noisy servo motors

[mbz4]

• we rely on cheap continuous rotation analog sg90 servo motors for the flippers/ears on the RSC
• they cause vibrations, noise and electrical feedback noise when operating
• no position feedback means flippers end up in random locations when done rotating, causing frustration and disrupt study flow
• keeping to the same design features for RSCv4.1 we need to look for alternatives and potentially also non-continuous rotation servos

[mbz4]

Servo Model	Description	Form Factor	Noise/Vibration Reduction
DS3218 Servo	Digital servo offering smoother and more precise control, reducing noise and vibration.	Slightly larger than SG90	Significant reduction due to digital control
Feetech FS90R	Designed for continuous rotation with less internal friction, quieter and smoother than SG90.	Same as SG90	Moderate reduction due to design improvements
Pololu Sub-Micro 360° Servo	High-quality, low-noise servo, modifiable for continuous rotation, with better internal components.	Slightly smaller than SG90	Moderate reduction with potential modifications
HXT900 Micro Servo	Similar to SG90 but with better build quality, leading to less noise and vibration.	Same as SG90	Slight reduction due to improved build quality
Analog vs. Digital Servos	Digital servos offer more frequent control signals, resulting in smoother operation and less noise.	Varies depending on model	Significant reduction when using digital servos
Vibration Dampening	Consider soft mounting techniques like rubber grommets or foam padding, and running at lower voltage.	Applicable to all models	Moderate reduction through mounting adjustments

[mbz4]

Or if we move away from servo motors entirely but stay in the similar size range:

Motor Model	Description	Form Factor	Position Feedback	Noise/Vibration Reduction
Feetech FS90R w/ Encoder	A modified version of the FS90R with an added encoder for position feedback. Smooth and relatively quiet.	Same as SG90	Integrated encoder for position feedback	Moderate reduction due to design improvements
Pololu Micro Metal Gearmotor + Encoder	A tiny motor with an integrated encoder, offering precise position control. Slightly larger than SG90.	Slightly larger than SG90	Integrated encoder on motor shaft	Significant reduction due to high-quality build
TT Motor with Encoder	Slightly larger but still compact motor with integrated encoder, designed for low noise and smooth operation.	Larger than SG90	Integrated encoder on motor shaft	Moderate reduction due to better components
Miuzei N20 Gear Motor + Encoder	Compact gear motor with integrated encoder, very quiet, suitable for precision applications.	Slightly larger than SG90	Integrated encoder for high precision	Significant reduction due to high-quality build
HobbyKing HK15320	Digital servo with built-in encoder, known for smooth operation and quieter performance.	Same as SG90	Integrated digital encoder	Moderate reduction due to digital control

[mbz4]

https://www.pololu.com/product/2820

something to try out perhaps?

[mbz4]

https://www.towerpro.com.tw/product/mg90s-3/ or a metal gear alternative?