Thread: New Project "The Politician"

Motor thought. What about a stepper motor? ( I have some steppers, but don't think I have an operable controller, but I'll have a dig)

Are you going to be power limited (for example, does this need to be battery operated, or would a power lead be ok?) as that also has an impact on motor choice.

There are two purposes for the mechanism, the cams which operate the figure, and a separate, but entirely dependant upon the main, which operate the front section. The main gear for the latter meshes with a gear on the camshaft and activates a Scotch Yoke with pause. An inline pin gear meshes with an actuator arrangement to move another figure in front.
This completes the automaton mechanicals, 300 very enjoyable hours over four months. Now begins the refinement work to remove stresses becoming evident, and improve the motion created by the cams, which usually require modifications. The motor drive also.

Mechanism Close up - Rear.mp4

Mechanism - Door.mp4

A very kind person has undertaken the sewing of the suit, which will take some time I think.

Thanks for watching,

Regards,
Gus

Be Safe !

Gus, The mp4’s aren’t working sir. Sorry. Cheers Peter

Thanks Peter,
Just tried playing them, they worked, can't imagine why not on your computer. Did the double click ?
Cheers
Gus

they work for me

Hi Brett, thank you very much, and apologies for the late reply, saw your post only yesterday. Stepper motors, foreign to me, as are DC motors really. I don't want a power cord trailing on the floor, so battery operated it must be. Have had a success of sorts with a motor purchased on ebay, but it does struggle. Maybe I can relieve some of that stress by altering cam angles. Gearing is not that easy either, but that is the nature of automata building. Eventually it all falls in place.
Thanks for your support,
Regards,
Gus

Hi Gus,

Top workmanship by you with those mechanisms.

I love your work and ingenuity.

Keep up the top work

Regards

Keith