Looking for Suitable DC MicroVibrator Motor

A research visit to an adult products shop locally will yield examples of numerous personal appliances with similar size motors doing a similar job. One option is to dissect such an appliance and use the motor from it in the new project.

I have already thought about that but that wont really help because they use small and cheap motors in their accessories that are not that powerful (well, except for this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitachi_Magic_Wand , but that is not DC motor but AC and too big to use. I already dissected one of the strongest ones (Palmpower from PowerBullet), but its motor is also very small (15 mm in diameter) and also the weight could be a bit bigger. Well, to be correct, I don't mind small motors but bigger one could give more power). Any other possibilites except for dissection? :)

So, what haven't you done yet?

Be careful ordering these online, especially on the office computer. You may find yourself on a lot of mailing lists.

Rip one out of an old page or cellphone.

Well, I did that many times but they are very small vibrators and not usable, the examples I have provided are much bigger, cylindrical shape about 20-30 mm in diameter and thus are capable of much stronger vibrations (because the motors itself are more powerful and can have bigger weights) than small ones in cellphones (they are about 4-6 mm in diameter and usable only for alerting not for stronger vibrations). I am looking for vibrator motor which would be as strong as possible in set dimensions not necessarily the most cheapest ones (the limit is about $25-$30).

tried eBay?

Where are you?

Yes, I have tried ebay, i have found some not so bad (like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/4000RPM-Speed-Electric-Mini-Vibration-Vibrate-Motor-DC-3-12V/310904951555, but they are usually small or not very powerful or with small weight and they are usually without any specs so it is hard to guess their capabilities. I would not ask the question if I had not checked google, ebay, amazon etc, I tried but did not find many results, there must be more companies selling these than 3 or all factories must create vibrator motor from normal motor by attaching the weight - which is my second part of the question.

I saw this one, supposedly for a massager. That may be as much power as you can expect from a motor that size. You may need to rig up a variable mass/variable eccentricity head. Are you after a known frequency?

You look at industrial vibrators. They make them for parts bins. You may find one to meet the size requirements.

I already did that and the smallest ones of the industrial types are these ones http://www.tarylaite.fi/en/Products/Italvibras%20Electric%20Vibrators/The%20MICRO%20series%20electric%20vibrators/ and they are much larger than those I need and the weight is about 1 kg.

If as you say there is "no need for long life" go with a brush type motor such as that on a cordless drill and fix an eccentric weight to the shaft.

These are easy to find due to the "increasing voltage syndrome" Makita started at 7.5.

Thanks, that is a good idea, I will try to look at these motor whether they will fullfill the specifications. The only problem I can see now is that they probably will be 12V DC while I would like to something around 3V-6V and that they will drain a lots of energy but that is usually the price of powerfull motor (and they might be too big for the project) :)

Google American science and surplus

Thanks for the tip for the page http://www.sciplus.com/. I have not known about that! Unfortunately they do not have many motor (like 6 for <6VDC and 7 for 6-12 VDC and not very suitable ones), but anyway it looks like a source that is very good to know.

Another one is "Nuts and Volts". I used to be on all the mailing lists.

Now I have to look that one up. My only disappointment was the Sea Monkeys

The X-ray glasses I purchased didn't provide the view I was led to believe they would.

They didn't come with three lenses, either, making it impossible to inspect the latest in plastic surgery....

Don't EVER put them on backwards!

You have failed to provide any real information on what the motor does.

Yes, it vibrates. But a narrative on what it is supposed to accomplish compared to some known vibrating device would be profound. Like a cell phone, which operates at 7 V.

3 V motors will require 2 batteries. The motors you reference indicate a need (and room, and need, for) for 3 AA batteries.

Tell us what you want to do.

Or, why you can't.

Try Precision Microdrives in the UK. They carry a range of micro vibration motors, one of which may fit your requirements. I have used their services in the past, they have been helpful, and postage (in my case to Australia) was not unreasonable.

Yes, Precision Microdrives are a good source, they are actually the first example I have provided in the first post. They have motor that would fit almost perfectly but they have it in the long-life version (I think that they are tested for 10k continuous running hours). This long-life version costs about 30£ which is pretty expensive. Something similar would be great.

Look at some of the cheap smaller cordless screwdrivers There are some 6 volt drivers out there. Pull it apart and add your offset weight.

Cassette Walkman motor

Pick a normal motor that fits your requirements, either bend the shaft, the angle you achieve from straight will determine how strong it vibrates. Making it redhot at the point to the bend and rapid quenching can help as long as the heat cannot affect the bearings or other internals....

Or if the shaft is not conducive to bending, then have a tiny flywheel made, drill it off center and fix that onto the shaft - glue and or grub screws or both....that should be quick and also easy to adjust to your requirements...

DO NOT LET ANY FEMALES SEE IT!!!!

Off the shelf product at Drug Store is a throw away vibrating toothbrush. $7. runs on 1 AA bat. Mine last about 4 months . You'll need to remove it from the toothbrush. Maybe! Best Luck!

try these guys too...

www.surpluscenter.com

Perhaps this could be accomplished with a shake light and cleverly installed contacts at the limits and current introduced to the coil.

Or an elliptical gerbil exercise wheel?

Did you find the motor you need? It must be there
You may try to find it on this website http://www.aliexpress.com