Thread: Rotating/Sway mechanics

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Hi All,

I've been trying to figure out the armature, link and general mechanics that will allow props such as Creepy Cathy, Rotating Zombie or even Donna the Dead to move the upper body in a rotation.

I'm going to attempt to make a similarly moving prop using a wiper motor, but I can't wrap my head around the build.

Does anyone have an idea, or own one of these props to share the inner workings?

Thanks

I'm thinking a Shiatsu motor is the way to go.

Are you talking about movement like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdrvWktTgUM

I did a little more searching and found this tutorial. http://home.comcast.net/~uk_teejay/t...avegrabber.htm

That's not bad, but is there a way to do it with a wiper motor?
Thanks for the link.

Yes there is Check out Fright Props. They have a controller that you can use. It will "record" the motion you want the prop to make and repeat it over and over. I believe the video they show used a wiper motor.

Originally Posted by BeaconSamurai

Yes there is Check out Fright Props. They have a controller that you can use. It will "record" the motion you want the prop to make and repeat it over and over. I believe the video they show used a wiper motor.

Yes, the PicoVolt is the controller. I have a couple and they work great.
My question is how to connect the wiper motor to an armature in a way that would produce a rotation. I can't get around the linear motion that a motor will produce. The linear motion is great for sway back&forth or side to side. But to get an object to follow a circular path is the trick.

Do you mean a spinning motion in place or more like an orbit around something? Not sure what motion you want (I can be dense sometimes). When I try these things I look for something mechicanical that does that motion. For my Peek A Boo (mine only goes up and down in a straight line) I simply copied the motion of a piston.

A wiper motor doesn't make a linear motion without linkage added to it.

If you want the motion to be a zombie like circle then you add a small crank to the motor and connect your prop to the crank. But honestly the vent motor would be a better choice because you would get a slower rotation and more lifelike.

Originally Posted by BeaconSamurai

Do you mean a spinning motion in place or more like an orbit around something? Not sure what motion you want (I can be dense sometimes). When I try these things I look for something mechicanical that does that motion. For my Peek A Boo (mine only goes up and down in a straight line) I simply copied the motion of a piston.

Like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDE3Sms9FQ

Originally Posted by DoctorGrim

Like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDE3Sms9FQ

Your wiper motor will have a place where the crank connects to the motor. Remove the crank and replace it with a 3 or 4 inch bolt and bent the bolt out at the end not connect to the motor. Next place the waist of your prop (the pvc frame) over the bolt and when it turns you'll get this movement.

I'm using a shiatua but the wiper motor will also work....vent motor will work better.

Originally Posted by madmax

A wiper motor doesn't make a linear motion without linkage added to it.

If you want the motion to be a zombie like circle then you add a small crank to the motor and connect your prop to the crank. But honestly the vent motor would be a better choice because you would get a slower rotation and more lifelike.

The motor will need a linkage otherwise it will spin like a top, which is not what I'm looking for.

I don't have a vent motor, but the motor action of the WWM is the same right?