Servo - September 2016

you may wonder what other features it could possibly need. My projects never seem to really be finished as I always come up with improvements.

It may not need anything more, but one thing I currently have on my to-do list is to include a mechanism to supply smoke for the backpack (Figure 15). I have checked out a couple of systems but am still looking for just the right solution.

This project incorporated many of the features I have designed for my characters in the past, as well as some new concepts. Accentuating the mechanisms instead of trying to hide them has given this project a unique twist!

Consistently trying new things and designs means that every project will provide new challenges. This continuing process of discovery is what keeps it interesting for me and drives me to achieve ever more complex creations.

What Would YOU Do?

Before I sign off for this month, I would like to try something new. I propose that we — as a community — collaborate on a project. I have been considering ways to accomplish this for quite some time, and now events seem to have aligned to make it a reality.

One of the advantages of being a character builder is that your friends give you things to use in your craft. One such example is a recent gift I received. It is a large, round, metal ball with a two-sided clown face (Figure 16). It does not fit in with my theme but it will be perfect for this project.

I invite everyone to participate in this by providing your ideas on how this should be animated. A thread has been started in the forum for you to add your suggestions at http:// tinyurl.com/jpyzutp. All the dimensions for the clown as well as additional photos will be included in the thread. Drop into the forum, check out other’s thoughts and plans, and add your input.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with. It is time to have some fun!

Until next month, May the Passion to Build Be With You! SV

Figure 16. It is only a clown for now!

RESOURCES

ServoCity — http://tinyurl.com/j7yf5me RobotShop — http://tinyurl.com/jjlvu6l Hitec — http://tinyurl.com/zo6mjyp Actuonix Motion Devices — http://tinyurl.com/hpjrcb4

Adafruit — http://tinyurl.com/pp7um2q Haunt Hackers — Banshee — http://tinyurl.com/oy3tz5h My You Tube channel — http://tinyurl.com/nma2doj My Website — www.halstaff.com DIY Animatronics Forum — http://tinyurl.com/qjeehjs