Working Magnetic Motor on you tube??

[Bessler007]

Omega,

I'd call it the Orbonator.  Cool graphics.

Bessler007

. . .
Here is a basic setup, with a rotor arm that is mounted on bearings on an axle and a stator arm that is on the same axle, and is rotatable as well as can be secured in position using a "key". You just tighten the key until it cannot be moved.
. . .

[Yadaraf]

Now you get even more things to adjust, like various asymmetries and various rotor/stator magnet ratios etc.
The components are simple and same design repeats mostly, there are a few unique things on which you can built up.
Its not a weekend job, it may take years to find the correct combination. All you need to do is start varying each and every parameter and plot a graph for that combination. Some intelligent guesswork should help (or may be a dream like OC's :)LOL)

Best of luck finding the sweet spot.

@ Omega_0

Very nice drawings first of all.  They clearly identify the sources of variability, from which anyone can see that a human will have great difficulty finding the sweet spot -- without luck, inspiration, or channeling the spirit of Nikola Tesla.   

Computer based control systems are great for collecting data and iteratively finding a solution where a human or a Group of humans would give up.  Sure, it might take a computer 1,000 runs and 5 days, but computers are relentless.

Protocol is important as well.  My approach is not to automate the entire system at this time, but rather focus on one component -- the AGW stator -- and let the computer optimize its position.  Once an optimal stator postion is obtained, I'd adjust the rotor magnets and see if the stator position remains optimal.  Baby steps for me I'm afraid.

Yada
.

[Lakes]

Looks like a job for Lego Technic and some stepper motors... 

[MeggerMan]

I did some testing tonight using the correct sized ring magnet on different diameter rotors and driving the stator magnet with a motor.
What I found was that it is very difficult to get the rotor to lock and spin AGW with a smaller diameter (85mm) and 6 magnets, where the larger diameter 125mm with 8 magnets seemed easier.
I need to do more tests.
Probably really need to use a stepper motor and a strobe light so I can see the interactions better.
What I would like to do is see if driving the stator with a DC motor can achieve fast rotor acceleration - so far its only just about syncing even when powered.
Also I may be able to fine tune the perfect rotor size and stator position.

For the stepper I could probably use a function generator and a counter IC using just 4 outputs.
I have a PIC ICEBREAKER board that has a stepper motor driver, so I could use that too.

Regards
Rob

[sterlinga]

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/v/2Dc2xTHYx0o

I've posted a feature page here.
http://peswiki.com/index.php/OS:MPMM:Replications:LaFonte:Mark

Let me know if there are any breakthroughs.