For my science project this year I plan on building and testing a pneumatic AA figure. I will post my progress and hopeful ambitions on this thread...
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Science Fair: Building An Audio-Animatronic
- Thread starter jdmdisney99
- Start date
The preliminary and extremely ambitious plan for this project is to build 2 figures; one humanoid and one bear. The human will be left "bare-boned". It's name will be Annie Matronic. The bear will be created using the skin of a Build-A-Bear. It's name will be Arty O. (with a Boston accent). These two will host my presentation and "perform" it for me. Arty will hold a clicker to "change" a pre-timed PowerPoint and will explain Audio-Animatronic systems while Annie will provide some comic relief and point out the things being described.
Turtle
Well-Known Member
Ted!The preliminary and extremely ambitious plan for this project is to build 2 figures; one humanoid and one bear. The human will be left "bare-boned". It's name will be Annie Matronic. The bear will be created using the skin of a Build-A-Bear. It's name will be Arty O. (with a Boston accent). These two will host my presentation and "perform" it for me. Arty will hold a clicker to "change" a pre-timed PowerPoint and will explain Audio-Animatronic systems while Annie will provide some comic relief and point out the things being described.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
I've done extensive work with pneumatic animetronics, though it's been years. I think this is a neat idea for a project.
I worked for Chuck E Cheese and did rebuild, upgrades and PM on the characters there. The newer one stage "Studio C" chuck is easier to maintain than the older 3 stage Showbiz conversions...but...that aside.
Get yourself a Happ Controls catelog and a Grainger catelog. Those will have pretty much all the parts you'll require, outside of any molded plastic you may decide to use for "skin"...
Few things that pop in my head...
What is your plan for compressed air? Do you own an air compressor? What sort of tank are you going to use to transport to the exhibition (as I doubt they'll let you crank up a gas powered air compressor inside!)?
Pneumatic cylinders can get expensive. VERY expensive. For example, one cylender can run you from 30 - 150 dollars, depending... Grainger will carry most of what you need, but I certainly would look online once you get a model/part isolated for a better deal. You may do better using electric servos instead.
Anyhow, can't wait to see how this progresses!
I'm in the really early stages now so I don't have answers to some of your questions, but thanks a ton for the advice! It will definitely help!
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Sure, anytime. Reach out to me if you need any other advice.
As you get closer to building, I am still friends with many of the senior level techs at CEC, and I'm sure they would be happy to help you with your project as well.
Matt7187
Well-Known Member
Hope it works out, @jdmdisney99! Try posting a video of the completed project!
Sassagoula-Rvr
Well-Known Member
Awesome!! Best of luck!!
RedFurredCadet
Active Member
Bidding you all the best on the project and I'm sure if its not just for marks/credit, at least someone will be amazed and want to find out more! You can consider little did you know leaflets on famous and well known animatronics, as well as where else you can find them (were they used in movies?) cheers!
WED99
Well-Known Member
This makes me wish that we had science fairs in Australia 
It will be very impressive if you complete both and I would love to see. I know it's not really an AA but if you struggle with the pneumatics may I suggest using the lego robotics parts below for the bear, they are fully programmable and easy to set up.
http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx
It will be very impressive if you complete both and I would love to see. I know it's not really an AA but if you struggle with the pneumatics may I suggest using the lego robotics parts below for the bear, they are fully programmable and easy to set up.
http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-us/default.aspx
You move on to the next fair until nationals, then I have no idea!By the way, what is the prize if you, or should I say when you, win?
Nathan Johnson
New Member
This sounds like an awesome project! Did you start/complete it? If so, I would love to see a video or some pictures of it.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get it started/done this year.This sounds like an awesome project! Did you start/complete it? If so, I would love to see a video or some pictures of it.
RMichael21
Well-Known Member
Good luck @jdmdisney99 . I hope your "Arty O. and Annie Matronic" turn out just like you planned. Excited to see the finished product.