Thread: The Nightmare Box

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For 2011, I've decided to do a small walkthrough in the garage.

The idea is that a mad scientist has created a machine that will look into your mind and turn your nightmares into a reality, using the Nightmare Box. 2-3 peeps at a time will climb into the box, at which time the doors will close, sending them into a 60 second "show" that will consist of lighting FX and sound FX. While this is going on, the box, will slide sideways 3', hopefully unnoticed. Once the travel is complete, the doors will open again, revealing a different part of the maze, and they have to navigate through their own nightmares to the exit.

Below is a video of the prototype Nightmare Box. (as of right now, it's just a platform. Framing of the box will start as soon as I'm done typing this message.)

I'll update this post as I get more videos made!


-=CoasterBP

EDIT!!! Part two updated! New video!!!

Just wondering, what type of plc are you using and did you use all thread or acme thread? Real nice job, I'll be looking foward to see the finished product!!

This is such a cool concept! The ToTs are going to love it! Cant wait for the next update! Just out of curiosity, how were you going to decorate the interior of the box? Elevator style, or just machineish/ Love the whole idea so far though!

I'm using a Siemens 1200 PLC. They're cheap, for a PLC and are pretty powerful. The inside of the box will be machine-themed. Original concept was going to be an elevator style approach, but I decided to go with a machine that turns your nightmares into reality instead.

The piece of threaded rod is standard all thread. Framing of the box is complete as well. Doors are hinged. I will work on getting the doors pneumatically actuated tomorrow morning.

Thanks for watching!

-=CoasterBP

Wow! That is a really cool idea and way to do it! Are you going to post a tutorial on how you did it? I might want to do something like that for next year! I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product as well! What are you going to do to keep the peeps distracted while they are in there? What kind of show are you planning?

Just the sound of it builds up the suspense. Very inventive!

Inside the machine, there will be several different lighting FX, including strobes and some RGB LED fixtures that will be synchronized with Light-o-rama to a soundscape of all different sorts of unnerving noises and sounds. I'm about to head back out into the garage and get these doors pneumatically actuated.....as soon as I finish this cup of coffee.....

Thanks for all the kind words. I'm having a great time sharing my project with everyone and I promise to do my best to keep posting videos as more gets completed.

-=CoasterBP

(Avatar)Always had the hardest time pausing that scene from the Exorcist on VHS

Great build, it will work great.

If you want it to be smooth as butter and not noticed look into linear slides. They are huge cylinders that can support some major weight. The 2 I have throw out 4 ft of stroke. It is a magnetic piston inside the slide that travels along a track or "stand" that pushes/pulls the slide when air is applied or removed. You would just attach the platform to both slides then you would be done.

Most bigger linear slides have 3/8 openings and except poly hose of the same size, but if you either add 3/8 flow control valves or reduce the input to 1/4 to get the slow movement you have. If you removed the back/reset flow control the next loadup of kids would be faster.

It looks like you have a great idea and new ideas keep Halloween fresh. Thanks for sharing.

This is really cool and a great idea using an all thread to reduce the jerking. I'll be watching this thread for sure!

very cool idea...I was initially thinking that it was just too loud and that the noise would give it away...but the more I listened to it the more I thought that the sound actually added to the "mystery" of the machine...

very cool concept...can't wait to see the finished product!!

dK