Hello All,

I'm looking to find a very-very small solenoid/actuator, ideally linear, bi-directional, and even latching either way, if possible.

The smallest I have come across so far is the "F0415" from Transmotec:

http://www.transmotec.com/shop/SolenoidsOpenFrameF.aspx

That's 8x10x15mm., can only pull, and does not latch.

Anyone know of anything better, smaller, possibly even cheaper?

(edit) I want this to make a sort of mini solenoid-drum-machine, slowly over the rest of this year, using a slight modification of one of Obi's drummer patches.

Thanks and keep well all ~ Shankar

Here's what I got from going through some links my digital music lecturer gave me.
http://www.imagesco.com/catalog/index.html (theres a link to their robotics section)
http://au.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp;jsessionid=EEVLXN4NRAUFNQFIBYELYFQ?N=500001+1001538+10757+6892+5342+10756+6903+4538+1411&Ntk=gensearch_001&Ntt=solenoid&Ntx=&_requestid=488900 Australian page, but theres 251 listed there.

Also, care to elaborate on the tiny drum machine?
Solenoids seem like they could be the missing part of something else i want to build.

Thank you Lord~:o)

I will check out the links.

Basically, if I do manage to see this through, it would just be a version of Ajay Kapur's "MahaDeviBot", which he'd brought to, and performed with in, CeC & CaC 2008. In turn, while older, that is essentially just a more elaborate version of something like the famous "Solenoid Concert" that you can see on YouTube.

To drive it initially, I'd probably just use a very slightly modified version of Obiwannabe's Jazz Drummer, which triggers audio-samples in the original, to instead trigger the solenoids via an appropriate relay-board (e.g. Arduino, or simpler).

And then, after one gets to that point, if one ever does so at all, the patch itself could of course be worked upon more diligently.

(edit) Even a simple sequencer patch would obviously work fine.

So, the only thing that might actually be 'new' about what I am trying to do is just the downsize.

Now tell me, what is it that you are tryiong to build~:o)?

Keep well ~ Shankar

Basically in my project, the solenoid will be retracting to release marbles into a large dish.
I'll probably make a post as it gets nearer(this will be a project next semester)

try allectronics.com - and if you come across any "spring return" push-type solenoids, let me know. I've been searching fruitlessly for them for a similar project.

How about a bit of Flexinol?

http://www.dynalloy.com/AboutFlexinol.shtml

Thank you Lead. Yes, I did get around (the long way) to reading about muscle wires such as Flexinol and Nitinol, and might even send out for a kit.

Nestor ~ I haven't spotted any spring-return solenoids, partly because I haven't really been looking for them, since that might limit what turns up for me. BUT, I have come across bi-directional, such as:

http://www.solenoidcity.com/solenoid/latching/s-73-3l.htm

And, while this is not exactly the same thing, I really enjoyed coming across the so-called "Squiggle motors":

http://www.newscaletech.com/

Keep well ~ Shankar