DIY: How to make a small crane (elevator)

1) 12 V DC gear motor and around 100 – 300 RPM (if you want to lift more weight (load) use a very low RPM motor of 1 to 10 RPM)

Fig. 1: Typical image of DC gear motor

2) DC Motor Mounting Clamp

Fig. 2: Typical image of DC motor mounting clamp

3) Long and strong rope about 5 meters (the length of the rope must be in accordance with the requirements)

Fig. 3: Image of 5 meter rope

4) Piece of PVC pipe (about 4” – 6” long)

Fig. 4: Typical image of PVC pipe

5) Collect the following components

Fig. 5: Image of electronic components used in manufacturing the crane

LIST OF COMPONENTS

Fig. 6: List of components required for electronically controlled small crane

Now start making arrangements.

1) First, secure the DC motor to any base platform using a mounting clamp. Attach the mounting clamp to a platform and screw it down. Then secure the motor with the nut bolt to this mounting bracket.

2) Now attach a piece of PVC pipe to the motor shaft. To do this, make a hole in the PVC pipe and attach it to the hole made in the motor shaft with a screw or wire.

3) Now make another hole in the PVC pipe in the center. Pass the string through the hole and tie it so that it does not go through the hole in the tube.

4) Tie the basket to the other end of the string

Refer to the figure to get a better idea.

Fig. 7: Diagram of a crane based on a simple DC motor

Now, as the motor rotates clockwise, the string begins to wrap around the PVC pipe. Then the basket lifts and as the motor turns counterclockwise the string unwraps (releases) and the basket lowers.

So the next task is to make a circuit to rotate the motor clockwise and counterclockwise. You already have the necessary components.

1) Connect the collector* of both NPN transistors and connect it to the +Ve (RED) terminal of the battery

2) Connect the collectors of both PNP transistors and connect them to the –Ve (BLACK) terminal of the battery

3) Connect the emitter* of the PNP and NPN transistors and connect them to the motor terminals as shown

4) Connect the base* of the NPN and PNP transistors on one side as shown

5) Connect a 10K resistor from collector to base and a button between base and collector as shown on both sides

*note: for transistor collector, emitter and base terminals, see datasheet 2N3904/2N3906

• Now when button 1 is pressed, transistors Q1 and Q4 are turned on, then the motor will start rotating clockwise

• When button 2 is pressed, transistors Q2 and Q3 are turned on, then the motor will start to rotate counterclockwise

And that. Our task is completed. When pressing button 1, the motor will rotate clockwise, the string will be wound and the basket will lift. Likewise, when you press button 2, the motor will rotate counterclockwise, the string will unwind and the basket will descend.

Here is the summary of the project organization.

Figure 8: Crane prototype based on simple electronically controlled DC motor

Here I used a 100 RPM motor. With this, I can lift 200 grams of weight. As I said earlier, to lift more weight, use a lower RPM motor such as 30 RPM, 10 RPM and 5 RPM, etc.

Circuit diagrams

Project video