28.0 - Electronics/Animatronics
==========================
Electronics sources - See section 99.13.
Don Klipstein's Web Site!
(http://members.misty.com/don/)
-Handy info on LEDS, laser diodes, strobes, lamps, etc.
28.1 - Electronic circuits
=========================
From: John G. Lussmyer
On Sun, 20 Aug 1995, Matthew Brady wrote:
> Perchance has anyone come across any vendors that sell units or plans
> for units for multi-channel proportional motion control systems
> utilizing standard R/C transmitters for motion sequence programming and
> standard R/C receivers & servos for repeatable sequence playback?
> Ideally, the recording unit would allow editing, that is, combining of
> separately programmed channels. I know, there's a runon sentence
> there. Sister Mary Gregory would have given me a black eye for that one!
Have you looked into using the "Basic Stamp"? It is a tiny little computer that is easy to use to control servos. You could write a program to run through a sequence of events, possibly even record a sequence. It is cheap too, depending on model. I have a friend who uses them with servos quite a bit.
From: Lycanthrope (A.K.A Larry)
Hello everyone,
Thought I would break in for a quick offering. While i am not sure
who is commercially making systems for recording and playing back
movements, I could design, and build them custom if there is interest,
and probably for a sight less money. If nothing else I could create the
schematics for such a system and post them.
If the interest is REALLY there, I could design printed circuit
boards, and actually manufacture the devices, though admittedly this is
were I would spend the majority of the time and money to create them.
Still, i could produce circuits in surface mount, which for the average
electronics hobbyist, is a frustration at best.
I am guessing that a board capable of controlling 2 servos with 256K
of memory (or 128,000 positions of storage per servo) would cost about
40-60 dollars to construct including the cost of a double sided PCB.
Such a board could be configured to store multiple selectable programs,
and could be modified to take input to select which program ran.
Other options are to use micro processor based boards, but there are
advantages to using dedicated hardware, especially for ease of
programming and use.
Is anyone interested?
From: Joe Dunfee
>from Larry Lyle
>
> Thought I would break in for a quick offering. While i am not sure
>who is commercially making systems for recording and playing back
>movements, I could design, and build them custom if there is interest,
>and probably for a sight less money. If nothing else I could create the
>schematics for such a system and post them.
I have been thinking about what would be involved in such a system
myself. I have seen a few hardware solutions for controlling multiple
servomotors (ie. 8 to 16 servos) at relatively low cost. Scott Edwards
sells one kit.
However, the real problem is software. I have been thinking the best
solution would be something that could utilize the vast collection of
MIDI sequencing programs would be the easiest. The programs are
multi-tracked and have extensive editing capability. Perhaps the note
can signify a particular servo motor and the volume of the note the
position of the servo.
> I am guessing that a board capable of controlling 2 servos with 256K
>of memory (or 128,000 positions of storage per servo) would cost about
>40-60 dollars to construct including the cost of a double sided PCB.
I think that 2 servos is way too few. The other hardware controllers I have seen can do 8 servos. Also, if you come up with a fully integrated solution, you can and should charge more money.
>Such a board could be configured to store multiple selectable programs,
>and could be modified to take input to select which program ran.
> Other options are to use micro processor based boards, but there are
>advantages to using dedicated hardware, especially for ease of
>programming and use.
I guess in the context of this discussion group, people would want a portable system that they can carry inside their costume. That would probably rule out carrying a laptop computer with you. So the dedicated hardware would probably be the best choice for this kind of use.
From: Joe Dunfee
>On Sun, 20 Aug 1995, Matthew Brady wrote:
>
>> Perchance has anyone come across any vendors that sell units or plans
>> for units for multi-channel proportional motion control systems
>> utilizing standard R/C transmitters for motion sequence programming
>> and standard R/C
>Have you looked into using the "Basic Stamp"? It is a tiny little
>computer that is easy to use to control servos.
The problem with the basic stamp is its extremely small memory size. I
am also told that the act of controlling a servo takes up alot of the
processing time anyway.
I just read the June "Nuts & Volts" magazine, they had an article by a
guy who has a special circuit that will control 8 servos and itself
accept signals from a serial port. It was $29. However, no recording software.
I would hate to spend that kind of time writing software for a hardware
product that may not be available in 1 year or so.
By the way, here is the guy who wrote the article. Scott Edwards E-mail 72037.2612@compuserve.com
From: John G. Lussmyer
> >Have you looked into using the "Basic Stamp"? It is a tiny little
> >computer that is easy to use to control servos.
>
> The problem with the basic stamp is its extremely small memory size.
> I am also told that the act of controlling a servo takes up alot of
> the processing time anyway.
I think the basic stamp II gets around those problems. (8x the RAM, and 5x the speed). It is supposedly going to be out Real-Soon-Now. (I have a friend waiting for one....)
From: Lycanthrope
Hello again everyone,
Thought I would add some info to further clarify some aspects of my
suggestion of creating circuit boards.
I have been doing work with design and construction of
circuits/circuit boards for a while and have some experience with what
it costs to design/build them. A point to note in my experience is that
the cost to build a larger circuit board when the number of boards to be
bought is small, does not increase by much with increasing board
complexity, as so much of the cost of production is in the initial design
and setup cost. If you need a board which handles 8 or 32 servos, the
initial cost will not very much over the 2 servo board.
Right now i am trying to get a feel for what everyone needs, from
this I would like to make a system which is compact, and very flexible
such that it can be adapted to most anyones needs, and wont cost you any
appendages or siblings.
I have seen three things thus far 1) The need for 8 or more servos,
2) the ability to have input for synchronization and/or program access.
3) must be small enough to be warn in a costume.
