Transmitter for Animatronics
- Thread starter Fxguy1
- Start date
Fxguy1
Well-Known Member
Nothing specific right now. I want to get a transmitter / receiver that’s programmable and 8 channel so I can start to experiment with different animatronics projects. I’m working on a robot hand and animatronic eyes at the moment. Currently working with a Futaba Skysport TY4 at the moment
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xl97
Master Member
It depends..
You can use bluetooth.... wi-fi , RF..etc.. there are MANY protocols.
Something that you may need to R&D to find the best approach for you.
Distance you need to control something from?
You dont just need a 'transmitter'.. but you also need a 'receiver' as well.
I saw the eye mechanism thread..
and I didnt catch your specifics..
but how are you controlling the servo currently? There needs to be some sort of 'driver' board that lets the servo which way to turn and how much..etc..
Usually this done with a micro controller of some kind (Arduino..etc)
Sorry I just googled: Futaba Skysport TY4
That seems to be a transmitter and receiver...no?
I guess I'm not clear on the problem you are trying to solve then?
You can use bluetooth.... wi-fi , RF..etc.. there are MANY protocols.
Something that you may need to R&D to find the best approach for you.
Distance you need to control something from?
You dont just need a 'transmitter'.. but you also need a 'receiver' as well.
I saw the eye mechanism thread..
and I didnt catch your specifics..
but how are you controlling the servo currently? There needs to be some sort of 'driver' board that lets the servo which way to turn and how much..etc..
Usually this done with a micro controller of some kind (Arduino..etc)
Sorry I just googled: Futaba Skysport TY4
That seems to be a transmitter and receiver...no?
I guess I'm not clear on the problem you are trying to solve then?
propmaster2000
Sr Member
.
Are you looking to control multiple servos as well as DC motors, lights, solenoids, relays, etc. to be controlled by hand, manually with the transmitter
or computer controlled automatically using a transmitter to the receiver to the remote location?
When you say programmable, I would think all 8 channels would need to send information independently of each other for good animatronic function.
The transmitter for the Futaba Skysport TY4 controls the servos with your involvement. If you have the means to modify this, you can effect the
output of the transmitter externally with your own input signals from a controller.
Are you looking to control multiple servos as well as DC motors, lights, solenoids, relays, etc. to be controlled by hand, manually with the transmitter
or computer controlled automatically using a transmitter to the receiver to the remote location?
When you say programmable, I would think all 8 channels would need to send information independently of each other for good animatronic function.
The transmitter for the Futaba Skysport TY4 controls the servos with your involvement. If you have the means to modify this, you can effect the
output of the transmitter externally with your own input signals from a controller.
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Fxguy1
Well-Known Member
Ok, so when I say programmable I'm referring to the ability to record and playback sequences, The Futaba Skysport TY4 does include the receiver, but requires involvement. The ability to control DC Motors, lights, etc.. would be beneficial. I guess what I'm looking for is a "entry" level kit that is more advanced than the TY4 that I currently have that would allow me some hands on experience with designing and building animatronics. Already with my eye mech I'm learning that I know very little when it comes to engineering or mechanical movements. Any suggestions on a good resource to learn those? I was thinking of starting with the book 501 Mechanical Movements, but maybe there is a better resource out there?
propmaster2000
Sr Member
Maybe a PLC (programmable logic control) with multiple output types is your answer.
Ok...you've actually got the Radio Tx/ Rx, what you want to do is use it to trigger pre-programmed motion sequences, right?
Try a SSC32 from Lynxmotion, a cheap microcontroller that can be used to control up to 32 servos simultaneously, or some servos and lights and stuff. They can be daisy-chained together to control way more than 32 servos, as well.
http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-1032-ssc-32u-usb-servo-controller.aspx
http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-443-lynxmotion-visual-sequencer-seq-01.aspx
Try a SSC32 from Lynxmotion, a cheap microcontroller that can be used to control up to 32 servos simultaneously, or some servos and lights and stuff. They can be daisy-chained together to control way more than 32 servos, as well.
http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-1032-ssc-32u-usb-servo-controller.aspx
http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-443-lynxmotion-visual-sequencer-seq-01.aspx
Fxguy1
Well-Known Member
This looks awesome. Havent had a chance to read into it yet but will when I get some time.
I'm a total newbie when it comes to animatronics and there's not much out there in the way of books or education so trying to learn more about it is somewhat difficult. As far as animatronics in film go, what all is out there in terms of animatronics and how they are controlled?
I know there are rod and cable control puppets and servo controlled mechanisms, probably some actuator / linear solenoid / motor controlled movements as well. Then as far as performance, manual control, radio control, and preprogrammed sequences. What am I missing? I guess I should have titled this post Animatronics - Where to start?
Well, as far as movie animatronics go, most shops in Hollyweird like to use pneumatic cylinders...they are fast and strong, but not very precise. Or for the big stuff they use hydraulics...like Legacy Effects. I tend to prefer servomotors...windshield-wiper motors, ATV winches and cordless drills modified to be linear actuators. This gives me power with fine control. If you counter-weight the heavy parts, the motors only have to move the Mass of the part, not the weight too.
Alot of people/ shops these days are relying heavily on Arduino or Raspberry Pi controllers, writing a hundred lines of code to get the servos to do a simple eyeblink. I tend to design my creatures with alot of built-in mechanical linkages...so when the dragon walks, linkages roll his shoulders, his wings dip slightly as his muscles shift, etc. I don't have to write code...and hope to get the timing right...as he walks the mechanical linkages make him sway, move his legs, all in perfect time.
As for learning animatronics, it depends on how varied your skillbase is. Know alot about servos, mechanical design, welding? If you have knowledge in these subjects, and you watch the video below, you can pick up alot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3BMrt3PD6A
Alot of people/ shops these days are relying heavily on Arduino or Raspberry Pi controllers, writing a hundred lines of code to get the servos to do a simple eyeblink. I tend to design my creatures with alot of built-in mechanical linkages...so when the dragon walks, linkages roll his shoulders, his wings dip slightly as his muscles shift, etc. I don't have to write code...and hope to get the timing right...as he walks the mechanical linkages make him sway, move his legs, all in perfect time.
As for learning animatronics, it depends on how varied your skillbase is. Know alot about servos, mechanical design, welding? If you have knowledge in these subjects, and you watch the video below, you can pick up alot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3BMrt3PD6A
Fxguy1
Well-Known Member
Oddmar, so you build in a lot of motion that is basically self controlled (so when walking the linkages move the associated anatomy as you stated) ? I hadn't thought of that. Right now I'm working on small scale facial / head animatronics. So Micro Servos and the like. I've got a pretty good skill base in woodworking and metal working (however I've really only have the tools for woodworking. I lack a Mill or Lathe to do much precision in metal).
Mechanical design is probably the weakest as I've not really done much with things that aren't static. I'm working through the Animatronic Eye course from Stan Winston School right now. Having a 3D printer helps quite a bit.
Mechanical design is probably the weakest as I've not really done much with things that aren't static. I'm working through the Animatronic Eye course from Stan Winston School right now. Having a 3D printer helps quite a bit.
