The Magic Cafe Forums - Levitation Help. Transforming a Super X

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The Magic Cafe Forum Index :: The workshop :: Levitation Help. Transforming a Super X (0 Likes)

Good to here.

magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts	Posted: Apr 22, 2013 11:12 pm 0 Hi All I'm looking to transform a Super X into a nice levitation. However without knowing the name of the 'bit' I require I'm struggling. I want to replace the upright pole with an electronic arm that expands and contracts to make the subject raise and lower. What is it I need?! Many thanks Mark Mark Daniel
Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3434 Posts	Posted: Apr 23, 2013 12:46 am 0 Linear actuator? Maybe??? Of course you will have to take into consideration the torque. An electric bottle jack was the first thing that popped into my mind...that will also have issues that need to be addressed. Stanyon aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!"
glowball Special user Nashville TN 888 Posts	Posted: Apr 23, 2013 01:07 am 0 I had thought of doing the same thing and using an actuator arm from an old satellite dish. They should be very cheap. At one point in time about 10 years ago people were giving used ones away. I believe they are DC powered so you could use a 12V? battery. The biggest issue will be safety and strength. Welding the bottom part to the base and welding the end of the actuator to the top part might work (if the welding heat doesn't destroy something), but if it ever goes bad you would have to de-weld it and find another actuator arm and weld it in. They are very robust so for this use they might last a life time. For safety sake you could use something other than a human to levitate. Perhaps a giant "sauage", perhaps a robot, perhaps a giant magic wand, perhaps phoney bar bells, etc. Good luck.
magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts	Posted: Apr 23, 2013 03:35 pm 0 Thanks both of you. Steve That's the name I'd heard in the past, I couldn't recall it! Well after a good search I only seem to be fetching up aluminium ones. Hmmm... Thanks Mark Mark Daniel
glowball Special user Nashville TN 888 Posts	Posted: Apr 23, 2013 11:44 pm 0 Also try to find a motor that is as quiet as possible. Another possibility would be to construct a simple hydraulic lift using an unseen assistant. Use a hidden hydraulic hose to connect two cyclinders (one small but tall the other wide but short). Basic physics says the a small diameter cylinder with less force and greater distance can lift a larger cylinder a shorter distance. No motor necessary so potential to be extremely quiet. Note that "small" and "wide" are relative terms (perhaps a one inch diameter cyclinder lifting a 3 inch diameter cylinder). The "wide" cylinder would be vertical and attached to the main support. Perhaps a quiet pump instead of an unseen assistant.
Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts	Posted: Apr 24, 2013 05:53 am 0 Quote: On 2013-04-22 21:07, glowball wrote: I had thought of doing the same thing and using an actuator arm from an old satellite dish. They should be very cheap. At one point in time about 10 years ago people were giving used ones away. I believe they are DC powered so you could use a 12V? battery. The biggest issue will be safety and strength. Welding the bottom part to the base and welding the end of the actuator to the top part might work (if the welding heat doesn't destroy something), but if it ever goes bad you would have to de-weld it and find another actuator arm and weld it in. They are very robust so for this use they might last a life time. For safety sake you could use something other than a human to levitate. Perhaps a giant "sauage", perhaps a robot, perhaps a giant magic wand, perhaps phoney bar bells, etc. Good luck. I've built several using the actuators. They work great. Real quiet. They are just a little slow on the rise but look very natural if that makes sence.
Anverdi-museum Inner circle 1201 Posts	Posted: Apr 24, 2013 10:39 am 0 You will need the type of actuator from the small access type vans that lift folks in wheelchairs up/down. These run off 12 volts are noiseless and very strong, I believe the weight limit is over 800 pounds. New these are around $450.00, you can find them used occasionally around $200. Chuck Caputo
glowball Special user Nashville TN 888 Posts	Posted: Apr 24, 2013 05:27 pm 0 To Eldon: Did you weld the satellite acturator both top and bottom? What is the maximum weight you levitated with it? Thanks.