[dorkbotpdx-blabber] sort of microservo related...

[Jared Boone]

On May 26, 2008, at 10:19 PM, Anthony Asterisk wrote:

> On the topic of mechanical/somatic outputs, what is a low cost way  
> low power way to create a yes/no flag type of effect.  I'm looking  
> for an indicator that would pop up a flag and not be a continuous  
> power draw.
> Anthony

What are your constraints?

	Cost: $0.10, $1, or $10?
	Power: 10uW, 100uW, 1mW?

How long does the effect need to persist? A minute, an hour, a day, a  
week, forever?
Will this be inside a device that experiences mechanical vibration?  
Near unusually large magnetic or electrical fields?
And what about size? 1cm cubed, 10cm cubed, 100cm cubed?
Weight?

Here's some random ideas, without much idea what your constraints  
really are:

- Buy a low-power (signal) relay with a latching mechanism,  
disassemble it a bit, and attach your flag doodad to it? No current  
draw, but could be bulky. Digi-Key has a selection of latching relays  
priced in the $4-$6 territory.
- A locking solenoid arrangement -- kinda like a latching relay, but  
probably simpler to rig.
- Get a 50uA panel ammeter (like the ones I use in my Chronulator)  
from All Electronics, and move the needle? It'd be a constant, but  
small current draw. I can get the meters for about $6.
- The stuff they use in e-Ink, which changes color (black/white)  
depending on what charge polarity was last present nearby.
- A microservo...

	- Jared