Hello Everyone
I’m at the very start of automating my Master caster. I decided I would program a Single Board Computer (Arduino or Raspberry - cost effective) to operate a step motor for replacing the handle and an electric actuator for regulating the pour. The SBC could read out potentiometers or a dip switch to set the required delays at the mold position and how I want it to shake out the boolits at the end.
Big part of the costs is selecting the torque of the step motor and max current associated with it for feeding it.
I removed the handle, made a kind of 1/2” connection so I could plug a borrowed torque wrench on the axle. Only to find out it is a counter clockwise torque measurement, and most torque wrenches only gives a clockwise torque for fastening stuff.
Here is my question: Can anyone give me an educated guess of a worst case torque that normally is applied on the handle? I assume that mechanics who are familiar with torque measurements can give a rough estimation just by feeling it. Biggest mold I cast is 45acp, dual cavity.
I need an answer on this question to avoid any of the following situations:
- buying a left handed torque wrench (200-300usd, only need it once)
- buying a step motor too small
- buying a step motor too big (can cost over 500-1000usd)
- buying a H-bridge driver too small or too big along with the motor and the power supply (same problem)
Thanks for the input
Kind regards