Animatronics

Tools & Resources

Key Parts

• Servo Motor - A small motor that precisely controls angular movement, often used to move parts of an animatronic like arms or heads.

• Microcontroller - A compact computer used to control other parts of a system, like motors or lights. Examples include Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

• Battery Pack - Supplies power to your animatronics’ electronics and motors. Needs to provide the right voltage and current.

• Wires and Connectors - Connect all electronic parts, carrying power and signals between the microcontroller, motors, and sensors.

• Switch - Lets you turn your animatronic on or off, or control specific functions manually.

• Potentiometer - A type of variable resistor that can be used to control motor speed or adjust sensor sensitivity.

• Structural Frame (Chassis) - The skeleton or base that holds everything together. Usually made from wood, plastic, metal, or 3D-printed parts.

Useful Applications:

• Arduino IDE - A free software to write, compile, and upload code to Arduino microcontrollers. Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and even as a web editor.

• Tinkercad - An easy-to-use online 3D modeling and electronics simulator. Great for designing parts and testing Arduino circuits virtually.

• Fusion 360 - Advanced CAD software for 3D modeling mechanical parts. Free for students and educators.

• Fritzing - A tool to create breadboard and circuit diagrams, helpful for planning electronic wiring visually.

• YouTube - Tons of tutorials for Arduino programming, animatronics builds, servo control, and more. Channels like “Jeremy Blum” and “Paul McWhorter” are popular.

• Blynk - A mobile app that lets you build custom interfaces to control Arduino or Raspberry Pi projects remotely from your phone.

• Instructables - A website full of step-by-step DIY guides, including many animatronics projects and beginner-friendly electronics tutorials.

Helpful Terminology

• Servo Motor - A small motor that precisely controls angular movement, often used to move parts of an animatronic like arms or heads.

• Microcontroller - A compact computer used to control other parts of a system, like motors or lights. Examples include Arduino and Raspberry Pi.

• Actuator - A device that causes motion (like motors, servos, or pneumatic cylinders) in response to electrical signals.

• Arduino - An easy-to-use microcontroller platform that can be programmed to control components like LEDs, servos, and sensors.

• Breadboard - A tool for prototyping electronic circuits without soldering, often used for testing connections with components like resistors or sensors.

• PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) - A method used to control the position or speed of servos and motors by adjusting the width of electrical pulses.

• Sketch (Arduino) - A term for the code written in the Arduino IDE that tells the microcontroller what to do.

• Chassis - The structural frame or body of your animatronic that supports all other components.

• Linkage - A system of connected parts used to transfer motion, such as levers, joints, or mechanical arms.

• Power Supply - A source of electrical energy that powers your animatronic. Can be batteries, wall adapters, or USB.

• Sensor - A device that detects physical input like movement, light, or distance and sends data to the microcontroller.

• Torque - A measure of rotational force. Important when selecting motors strong enough to move animatronic parts.

• CAD (Computer-Aided Design) - Software used to digitally design mechanical parts. Programs like Fusion 360 or Tinkercad can help visualize and plan your build.

• Prototype - A preliminary model used for testing and improving before making the final version.

• Portfolio - A document that explains your project in detail, including design process, materials used, code, diagrams, and evaluation.