Reciprocating linear actuator for wave generation

[Sushiboy225]

Hello,

Has anyone had experience or heard of someone using a rotary linear actuator to plunge a mass into the surface of the water to create wide sine waves.

My main problem with using a power head or wave maker is the light reflections on the sand always look so erratic and non natural. I want that look the bottom of a pool has and the only way I get it is if I’m bobbing a cup up and down in my tank.

Something like this


Thanks for reading

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

You’re better off making a surge box. Too many factors involved in building what you want. It can be done, we’ve done it in the past for tv commercials. But a permanent installation is another beast.

Curious to see what you do. Will help along along the way :)

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Has anyone had experience or heard of someone using a rotary linear actuator to plunge a mass into the surface of the water to create wide sine waves.

rhizotron on the forum here has some good stuff on this:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/gantry-water-ripple-generator.1034088/https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/plastic-beach-traveling-water-wave-machine.961846/

 

[rhizotron]

I got a quick Instagram video up for another one of these projects. This one uses a stepper motor gantry assembly with the paddle running back and forth on a timing belt. It moves water around the tank real nice and creates a nice water caustics ripple effect.

A few other ideas come to mind for variations on this paddle design and other details.