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Re: Are there any alternatives to an electric actuator?
It depends a lot on the specifics of the application. I will take swinging a 5 lb sword as the need, in terms of speed, weight, needs to swing both ways, swing force and several swings needed but only one at a time, and 'cheap' as far as cost.
An electric solenoid doesn't have the force, but can do everything else. Get a cr srater motor and remove the solenoid, about 10 lbs force but a throw of only an inch.
A motor maybe, with a linkage to produce the swinging motion (and not driving the arm directly) - think a rotating disk with a linkage pinned near the outer diameter. A window lifter motor can go 60 RPM or more, so a swing there and back is a second. The problem here is a 'single' swing needs time for the motor to get up to speed.
Pneumatics offer it all, but cost is not 'cheap', even with an off-board compressor.
Linear (electrical) actuators are just too slow
A motor driving a lead screw could be good. Mechanical complexity is the disadvantage here, but perhaps the best choice of all so far.
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