Thread: Stand Alone 3 Axis Skull Controller

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My biggest goal for this year is to get all of my 3 axis skulls up and running and to put together a controller system that allowed them to be stand alone props. I didn't want to be connected to a computer and didn't want to have to program them in VSA. Since none of my skulls movements need to be synced to music, a random movement works fine.
I took hpropman's random movement code and adapted it to work for a 3 axis skull. Using the new Picaxe 18M2, I was able to get it to control not only the head movements but also the audio board which is triggered by a PIR.
Now when attaching it to a new skull, I just need to adjust the servo limits to match the skulls setup. Of course, I can always quickly and easily adjust the program to speed up the movements or change the times between movements.
The total cost of the components for all 3 boards including the Tenda stereo board and SD card and the PIR was less than $60. I just used power supplies that I picked up at garage sales so those would need to be factored in to the cost as well.
It's nice to have one major project for 2012 already completed!

As posted in the YouTube comments ... This is a fantastic achievement. This would solve half the problems with my home haunt I had this year!

Great work.

Okay you've got my interest. I've been investigating 3 axis skulls and now you've gone and done it. I can't watch the video yet since Youtube is blocked at the office but when I get home I'll be checking it out.

So where do you get you 3 axis skulls or do you build your own?

I need to stop, I thought my Halloween spending was over for this year, I still have Picaxe experiments I need to start AHHHHH!

It looks like your mastering the picaxe. Keep us posted. Still packing away Halloween items that are in hiding. Once that is done hopefully I can start beginning on new 2012 builds. I may be in contact later for you to give me some help on the picae stuff. I like cheap and easy and I have plenty of servos laying around.

Thanks for posting this Halstaff This solves several problems that I'd been mulling over, while working on getting more into complex animatronic heads.

You are simply amazing! Can you show us how to build the 3 axis skull next?

Originally Posted by Hobie14T

You are simply amazing! Can you show us how to build the 3 axis skull next?

If you're interested in the 3 axis design I used for this build, I used the one from HalloweenToGo at http://www.halloween2go.com/volume1p5data.htm The link shows some of the build but if you're interested in making one, I would recommend getting the DVD.

Thanks for sharing Halstaff , Great work. How did you get started learning to program the picax? Did you have a book or was it from on line forums? I also want to learn so I can un-tether my props from the computer. Thanks again.

I emailed Dave at Halloween2go@comcast.net and asked him if he had any Black Friday specials on the DVD's. The special until Christmas is the three digital download versions for $35 instead of $45. You have to email him at the address listed above and request the special price.

Originally Posted by soundmankkc

Thanks for sharing Halstaff , Great work. How did you get started learning to program the picax? Did you have a book or was it from on line forums? I also want to learn so I can un-tether my props from the computer. Thanks again.

I've learned everything I know about electronics and programming from the very helpful people on the forums and reading online. 2 years ago, when I started this, I could barely solder 2 wires together (no joke).
The Picaxe is a great platform with lots of online support including its own forum at http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/forum.php
You can get a starter kit that includes the download cable for $30 from RobotShop at http://www.robotshop.com/picaxe-08m-...-pack-usb.html
Check out hpropman's first release of his online Picaxe book which will answer a lot of questions at http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=21008