Diy: Voice coil actuator

Introduction

For a small mirror scanner:

• Coil diameter: 8–15 mm
• Coil height: 3–8 mm
• Wire: AWG 34–38 (0.16–0.10 mm)
• Turns: 100–300

More turns:

• More force per amp
• Higher resistance
• Lower current
• More moving mass

Fewer turns:

• Lighter
• Faster
• Needs more current

A good starting point is 150–200 turns of AWG 36. That usually gives a resistance around 8–20 Ω, depending on the exact dimensions.

Current Typical ranges:

• Testing: 20–50 mA
• Small scanner: 100–300 mA
• Fast scanner: 300–800 mA

Use neodymium magnets, not ferrite. N Coil S.

Restoring force. Thin spring steel. Piano wire (A 0.3–0.5 mm piano wire can act as a torsion spring). Flexure hinge.

For larger mirrors, miniature bearings can be used. Eg 2×5×2.5 mm or 3×8×4 mm

Inkjet printers, Speakers, Old toys.