Animatronic Head On-Line Class!

David DeMattia

I just signed up for the full class. CAN'T WAIT!

Chris Ellerby

I'm really looking forward to this one too!

/Chris

David DeMattia

Hey all, I'm looking at finding some less expensive substitutions for the servos specified in the project. Have found some but am looking to see if specifications match. Will post later today.

David DeMattia

Here are the lower cost servos I found with specs and price at Tower Hobbies from a company called RC Gearshop. I wouldn't use them for a Mission Critical project, but they look fine for the class. Any thoughts?

http://www.rcgearshop.com/

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0097p?FVSEARCH=Servos&CATEGORY=&FVPCODE=7&FVPROFIL=+&MANUFACTURER=RGZ&SEARCH=GO

Chris Ellerby

Those could be fun to play with!

For my personal projects I stick to servos with metal gears, and have recently started working primarily with digital servos which have a lot of great features like being able to  define limits, moment direction, etc. on each servo.  But they do cost a bit more! 

I'm sure you could find plenty of good uses for inexpensive servos like those though!   Especially if you needed a large number of servos to move relatively low weight features.

/Chris

David DeMattia

Yes, for professional critical projects, I would use more robust servos. But for the class, I think these are a more economical solution.

David Boccabella

I'm signed up as a watcher but I will be adding my comments
However 5am start in Australia *Sighs*

David Boccabella

Hobbyking has their own range of servo's that I have found quite good. And the price is very good too. Since I use a microcontroller to handle my servo's I can program in the limiters. 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__363__189__Servos_Parts-HobbyKing_Servo.html

David DeMattia

David, The servos you found look a lot like the Win-King servos I purchased for the class. I really like the prices. Chris, I almost always use animatronics software for my projects and set the limits there. See you all this afternoon (or morning!).

David Boccabella

David.. What software do you use?

David DeMattia

I use VSA by Brookshire Software. Have been using it for about 10 years. I really like it. For the servo driver board I used to use a board by Scott Edwards. I switched to boards by pololu.com. If you have questions, let me know. 

+

Chris Ellerby

VSA is a very popular application.  A lot of folks in the Halloween and Haunted Attraction community use it for controlling their props.

/Chris

David DeMattia

I just wish it could program two axis's at once instead of just one. Here is one of my projects I did in VSA. 

http://sleepingdragonstudios.com/bugs-for-lunch-osceola-public-library/

Steve Koci

I run several 3 axis skulls in my haunt that incorporate random movements.  They use a custom board to provide the random tilt, rotate and nod motions as well as the audio to jaw sync circuit.  It works great as long as you don't need specific, programmed movements.  You can see it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaqGgtsbFkU
Steve Bjork, who helped with the programming of my Frankenstein board, is in the process of releasing his upgraded version, the Banshee.  You can find info at his website if you would like more info - http://http//www.haunthackers.com/banshee/index.shtml

David DeMattia

Cool Steve. I like how the board talks you through the programming.

Cyril Wichers

Very nice controllers (but a bit more pricy) are the ones made by Gilderfluke. They have their own software, that you can use for free to program up to 15 or 16 servos with.
I built my own controller using two 4-function joysticks to do the programming.
I used one of them on this guy (animatronic not built by me, I just rebuilt the controls) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS4MOY57V4E

David DeMattia

COOL!