[sdiy] Do these things exist ? ( switch and pots )

[harrybissell]

for the linear spring loaded pots I'd look for
Duncan Electronics, a manufacturer of industrial
sensors.  They will NOT be cheap but IIRC they have
one model that is all plastic and not too expensive.

If you are REALLY crazy you could use an LVDT
(Linear Variable Displacement Transducer)... another
really expensive way to go.

FSR can be had in experimenter kit for about $100 for
16 assorted pieces, rounds, squares, strips, and pads...

The DrumKat FSR sensor pad is about $150 iirc...

H^) harry



WeAreAs1 at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 8/13/04 4:01:10 PM, peng3002 at yahoo.com writes:
>
> << I was fantasizing about the Analog Solutions Phoenix last night. It has
> this articulation button that puts out 0-10V depending on how far down it's
> pressed. I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a spring loaded potentiometer
> that works by pushing in and out ?  If so, what's it called so I can search it
> out ? >>
>
> There do exist "linear potentiometers", which are actuated by a sliding rod.
> I'm not sure where I saw them before, nor do I know how long the rod throw
> is.  They're probably designed for use in some kind of industrial/automation
> machinery, and if so, they'd have to be made to be pretty sturdy.  I don't recall
> is they were spring-loaded, but if not, I'm sure that would be fairly easy to
> remedy.  Try searching the usual suspects:  Alps, Bourns, etc.   Please let
> us know if you find any info about them.
>
> I really wish we could more easily purchase FSR's (force-sensing resistors)
> for DIY use.  Interlink, the sole maker of FSR's, is not really
> hobbyist-friendly, unfortunately.  FSR's would make great pressure/velocity-sensing buttons
> and control surfaces.   I am preparing to build an electronic/MIDI marimba
> controller, and I would much prefer to use FSR's on the bars instead of piezos
> (yuck!).  All of the Kat drum and mallet controllers use FSR's that are
> custom-made by Interlink for those products.  If you've ever tried a DrumKat or
> MalletKat, you already know how much better they respond than the typical piezo-based
> drum pads.  It's because of the FSR's!
>
> Michael Bacich