Cliff Rogers Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I need a vase & then a statue to 'explode' on demand as if they were hit by a bullet. Obviously we can't use explosives in front of a live audience in an 80 year old wooden theatre. I am thinking of a solenoid actuator like something out of a pinball machine mounted inside a 'fragile' prop that will shatter/break at the press of a button. Anybody got any good ideas? I have the electronics know how, I just need to find the right solenoid actuator device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I did some playing with solenoids for a recent project of ours, and found some beefy 24V ones that we used for drop devices, using a solenoid and a snap shackle to release umbrellas to be dropped on cue. They were pretty strong - we ended up running them from a capacitor discharge power supply (like you would use in model railways) to fire them as we were firing them in groups of 4-8, but firing them singly you may be able to get away with a reasonable PSU. We used a Milford Instruments DMX relay box to fire them. How you'd manipulate that movement into breaking a vase I'm not sure, but it gave a pretty strong pull when used with the capacitor, so the design may be able to release something spring loaded etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 How you'd manipulate that movement into breaking a vase I'm not sure, but it gave a pretty strong pull when used with the capacitor, so the design may be able to release something spring loaded use a "push" solenoid instead of a "pull" one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Obviously we can't use explosives in front of a live audience in an 80 year old wooden theatre.Not necessarily true.IF you have, (or can get a hold of), an experienced pyrotechnician, there are certainly pyro effects that will simulate this effect for you. That said, I will stress that these are one area of pyro that will need even more careful planning than a simple flashpot or gerb, so an experienced tech will be needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewR Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I need a vase & then a statue to 'explode' on demand as if they were hit by a bullet. Obviously we can't use explosives in front of a live audience in an 80 year old wooden theatre. I am thinking of a solenoid actuator like something out of a pinball machine mounted inside a 'fragile' prop that will shatter/break at the press of a button. Anybody got any good ideas? I have the electronics know how, I just need to find the right solenoid actuator device. Break completely? Because one of the old tricks is a plastic tube filled with a very small amount of powder (running through the object) and concealed at the surface. On cue (you blow some air down the tube) it causes a hole to appear (as it blows off the covering) and little puff of dust. Looks like a very convincing bullet hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Basson Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 If your props are near a wall, you can mount the breaking device in that, which will make any repetition easier to achieve, perhaps. A production of "Deathtrap" here some years ago simulated a bullet hit on a wall-mounted china plate by having some sort of bow-like elastic contraption behind the set that fired a connected rod down a tube mounted on the back of a flat behind the plate. You pulled the elastic back, and let go on cue; the bolt shot down the tube, struck the plate with enough force to break it and was pulled back up the tube by the same elastic that propelled it, leaving no visible clue as to how the effect was done. Nowadays, of course, electrickery replaces elastic, and as themadhippy says, a chunky-enough "push" solenoid will do the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 If the sound of the shot is sufficient then you could fake the "break" by a substitution. Real vase falls into foam lined box bits of broken vase available for the use of the talent in acting the broken vase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Springs can be used with solenoids to good effect. You get a much faster action and a more natural explosion look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Rogers Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 Some good ideas here. The theatre is old & wooden & riddled with smoke detectors, if we set off anything pyrotechnic, the smoke alarms would smell it.We are also an amateur theatre so we want/need to be DIY. I have had a little bit to do with pneumatic control & that is a possibility but the air line, actuators & controllers may be a bit expensive. I reckon if I go to supercheap auto & buy an aftermarket central locking system & have a bit of a play I'll work something out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Rogers Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share Posted May 11, 2011 I just found this thread. http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=12348&st=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdsmith Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Rat traps are very effective for this kind of thing and a lot cheaper than a solenoid solution. They can be mounted on/into almost any set piece and the spring held in place with a simple pin on a string between two eye screws. Pull the pin and voila, instant breakage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Rogers Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share Posted May 11, 2011 Thanks, I have rat traps on my 'possible' list too. I've picked up a set of 4 central door lock activators for $50AUD, I'll have a play with them. I have ordered an 8 channel DMX relay board worth $120AUD so I can control it all from my lighting desk. I like the idea of including a bit of talc for a more visible 'explosion'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley R Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Just wondering where did you pick up the 8ch DMX relay board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 http://www.milinst.co.uk/ is one supplier in the UK, Whether they will ship to Australia, and whether their product is allowed into your country with or without taxes only you can determine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Northlight Systems do DMX relays and ship worldwide, info here, I have the four channel version and its a fine tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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