Wind in the Willows

Wind in the Willows

Mechanisms to make the masks move

12/05/15

To develop my mask further I will be looking at mechanisms to make small parts, suchas the mouth, eyes, nose and ears move. To do this I will be looking at numerous mechanisms, such as string pully, hydraulic, spring, ball and socket hinges and ventriloquism. 

Ventriloquist dummies include mechanisms such as spring loaded and string pulley. The spring loaded mechanism is usually used to open and close the mouth. If a string pulley was used in this way there would not be enough power or weight to have the mouth both open and close. The spring is used to move the too jaw, and the string pulley is used to operate the bottom jaw, and this string runs through a stick that is connected to the control cord, this cord has a ring on the end so that it is easier to operate.

A basic grabber designs uses string pulley techniques and a leaver. The leaver is pulled together and the string inside of the mechanism isq tightened, causing the claws on the end to close. Releasing the leaver then causes the claws to open again.

I am most pulled towards the string pulley technique. I would hopefully use this to make the ears move and turn. However, I was also looking at using a ball and socket hinge on the ears to make them turn. 

mechanisms