I’m looking for a way to make a set of actuated wings for a costume. I’d like them to unfurl and return to the “rest” position. I was thinking of making an air tube along the spine of the wing that, when inflated, would unfurl the wing. To return the wings to a resting position, the air pump would turn off and the wings would return back.
Is there such a pump somewhere?
I honestly don’t think a pump will be small and quiet enough for this and meet power requirements. Especially when you consider the amount of pressure to overcome the tension on your spring to collapse the wing structure.
I think you would be better off using some balsa wood in the wings leading edges with some pivoting joints. You can use a cable to move the joint and attach the cable from each side into a single actuator or even extend I to the arm.
Thanks for your opinion. I was thinking tha a more mechanical device would be better. My one concern is how to return to a resting position. Can the cable be trained? Or do I use a positioner with a Servo to get it back where I need it?
I thought about trying what is described in here:
Maybe a bottle of compressed air and a couple of solenoid valves would do the job quietly.
I wonder if you could use “memory wire” (aka Nitinol). Form the open wings around a wire structure when “hot” and then cool them and roll them up. Pass a current through the wire to open them. I’ve never used the stuff so I don’t know what kind of current level might be needed. Might be worth a Googling just to see if it’s applicable.
Thank you for the input. I’ll definitely look it up. My main problem designing with a wire is how to get the structure out. I’ll check into the wire.
Mee_n_Mac:
I wonder if you could use “memory wire” (aka Nitinol). Form the open wings around a wire structure when “hot” and then cool them and roll them up. Pass a current through the wire to open them. I’ve never used the stuff so I don’t know what kind of current level might be needed. Might be worth a Googling just to see if it’s applicable.
Ok after researching this, it may be a possibility. I found this video that gives me hope.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the … aker-faire
Now…how to program it if I can get it to support the wing weight.
FYI …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRRy7hItgI
W/o knowing more about the wings I don’t know what else I can say. You could also use some spring-like devices to open the wings and a motor with a spool and string (or wire) that, when activated one way, winds the string onto the spool and closes the wings. Reverse the motor and the “springs” open the wings.
The first set if wings uses motors or servos, I can’t be sure. The 2’nd vid uses servos. Is this along the lines of the wings you’re thinking about ?
Thanks for helping - really do appreciate it.
I lilke the idea of springs and a pully/motor. Too bad the guy in the second video you posted above won’t share.
I really like these wings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCyx8GI7t8
I won’t use m,etal - I want to use foam core or fabric - something light. And I want a steampunk type affect, sort of like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkLAg0yVH3A
I need to find a tutorial on how to build the mechanical side of things - I’m no mechanical genius!