Animated props are formidable attention getting and entertainment elements at exhibitions, theme parks and holidays. They involve articulating frames usually covered with "flesh and skin" to give the desired final appearance. This project shows how to use Roboteq controllers and commercial hardware/software to build large and heavy animated structures.

Important Warning and Disclaimer
Moving heavy structures may cause damage and injury in case of programming errors or equipment malfunction.
This information is provided for reference only with no warranty. Users of this information shall do so assuming their own responsibility and liability

Animatronics vs. Robotics

Animated props are formidable attention getting and entertainment elements at exhibitions, theme parks and holidays attractions. They involve articulating frames usually covered with "flesh and skin" to give the desired final appearance.

Animatronics, as opposed to Robotics, only deals with creating (normally time-based) repetitive actions with no or little change in the routine upon external events.

All roboteq controllers may be used to build jumbo servos capable of moving heavy loads to desired positions. Motion can be linear or rotational depending on the actuator used. In all cases, a position feedback device - usually a potentiometer - is used to detect the assembly's actual position. The controller uses the desired vs actual position information to move the motor one direction vs the other and eventually stop when the desired position is reached.

Required Equipment

The quickest way of achieving results is to use third party animatronics hardware and software that is readily available for use with low power servos. The figure below shows how a complete system can be built using such an animatronics system, enhanced with Roboteq's controllers.

Component Description:

Animatronics Software: This PC-based package allow the editing and playback of several synchronized RC servos. A graphical user interface displays the audio track's waveform and let the user set the position each servo is to reach at any desired time, as well as the rate (how fast) the servo is to move to the new position. Brookshire Software's Visual Show Automation software is the most complete and powerful such package.

RS232 to Multiple Servo adapter: This component is used to create the RC Pulses based on information received from serial port. While several such products exist on the market, only adapters that are compatible with the Animatronics Software can be used. The mini SSC is a popular product that is supported by the VSA software. Tho modules may be used for a total of 16 channels.

Commercial RC servos: Many elements, even in large props, require little force to move. For example, the eyes of an animated creature. For these standard to "heavy duty" servos can be used. RC Servos are widely available from several vendors.

Roboteq Controllers with Motor and Pot assemblies: As a rule of thumb, any mechanical assembly weighing more than 10kg (20lbs) is most likely beyond the lifting power of any commercial servo - depending of course on where it is located related to the servo, and how fast it is required to move. For these, any of Roboteq's controller's may be used in the position mode to create the equivalent of RC Servos (two per controller) but of far larger power.

In the closed-loop position mode, the axle of a geared down motor is coupled to a potentiometer that is used to compare the angular position of the axle versus a desired position. Depending on the kind of motion desired, linear actuators may be used in lieu of motors. Likewise, the potentiometer may be located at any location in the mechanical assembly s long as it is relatively tightly mechanically coupled to the motor (i.e. no slack). Motors may be driving hydraulic pumps connected to moving pistons, in which case the potentiometer will need be coupled to the piston. If the potentiometer senses that the motor has not reached the desired position, power will be applied to the motor until that difference becomes zero. A PID filter is incorporated inside the controller to ensure that the motor moves as quickly as possible to the end destination without overshoot and/or oscillation

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