[sti robot]

iirc there was a prototype for helix coilovers made a few months ago. I blieve that guppe-s has them and are testing them out.

[wi77iam]

I just picked up a Phidget Stepper Controller. The controller I already had was serial, but the Phidget is so much easier to program and it just plugs into a USB port. It will control 4 stepper motors, like these.

The motors can be commanded to rotate in steps - I will need to determine how many steps are in each click of adjustment.

I'm starting to design the program now. I'm thinking that I want it to be able to rotate each strut adjustment knob separately a certain number of clicks, or all at once, or maybe front and rear as pairs. I think I would also have some presets, like Highway, Track, DD, oversteer, full soft, etc.

Things to figure out:
1. How to connect the motor shaft to the adjustment knob.
2. How to attach the motor to the strut.

[mtskibum16]

Originally Posted by wi77iam

I just picked up a Phidget Stepper Controller. The controller I already had was serial, but the Phidget is so much easier to program and it just plugs into a USB port. It will control 4 stepper motors, like these.

The motors can be commanded to rotate in steps - I will need to determine how many steps are in each click of adjustment.

I'm starting to design the program now. I'm thinking that I want it to be able to rotate each strut adjustment knob separately a certain number of clicks, or all at once, or maybe front and rear as pairs. I think I would also have some presets, like Highway, Track, DD, oversteer, full soft, etc.

Things to figure out:
1. How to connect the motor shaft to the adjustment knob.
2. How to attach the motor to the strut.

I think that would be really cool! I really like the idea of a few preset modes for highway, autox, etc. I wouldn't mind doing a project like this for my future setup (Ohlins). While I won't be much help with the programming, I would be willing to help with the mechanical attachments. Right now I have full access to a machine shop, but unfortunately I'll be moving soon and going to a new job and I'm not sure what machines I'll have access to. Either way, I think I'd be able to help.

[sti robot]

coo stuff. Take pictures and document everything you try so that others may benefit.

[98ss]

FYI, my company make stepper motors if I can be of any help.
I think you will need NEMA 17 size and 1 stack, 2 phase unipolar.
These controller are for unipolar motor, probably 2 phase. At half step they will be 400 step /rev or 360 degree. Rest of the math is easy.
This should be fun as I've been thinking of this DIY myself as well.

[JD_STI]

my Koni's are DA. For the rebound adjustment, this should be pretty straight forward as there is no "click". Making this work for the bottom (bump) adjustment would be a tough one. The bump knob is adjusted by "clicks". Not sure how you would calibrate that. Mounting a motor on the bottom of the strut body and waterproofing it is an even bigger challenge. Sure would be nice though. Now you've got me thinking.

[wi77iam]

Originally Posted by JD_STI

my Koni's are DA. For the rebound adjustment, this should be pretty straight forward as there is no "click". Making this work for the bottom (bump) adjustment would be a tough one. The bump knob is adjusted by "clicks". Not sure how you would calibrate that. Mounting a motor on the bottom of the strut body and waterproofing it is an even bigger challenge. Sure would be nice though. Now you've got me thinking.

I think you just need to figure out how many steps equal one click. I looked at the Tein edfc kit. It looks like they coat the motors in rubber. Not sure how hot the motors get, but I don't think you would need to keep current applied to hold a certain setting, since you just need to get it into each click detent. Also the Tein steppers look to be taller than some that I've seen. Mounting on the bottom of the strut would require a shorter motor if ground clearance is a problem.

[wi77iam]

Originally Posted by 98ss

FYI, my company make stepper motors if I can be of any help.
I think you will need NEMA 17 size and 1 stack, 2 phase unipolar.
These controller are for unipolar motor, probably 2 phase. At half step they will be 400 step /rev or 360 degree. Rest of the math is easy.
This should be fun as I've been thinking of this DIY myself as well.

Good to know. Thanks. What kind of turning torque do you think it would require? And how susceptible are the motors to dirt or water? Can they be coated in rubber or something without overheating?

[98ss]

Torque range is depending on stack length. So it is related to over all motor body length. How long of a motor can you tolerate?
But looking at the controller board, there is only 1 amp of output current?
Is that per axes or total? If it is total, that is not a lot of current.

Good question on protection, normally steppers are not IP rated and they do need to be exposed to dissipate heat. In this case, liquid might be the bigger problem.
Make a shroud for it? Coating in rubber is not that good idea I think.
If you over heat the motor, torque is reduced and over time you can demagnetize the motor.
Normally our steppers are rated up to 80c.

[RaceComp Engineering]

Originally Posted by sti robot

iirc there was a prototype for helix coilovers made a few months ago. I blieve that guppe-s has them and are testing them out.

They cancelled that program as far as i know. Could be mistaken.


- Andrew