The basic system I have conceived would be programmable from a teach
pendant (like a remote control) but could easily be adapted to accept
input from a computer.
anyway.. send me more thoughts and suggestions.
28.2 - Servos
=========================
FrryFox wrote an article on servos, an introduction and reviews.
From: Joe Dunfee
Subject: Servomotor Control Circuit
I finally got around to converting to ASCII art a schematic for a
circuit that can directly control a servomotor like those used in remote
control cars. As I have mentioned before, these are also used in puppets
to electronically control them.
Please note that you must use a mono-space font to view it correctly,
or else it will be gibberish.
_____ +5 Volts
| | |
V | |
___/\/\/\_|___/\/\/\_________|
| 5k Pot 4.3k | |
| __|____|__
| | 4 8 |
|____________________|7 |
| | |
| | 555 |
| 1N457 Diode | TIMER |
|____|\|_____________|6 |___________
| |/| | | | Output to
| | | | Servo
| | | |
|__/\/\/\______|_____|2 |
56k | |__1____5__|
| | |
_|_ | _|_
0.33mF ___ | ___ 0.1mF
| | |
|________|____|
|
--|--
-|-
-
Briefly, the purpose of this circuit is to generate a pulse on the
output line for 1-2 milliseconds in duration, and then be off for about
10 milliseconds. As the 5k pot is turned the duration of the pulse will
vary and this is what signals the servomotor to move.
In actual use, I have substituted the 5k pot with two pots in
parallel. One 10k that I use for the actual moving of the servomotor and
another in parallel (maybe 100k) that serves as a gain control. (to
adjust the sensitivity of the main control pot) I also change the 4.3k
resistor for a 10k pot and it becomes the centering adjustment.
A separate power supply for the circuit and the servos themselves
might be recommended because they generate alot of noise. However, I use
a single supply for both and add large caps to filter the noise.
______________________________________
| | |Red
_|_+ ____|___ ___|___
___ 5 | | | |
___volts |control|_______________| Servo |
| - |Circuit| Output Yellow| Motor |
| |_______| Pin 3 |_______|
| | |
|____________|_______________________|Black
Hope this helps. It is a very simple circuit if you know electronics, but I know many of you reading this don't know alot. However, if you have soldered a kit together, you can probably do this circuit.
28.3 - Electroluminescence
=========================
From: Lumen Photofox
Subject: FL: Fiber Optic/EL Resources
Several 'List members have asked for more information on electroluminescent technology and fiber optic resources. My current list of stuff follows, but first, something extremely important:
A SAFETY WARNING AND DISCLAIMER:
Several members have mentioned safety/health issues with
optical fibers. It also bears mentioning safety about ANY use of
electricity in a Fursuit.
First: NEVER, EVER USE GLASS FIBERS! USE ONLY *PLASTIC* OPTICAL FIBERS IF YOU WANT TO ATTEMPT/EXPERIMENT WITH ANY OF THIS!
Moonshadow is right!
Ordinary GLASS optic fibers are TOO DANGEROUS TO USE!
They break very easily and WILL get under you skin! Image if
you have them stuck in your fingertips and then rub your eyes!
We're talking a quick trip to the emergency room! : (
USE PLASTIC FIBERS ONLY! They're softer, cheaper, and don't
break or splinter.
Secondly: BE CAREFUL WITH ELECTRICITY, ESPECIALLY HIGH VOLTAGES!
Electroluminescent lamps work on high voltage, high frequency
alternating current, make sure ALL parts and connections are
properly insulated. (Every manufacturer is different, but I've
seen power spec ranging from about 100 to 260 volts, frequency
from 60 to 1000hz, but all current ratings were in the low
milliamp per square/cm range).
I've zapped myself a couple of times from the little EL power
units I have at home and they have an unpleasant sting, but not
much else.
Still, ALWAYS be careful and design your projects for maximum
safety, for your sake and for your audience's.
Strobes are a different story.
A shock from a strobe can knock you to the floor or KILL YOU
OUTRIGHT! I'm NOT kidding. I've accidentally touched a home-built
uninsulated strobe unit and got a hellova shock, even though it
was only battery-powered!
Also remember strobe CAPACITORS HOLD A POWERFUL CHANGE EVEN WHEN
TURNED OFF!
When servicing/handling them exercise EXTREME caution!
Enclose ALL electronics in appropriate dielectric containers and
insulate all connections thoroughly.
USE COMMON SENSE - IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING, FIND OUT
HOW OR DON'T DO IT! ! !
- -High intensity incandescent bulbs can get hot enough to blister skin IN SECONDS. Enclose the bulbs so no one, 'suiter or spectator, can come in contact with them. Better still, use low voltage, cool LEDS instead.
- -ALWAYS have a main safety FUSE in your 'suit circuitry. Even a NiCad power-pak can dump enough power to burn you BAD if it gets short-circuited. Batteries can leak or burst too, if shorted.
- -Take appropriated safety measures when working with ANYTHING TOXIC. (Its been said before - I'm sayin it again)
DISCLAIMER: All information supplied in ANY of my posts or Emails is supplied "AS IS". It WILL obviously contain errors as this is an experiment; I'm learning this as I go along. It also means YOU USE THIS INFORMATION ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. I bear no responsibility or liability WHATSOEVER for any loss, injury, damage or liability you may suffer using any part of it.
Every wolf needs a tail right? I could not find anyone making animatronic
tails, so I decided to fill that void...
A web photo gallery displaying all the pics taken during construction is here:
http://www.wolftronix.com/tail/
28.4 - Remote control
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28.5 - Animatronics/Articulation
=========================
From: WolfTail
Subj: Wolf tail creation