Engineering

744 readers

7 users here now

A place to geek out about engineering, fabrication, and design. All disciplines are welcome. Ask questions, share knowledge, show off projects you're proud of, and share interesting things you find.

Rules:

Be kind.
Generally stay on topic.
No homework questions.
No asking for advice on potentially dangerous jobs. Hire a professional. We don't want to be responsible when your deck collapses.

The community icon is ISO 7000-1641.

The current community banner image is from Lee Attwood on Unsplash.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

kersploosh@sh.itjust.works

Need some advice on creating a waterproof container that allows for a sliding stainless steel rod (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 months ago by Ynrielle@sh.itjust.works to c/engineering@sh.itjust.works

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello lemgineers!

I'm working on designing a claw that can be operated underwater. The plan is to use a linear actuator in a waterproof housing. The main issue is allowing the shaft to slide through without causing a leak. What's the best way to go about this?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] kersploosh@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

If you need a shaft to slide through the wall of your housing, Google "shaft seal" or "oil seal." The seal usually presses into a hole in your housing, so you will want the housing to be metal rather than plastic.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/shaft-seals/

A dynamic seal like this is going to be difficult to implement. The shaft will need to be very smooth and carefully aligned to the housing. Some small amount of water is likely to get past the seal.

I'm with @Longpork3@lemmy.nz. Consider other ways to actuate your claw that don't require moving a part through the housing wall. I'm addition to pneumatic or hydraulic actuators outaide your housing, here's an idea using magnets and screws:

https://org.osu.edu/osu-uwrt/2022/04/11/underwater-claw-development/