Help me find a cutting blade

[Diagro]

Hey

Im at a stage of my Robot lawnmower building that i need to get it a safer blade than a chunk of metal that spins

Does anyone have any idea of a better cutting item?

I have seen some plastic discs with plastic blades that stick out that i might be able to use, But they aren't the most ideal.

Anyone got any idea?

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

How about a strimmer type system?

 

[Diagro]

How about a strimmer type system?

Ahh the spindle with the thread type device? Nice idea will have a look

 

[Mark A]

You usually have to angle a strimmer for it to cut, but i guess it could work.

 

[Devrij]

Ahh the spindle with the thread type device? Nice idea will have a look

Might reduce energy usage too if you aren't spinning a large weight, although perhaps this is offset by the higher rpm?

 

[kwerk]

two words: LASERS

 

[R-evans]

two words: LASERS

+1

 

[Diagro]

You usually have to angle a strimmer for it to cut, but i guess it could work.

Thats ok, I can angle it by lowering the third wheel.

Might reduce energy usage too if you aren't spinning a large weight, although perhaps this is offset by the higher rpm?

The RPM is quite high on this motor, though i am not sure on the torque... A metal Blade seems to work ok as it takes some force to stop it, but thats an issue for safety :/

two words: LASERS

How is "Lasers" two words? and NO

 

[JonJ678]

Have you implemented a cut out? Along the lines of if one wheel is lifted off the ground, stop the blade.

 

[Diagro]

Have you implemented a cut out? Along the lines of if one wheel is lifted off the ground, stop the blade.

No, But it has IR detection and to cut it off all i need to do is shine an IR LED at it

 

[Devrij]

No, But it has IR detection and to cut it off all i need to do is shine an IR LED at it

EDIT: no automatic cutout if upturned though?

 

[Col_M]

Thinking about it the strimmer idea may work, there may be a number of problems though...

- The line breaks, strimmers have that feature where you can bump the hub on the floor and it feeds some more line from a spool. It could be tricky to modify or implement on a mower.
- The line has memory and tries to coil back, on a short length like a strimmer it's not a big deal but a mower with a longer length it may cause tangling issues or flail about under the mower.

You may want something stiffer and straighter Probably something that won't shatter too. I was thinking of something like a thin braided stainless wire/cable.

something to think about and experiment with anyway

 

[JonJ678]

Perhaps you should consider implementing such a cut out. It's better for the system to switch itself off than to wait for someone to shine IR at it if something goes wrong.

 

[cjgardens]

I might have a old strimmer head in the van ill have a look tomorrow. I know it's a bit battered but at least you can get a idea from that if you want it?

 

[Diagro]

Thanks for all the sugestions.

I will look into implimenting a upturned cutoff device, it needs one.

The strimmer hubs.. how wide are they and how deep? I dont have much height to play with as it's a small device.

A thin metal wire may work if I can get the rpm up, will look into it.

Im useing a meccano motor at the moment, you might think they are weak but they can drill a hole in thick mdf with a drill attachment

Money is tight so a new motor may not be on the cards just yet.

Ta peeps

 

[Kosmiche]

Queen wasp, my dad kills them for a living.

 

[R-evans]

How is "Lasers" two words? and NO

lol

 

[nst68]

/thread

 

[Mark A]

The strimmer hubs.. how wide are they and how deep? I dont have much height to play with as it's a small device.

They are quite big, which is why you'd need to angle it if using one, or the hub would be dragging along the grass and catching in dips etc.

I think a plastic hover mower type blade would be better.

 

[cjgardens]

My strimmer head is bigger than the one above looks. So probably no good. As said them plastic flymo blades will probably be best. Small and light