Stories

Bruce McArdle shares with us how he designed and built his own automatic secret bookcase doors. This project describes how I used an Arduino, motor controller and linear actuators to allow automatic opening and closing of a pair of doors (secret doors; secret bookcase doors!). The bookcases were hand made to support fully loaded shelves and have a unique hinge and slide mechanism so the bookcases look like they are resting against the outside...

We wanted to share a very cool project that we sponsored recently. Nice Box is a company that creates specially customized storage boxes, specifically custom sneaker boxes, for customers. The company was started by Cedric Townsend and he utilized our actuators and control systems to help bring some of his creations to life. He's built specially designed boxes for athletes and celebrities such as Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Andre Drummond. The box...

Dr. Decks has been one of our most valued customers for a long time and we have worked together on a number of exciting automation projects together in the past. We are partnering up again and working on an addition to his line of "Phantom" devices, this time the Phantom BBQ. Previous "Phantom" creations that we have worked on together include the Phantom Bench, Phantom Lounge Chair and Phantom Staircase projects. All of these creations involv...

Life is hard. Nobody needs to be told (or reminded, really) just how hard it is. The goal is to make it a bit easier. The automation projects we provide you with here will hopefully do just that – make your life easier. That doesn’t mean that only when everything is installed, your life becomes easier. Installation should be an easy process, too. Here are our top four picks. 4. The Automated Recliner Hours Needed: 1. Components Needed: 1 act...

Guy Marsden tells us about linear actuators for his solar panel tracking system and sustainability:  "As someone who is very committed to living sustainably, I have done a great deal to reduce my energy footprint, both by increasing the efficiency of my Maine home and workshop and by adding solar heating and electric systems that I designed and installed myself with the help of friends, neighbors, and family. It took me a few years to cov...

Texas A & M Uses Heavy Duty Linear Actuators for their Diamond Weapon Safe. Gun safety is an all-important issue today, and four students from Texas A & M have created a gun safe system that individually locks each weapon. This keeps the weapons that a person does not want to use safe and secure. Overview "Diamond will start from its rest place in the ground. It will be elevated by the use of a single actuator and kept in place by a r...