initial delay and then the motor will pick up the weight say 12 inches. Next there is another delay and the motor will lower the weight back to its original position. This may repeat several times with the weight being picked up different heights each time.
I want to use a PLC to control the system. The speed of the application is relatively slow. Let's say it takes 1 second to raise or lower the weight 12 inches. Since I need to hold the weight for a few seconds, I'm thinking I need a stepper motor. 20 lbs is pretty heavy for a stepper motor so I'll need a high torque motor. I'll also need a controller for the stepper motor. The way I see it, the PLC will need to send pulses to the controller to raise and lower the weight. It is an open loop system, so I don't need feedback.
Questions:
- Should I consider some other type of motor and if so, what kind?
- Any recommendations on high torque, low cost steppers and stepper controllers?
- What kind of power requirements will this application have? AC, DC etc.
- I'm trying to keep the whole system down to a minimal size, any suggestions?
- I'm trying to keep the cost of the whole system down, but I don't want to have to build my on controller. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.