Inverted N20 Micro Metal Gear Motor 6V 200 RPM - Ultra-Compact Linear Actuator with M4 x 100mm Threaded Shaft

Specifications

• Motor Type: N20 Micro DC Gear Motor (Inverted)

• Operating Voltage: 6V DC

• No-Load Speed: 200 RPM

• Linear Travel Speed: ~2.33 mm/sec

• Shaft Type: Fully Threaded Lead Screw (Inverted/Backward facing)

• Shaft Thread Size: M4

• Shaft Length: 100mm

• Gearbox Material: Brass and Steel

• Terminals: Dual Solder Tabs (rear of motor)

Key Applications and Projects

• Micro Robotic Grippers: Using the inverted profile to build a tiny, fast-actuating pincer claw for a small robotic arm without a long shaft sticking out the back.

• Compact Automated Locks: Creating a motorized deadbolt or latch for a small jewelry box or hidden compartment where depth space is severely limited.

• Miniature RC Steering: Acting as a high-torque, linear steering rack for custom 1/32 or 1/24 scale RC vehicles.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• The Smart Hidden Drawer Lock: Because this motor is so short, it can fit inside the side-wall of a wooden desk drawer. Evolve your furniture by threading a brass M4 nut onto the shaft and mounting it to a sliding locking pin. Connect the motor to an ESP8266 Wi-Fi board and a DRV8833 motor driver. You can now use your smartphone to trigger the 200 RPM motor, quickly sliding the pin to lock or unlock a hidden compartment in under 3 seconds!

Package Includes:

• 1 x N20 Micro Metal Gear Motor (6V, 200 RPM) with Inverted M4 x 100mm Threaded Shaft

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What does "inverted type" mean? Standard motors have the shaft pointing straight out the front. This "inverted" version has a gearbox that turns the output 180 degrees, so the threaded shaft extends backward over the motor body, saving massive amounts of space.

2. What is the operating voltage for this motor? It is optimized for a 6V DC power source (e.g., four AA batteries or a 5V/6V voltage regulator).

3. What is the rotational speed? It spins at a brisk 200 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) when powered with 6V.

4. What size is the threaded shaft? The shaft features standard M4 metric threading.

5. How long is the threaded shaft? The threaded rod is exactly 100mm long.

6. How fast will a nut travel linearly along this shaft? An M4 thread has a pitch of 0.7mm. At 200 RPM, the nut will move at approximately 140mm per minute, or roughly 2.33mm per second.

7. How does this act as a linear actuator? You must thread your own M4 nut onto the shaft. If you physically constrain the nut so it cannot spin, the rotating threads will force the nut to travel up or down the rod.

8. Does it come with an M4 nut? No, the package includes the motor and threaded shaft only. A brass M4 nut is highly recommended to reduce thread friction.

9. Can I run this motor on 3V? Yes, you can run a 6V N20 motor on 3V. It will spin at exactly half the speed (100 RPM) and produce less torque.

10. Can I run this on a 9V battery? While it will spin very fast on 9V, it will cause the tiny internal brushes to overheat and dramatically shorten the lifespan of the motor. It is not recommended.

11. How do I reverse the direction of travel? Simply swap the positive and negative connections on your power supply. Reversing the polarity reverses the motor direction, pulling the nut the opposite way.

12. How do I connect wires to this motor? There are two small solder tabs on the black plastic end-cap of the cylindrical motor housing. You must use a fine-tipped soldering iron.

13. Are the internal gears metal or plastic? The N20 series utilizes an all-metal micro spur gearbox for maximum durability.

14. Is this motor self-locking? Not entirely. While the gear reduction provides some resistance, a heavy force pushing linearly against the nut can potentially back-drive the motor when power is off.

15. Does this have built-in limit switches? No. If the nut hits the end of the shaft or jams against the gearbox, the motor will stall and potentially burn out. You must build your own external micro limit switches into your project.

16. How do I mount this motor? The brass gearbox faceplate features two tiny threaded holes (typically M1.6 size) for securing it to a bracket.

17. Can I connect this directly to a Raspberry Pi or Arduino? No! Microcontrollers cannot output enough current to drive a motor. You must wire the motor to a micro motor driver (like a DRV8833 or L298N Mini) and control the driver with the Arduino.

18. Can I cut the 100mm shaft shorter? Yes, you can easily trim the steel M4 shaft with a rotary tool (like a Dremel) or a hacksaw if your project requires an even shorter throw.

19. What happens if the motor stalls? If the motor stalls (the nut jams but power is still applied), it will draw its maximum "stall current." This generates rapid heat and can destroy the motor coils in seconds. Always use limit switches.

20. Is this motor waterproof? No, the brass gear plates, motor casing seams, and rear solder tabs are completely exposed. It must be kept dry.