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Magnetic Levitation the Easy Way

Magnetic Levitation the Easy Way
Magnetic Levitation the Easy Way
Two similar DIY magnetic levitation projects from designer Peter Neufeld are presented on the Elektor Labs pages, in both cases a Lego figure that floats in the air. Both work on the same principle: the strength of a magnetic field between an electromagnet and a neodymium magnet is measured with a Hall-sensor and the electromagnet is controlled depending on this measured value. The difference between the projects is in the control circuit: the first is “hardware only” and uses an analog comparator, while in the second a M5Stack Atom ESP32 Pico microcontroller module is used.
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Materials

Component list

Component list

Resistors

R1 = 4k7

R2 = 18 k

R3 = 220 k

R4,R6 = 220 Ω

R5* = 1k2

R7 = 470 Ω

RV1 = 20 k multiturn trimmer

 

Capacitors

C1 = 47 µ, 10 V radial

C2 = 100 n

 

Semiconductors

D1 = 1N4001

D2*,D5 = red LED

D3 = white LED

D4* = not mounted (or remove from relay board)

Q1* = BC550

U1 = Hall sensor A1302 or A1308 (Allegro)

U2 = LM311 comparator

 

Miscellaneous

5V relay board *

SW1 = slide switch

Neodymium disk magnets*

 

*= see text

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