Inexpensive, 10BaseT slip ring

[mrmr]

I'm working with an amazing group of high school students on robotics projects. Currently developing a teleoperated search and rescue robot for RoboCup in Japan. We've chosen to avoid wireless (too much interference). We're designing an inexpensive 10BaseT ethernet cable reel for placement on the robot. We need a reliable, inexpensive way to get the signal off the robot and onto the reel. Looking at hole-through-the-middle slip ring, but are open to other options. Your suggestions? THANKS!

 

[schick]

Once you put a hole in the middle of the slip ring, you need to start filling it with dollar bills.

 

[mrmr]

Thanks for your input. Anything more specific to offer?

 

see my post under plc's and slip rings.

 

[cpsloit]

Would IrDA (infrared) be too slow? Many PCs already have IrDA capability and there are also several USB to IrDA converters or even RS-232 to IrDA converters.

If this reply is too late, please let me know how the project turned out.

Clint

 

[chrisauito]

I am looking for something similar that can send data and power from the outside of a gimbal frame to the middle and vice versa. This is for a full-motion 2-axis flight simulator. Let me know if you can figure it out without a second mortgage!

chris

c_auito@yahoo.com

 

[DanDwig]

BALLUFF electronics has a remote device that passes signals inductively, and it should be cheaper than a multi component slip ring. I don't know a whole lot about it, I haven't had cause to use one yet but you might want to check it out.

 

[mrmr]

Oh, I'm still around. Still working with search and rescue robots, although we gave up on the slip ring. (Actually, we DID make a successful, homemade slip ring that worked for 10BaseT, using copper solder wick sliding over copper rings as contacts. Used ProGold as a lubricant/contact enhancer.)

Our robot design has advanced considerably over the past two years. I invite you to visit our website for details:

http://www.scarabs.org.

Thanks for your support!

mrmr

 

[Boothby171]

McMaster-Carr has mercury-whetted slip rings (the company name is "Mercotac" or "Mercotak". But I do not think that they are hollow-core.

Litton Aerospace also makes some high-end instrumentation grade slip rings, but they will be $$$$.

Also: Electro-Tec, and UEA (

http://www.uea-inc.com)

I know that UEA has some great hollow-center sets (you can specify the grade and quantity of contacts you want), but you're dealing with silver-graphite brushes, which are "borderline" acceptable (my opinion--many others think this is fine) for high-grade signals.

UEA: BRENT JENSEN +1 (800) 394-9986

Electro-Tec: Burke Kidd (800) 382-5366

Hope this helps.