ANIMATRONICS.....

INTRODUCTION

Animatronics is “the technology employing electronics to animate motorized puppets”. The animatronics system is based on the “system reality”. The animatronics figures are mainly created for entertainment. At the heart of any animatronics figure we will find the power system. Simply put, the power system, this is responsible for making figure to move.

The movement can be done by various types of motors and actuators. The movements of various parts in animatronics figure is controlled by electronic control system. This electronic control system is treated as brain to control the movements of animatronics figures. The commonly used methods are Hydraulic systems and Pneumatic systems.

WHAT IS ANIMATRONICS?

Animatronics is “the technology employing electronics to animate motorized puppets”. Animatronics are a  specific  types  of  robot. These  robots are different from common robots used in search and rescue operations, space, and in deep water. Because animatronics figure are not designed for the purpose of intelligent. Instead, they have been created for entertain.

WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR

n      An animatronics figure is used in movies to create grand special effects.

n      Examples of these figures include the giant dinosaurs of Jurassic Park, the title character from ET, and the personable robots from Star Wars.

n      The advantage animatronics has over digital effects in some movies is more realistic close-up shots. Another use of animatronics in the entertainment industry is in theme parks.

HOW ARE ANIMATRONICS CREATED?

The animatronics figures can be created by following methods.

1.Creating paper designs.

2.Preparing model.

3.Build a full-size sculpture.

4.Molding and casting.

5.Creature creation.

6.Putting it together.

Creating paper designs

n      The first step to creating Animatronics is to sketch the initial idea and create a paper design.

n      Depending on the specifics of the project, different experts are brought in. During the creation of Jurassic Park’s Spinosaurus, paleontologists advised on the accuracy of the initial design.

Preparing Model:

n      After the paper design has been finalized, the next step is to create a maquette, or miniature model of the final design.

n      This model is often made out of clay. It is especially important to create a maquette when building very big animatronics because it tests the feasibility of the paper design without wasting the time and resources that would be needed to build a full-scale model.

Build a Full-size Sculpture:

• The completed maquette is used to build a full-sized sculpture of the final creature. 
• While this used to be done by hand, computer-aided manufacturing has automated the process.

Molding and Casting:

• Next, the full-sized sculpture is used to create a mold so that the body can be cast out of foam rubber to create the skin.

Creature Creation:

• The next step in creating an animatronics figure involves the largest number of engineers. It  is building the various animatronics component which allow the  animatronics figure to evolve from “puppet" or “sculpture” to “animatronics”

Putting it together:

n      Finally, the skeleton, the mechanics, and the electronics are fitted together with the skin to complete the animatronics figure

AN ANIMATRONICS SYSTEM INCLUDING LIFELIKE  ROBOTIC FISH

   It is well known that marine creatures, such as fish, that swim using small power as well as at high speeds (dolphin: 60 km/h, swordfish: 80 km/h) are superior in their position-keeping characteristics. The purpose of these research is a flexible oscillating fin control system which could be used for the propulsion of marine vehicles. This method obtains a propulsion force by oscillating fins equipped to vehicles on the analogy of the motion marine creatures. After the control system for a flexible oscillating fin propulsion device and the oscillating fin driving device were designed and manufactured, a cruising test was performed using a model ship.

EXPERIMENTAL TEST OF OSCILLATING FIN

            The flexible oscillating fin propulsion device was produced experimentally, and only the flexible oscillating fin propulsion device was independently tested before loading it onto a model ship to examine the influence of the oscillating fin shape and the flexible part on propulsion.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR ANIMATRONICS?

n      It can be speculated that animatronics will not be a large player in the future of cinematic special effects and theme parks.

n      Because of the growing ease and versatility of computer graphics, animatronics are being used less and less to render life-like fantasy creatures in movies.

n      It is much less expensive to create a digital version of imaginary monsters, then to build them in a life-like size.

n      The other main use for animatronics, theme parks, has also seen a decline in the need for mechanized puppets.

CONCLUSION

   From the study of animatronics we can say that animatronics figures are often used in movies to create grand special effects. Animatronics has over digital effects in some movies is more realistic close-up shot. Animatronics figures are not designed to be intelligent; instead they have been created mainly to entertain. Animatronics imitates the movements of intelligent characters with pre programmed motions, words and songs. Animatronics figures move by various types of motors and actuators. It can be speculated that animatronics will not be a large player in future of cinematic and fantasy world.