Off topic, can anyone source pull back and let go motors?

A little off topic, I know, but is there anyone around who can source a limited number (say 5 or 6) of the spring powered pull back and let go motors you get in children's toys? I need them for a uni project and I am having a massive problem finding them.

Thanks,

Ali.

Hi mc nebula,

are you talking motors or servos? servo is generally used for precise movements rather than the constant rotation of a motor. I would expect a movement you describe to made by a servo used to move an element back then this could be released by a spring?
It's not really the motor/servo you should be concentrating on but the mechanism it is applied to.

When I need this stuff I can usually find it on RS components, for specialist applications I had some terrific motors from a company called Maxon.

cheers,

DS

I'm not talking actual motors, I'm talking the spring coiled devices in kids toys, you know, the ones you pull back and it winds a spring, you then let go and it zooms off.

Having said that, I had forgotten about RS...

Thanks.

Will lego ones do?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LEGO-PULL-BACK-MOTORS-5-OF-THEM_W0QQitemZ330377500625QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Construction_Toys_Kits?hash=item4cec0897d1#ht_500wt_1182

I had seen those, but they aren't ideal. They are inside another device and I would rather have a stand alone module... They look a little small too... Will bear it in mind.

Thanks for the input though.

Strip the unit if they are cheap enough.

Just buy 5-6 toys from a local shop, jeebus! Use your initiative, your supposed to be a designer/engineer or something right?

Buying them as part of mass produced toys will be cheaper than mechanisms on their own if your quantity is so small. Maybe if you were looking at 100+ units it would be cheaper to find a manufacturer to send you some.

Now I get you, they are called "friction motors" I believe.
If that's what you are after I guess most of us modelmaker types would just go and buy some cheap toys that do what you want and take them apart.
Generally plastic toys are only secured by a few screws or at the worst glued mouldings that can be prized apart. Pressed tin toys just tagged together.
Look for "friction toys" not as popular as they were since electronics became so cheap but a lot were Eastern Bloc/Chinese.
http://www.purplepuffin.co.uk/gifts/friction-motor-tin-police-car-with-siren-sound-p-14909.html
Have you tried 4D Modelmaking?
There are loads of handy plastic mechanisms inside secondhand Fisher Price baby toys too.

DS

A friction motor is totally different.

Pull-back motors rely on a spring which is coiled when the toy is wheeled back. Friction ones contain a rotating weight in which inertia is built up.

Indeed you are right DFP, so maybe disassemble a bucket load of cheap tape measures?

Um... can't think of a specific supplier for mechanisms itself.

Not "motors"as such, but how about taking springs from the ends old blinds and projector screens those reel back with a good force and usually have a catch mechanism too.

Well good luck in your search and I'll go back to sleep in my tree.

DS

DFP, dead on.

Any more suggestions before I go out and buy a load of shitty toys?

DFP, dead on.

Any more suggestions before I go out and buy a load of shitty toys?

Probably even cheaper ebay. Kids stuff sells for very little.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pull-Back-Car-Toy_W0QQitemZ320449045424QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Games_Toys_CA?hash=item4a9c4063b0

One suggestion from me - Darda toy racing cars have these mechanisms and in the dim and distant past (a few years ago) we did buy some replacement/spare motors direct from Darda. http://www.darda.co.uk

Them darda cars look sick, I cant believe you can get so much speed out of them! I feel like a kid but I think I need to get some.

Fuck that's a blast from the past. I used to have loads of those Darda cars and the track, loops and scaffolding stuff. Bright times.