Servo - September 2016

ServoCity (Figure 13). The ability to quickly design and assemble a mechanism makes this system invaluable to me. They are constantly adding new components which continue to make the system even more useful.

Even with all the available options for components provided by the Actobotics system, I still needed to fabricate some of the specialized parts. If you find yourself in the same predicament, you will need to have a few tools on hand. My favorite tool is a Dremel with a selection of attachments, but a hacksaw, vise, drill and bits, grinder or files, and a tap and die set will all be useful.

RC Radio Transmitters and Receivers — Long the domain of the RC electronics groups to control their cars and planes, these have many uses for the prop designer as well. Professional prop shops use them extensively to manipulate their characters when used in movies and commercials. We can take a page from their playbook and take advantage of them, as well.

When I was laying out Jarvis’ design, it became very apparent early on that my basic four-channel model would not be able to handle all the features I had planned. I decided to use my Tactic TTX410 four-channel transmitter to be responsible for controlling the track drive motors and the pan and tilt system for the GoPro.

Manipulating the arms would require a transmitter with significantly more horsepower. I chose the Futaba 10CHG to handle that role. By using a combination of the joysticks and switches, I was able to configure it to control the eight servos used in the arms.

I am still developing my skills using the two transmitters simultaneously (Figure 14). Soon Jarvis will respond exactly as I want, but in the meantime I am satisfied to see his motions get smoother each time I practice.

I am in the process of adding a mounting plate to a photography vest to hold the two transmitters comfortably in front of me which will allow me to be as mobile as possible.