Thread: Motion for a Blucky

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I have a concept for a "Blucky" I want to build. A Butler Zombie to greet people. I need advice on the best way to accomplish it. This is what I'm picturing:

The Butler is standing, wearing a derby style hat. I would like for him to move his arm like he is going to tip the hat. When he does the head will go along with the hat. So, the motion is the arm moving the head and hat away and back onto the body.

I know the motor will have to be by the elbow. I have only worked with the deer motor before. What would be the best and easiest way to accomplish this, servos? Also I don't want too fast of a motion. Thanks

I think the easiest way to do this would be to do it backwards.
Instead of having the motor in the elbow I would mount the motor inside the rib cage (straight under the head). Spring load the arm somehow in the "head already lifted" position, then the motor would pull the head back down onto the neck, and repeat over and over. This way the motor would be hidden from view also.
I myself would try to do it this way if I were building the prop.
I would use a deer motor or one of my favorite little black gear motors.

DaveintheGrave, that's definitely the way to do it. Hiding the motor in the rib cage is a great way to do it. Spring-loading the arm is a brilliant idea. I was thinking a rod that raised and lowered the head would also work. Either way, the idea of moving the head rather than the arm is the right move.

What about a wiper motorin the ribcage , shoulder on a pivot with the motor moving the shoulder and the elbow is stationary?

I like this idea! The motion you describe sounds like fun! I made a butler door greater too. (see my photo album to meet "Grimsbee")

One day I want to try my hand at an animated prop.....so far I'm stuck on static.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the planning stages now. So the more I learn and the more options I have the better.

Daveinthegrave's idea of doing it in reverse is good. I'm having a hard time picturing it though. (The spring part I'm taking about).

I could use a weight on the elbow that would make it collapse under it own weight into the away position and then the machine would pull it back into place.

I really like bfjou812's idea of moving the shoulder instead of the elbow. makes sense, less work. Wiper motor does the motion I need. Good stuff!

Thanks and please keep it coming!