Muppet Movie Kermit's banjo

[ChickenHaunt]

Really cool build

 

[russellsch]

Thank you! I will definitely check out the car chrome. & thank you also for the painting tips

 

[flimzy]

not quite got the head right yet

 

[flimzy]

time to start on the meck. it's the programming that will be a challenge for me as I'm very new to Arduino

 

[teslabe]

Take a look at these, I've used them on a couple of projects, very easy to use and setup.

Pololu - Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller (Assembled)

The six-channel Micro Maestro raises the performance bar for serial servo controllers with features such as a native USB interface and internal scripting control. Whether you want high-performance servo control (0.25 μs resolution with built-in speed and acceleration control) or a general I/O...

www.pololu.com

 

[ecl]

Love this!!!!!

 

[flimzy]

from sewing to the keyboard. this is printing now as the first go. I went with direct drive even though there will be sound from the servos but it is inside the puppet so that may help.

 

[flimzy]

going through the dregs of whatever filament I have left. I think my favorite supplier has gone under Faberdashery based here in the UK :-(

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

That's an insane project, looks awesome!

 

[LTsmash1200]

Have you seen the Prop Culture episode on the Muppet Movie yet? They show the banjo in it. It's pretty cool.

 

[flimzy]

I may need to change to real Futaba servos at the base the cheap clones are a bit slow . the hard part of programming is next. I might have to call a friend if I get stuck.

 

[flimzy]

Have you seen the Prop Culture episode on the Muppet Movie yet? They show the banjo in it. It's pretty cool.

Just watched it. fantastic show. wish they did more than just Disney films. I didn't think the banjo they show at the end looked like the one in the movie. it's too thin and the bit that holds the string isn't made of metal?

 

[flimzy]

It does look like the ribbon is right

It is car trim used for the chrome

at some point its been split in half for display at some point, that's a tape mark. the camera work on the show was terrible for grabbing details. I'm pretty sure this is the real on as we used to store everything ( not very well but we did store things for reuse). There must have been 2 because 1 is mechanical.

 

[flimzy]

not started lip sink yet and head needs work but its a first test

 

[Egon Spengler]

This is outstanding and it's not even finished yet! WOW!

 

[flimzy]

body and banjo wired up.

 

[flimzy]

Take a look at these, I've used them on a couple of projects, very easy to use and setup.

Pololu - Micro Maestro 6-Channel USB Servo Controller (Assembled)

The six-channel Micro Maestro raises the performance bar for serial servo controllers with features such as a native USB interface and internal scripting control. Whether you want high-performance servo control (0.25 μs resolution with built-in speed and acceleration control) or a general I/O...

www.pololu.com

View attachment 1292597

this is a fantastic bit of kit I wish I'd know about these years ago. I recommend anyone doing a lighting or servo project who isn't quite ready to jump in to Arduino yet. Its so easy to use. Granted full-on lip sink is on its limits. It's hard for me back in the day we had the Henson control system and people who knew what they were doing. so I could have just recorded a performance and tweaked it. I'm going about it in a funny way which is probably long-winded and frustrating but it can always be improved at a later date.

 

[teslabe]

flimzy, love the project, it's so nostalgic, fun, clever and really puts a smile on my face every time I see an update, great job..... For Kermits mouth movements have you looked into a "voice coil" actuator, far more "articulate" control with this kind of approach, you could literly let the audio drive the movement reather than trying to appocamet it with a servo, just a thought..... Keep the posting coming, it a bright spot in a very strange world.....
voice coil actuator - Google Search

 

[teslabe]

Sorry, I should have posted a picture and some more info, they are simuler to a selonod but with finer control of its movement.
StackPath

 

[flimzy]

I've modified my 3D model to match the banjo from the Disney show. I'm not going to make mine again as its close enough for me. Look forward to seeing other people's builds. It never occurred to me it was a K on the banjo until watching the show, it makes perfect sense now.