Author Topic: 2D Theatre Project needs newbie help  (Read 2188 times)

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Offline HowlyTopic starter

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2D Theatre Project needs newbie help
« on: June 08, 2011, 07:20:18 PM »
Hello,

I'm a part of a theatre/stage project and have a bit of a dilemma. We're building an inner city-type landscape that will be very busy. Signs that light up, lots of objects and colors, moving parts, etc. All made out of basic materials like paper, plastic, and cardboard.

In one part of the set we've built a 2-D character (made of foam board, foil, and plaster) and want it's arm to move up and down at a slow, repetitive pace (as if it's waving), but we aren't really sure how to go about it. We have the arm detached, we just need to know what mechanical parts we need exactly to make this work.

Any advice?

Offline adanvasco

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Re: 2D Theatre Project needs newbie help
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2011, 08:48:03 PM »
Do you need it to be totally mechanical or can it include electric parts?
Knowledge does not weigh.

Offline HowlyTopic starter

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Re: 2D Theatre Project needs newbie help
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2011, 09:41:17 PM »
Actually, it could be anything. We're looking for the simplest and most practical way to do this, so we would love to hear whatever advice or ideas you have!

Offline waltr

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Re: 2D Theatre Project needs newbie help
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2011, 07:32:07 AM »
How about a Windshield wiper motor and gear box.

Offline Asellith

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Re: 2D Theatre Project needs newbie help
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2011, 10:07:08 AM »
Are you using DMX for lighting control? You could connect a servo to a linkage and make that move the arm.

DMX to Servo controller

http://www.bpesolutions.com/dmxproduct.html#anchor850620

Kinda pricy stuff but versatile in a DMX environment.

Another option is a slow gear motor and a relay setup. Use limit stitches on the arms so when it gets to a specific point a relay is latched on till the other limit switch is hit. The arm will move back and forth.

One final idea that we used a few years back to actuate a clock face was to connect a DC wall wort to an old drill motor. Then we used the theatres dimmer system to control how fast it ran. In your situation you could use a linkage setup to translate the rotation into linear motion. That would allow you to speed up or slow down the waving as needed for the program. Could probably be done with an offset circle and a rod attached to the arm that is hinged to the torso.

sounds like a fun project.
Jonathan Bowen
CorSec Engineering
www.corseceng.com

 


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