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\handout{1}{Dan Ports}{2004/03/03}{drkp@mit.edu}{Initial Project Proposal}
\tntitle{A Motorized Turntable}

For this project, I propose to look at turntable mechanisms. The
problem to be addressed is to build a platform capable of supporting a
major set piece that can be rotated via a motor. This is a
reasonably common problem, with a seemingly infinite set of
solutions.
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I don't actually know anything about turntables or other scenic
mechanisms, beyond the very obvious. This makes things just a bit
harder, but I try not to let that stop me (after all, it wouldn't
be any fun otherwise). Needless to say, however, it means that I'm
starting with a rather basic set of questions that I'll need to
answer. I intend to research these, first to get a more concrete idea
of the requirements, then to look at what the typical solutions
are. From there, I'll create an example design, noting some of the
important tradeoffs that need to be made.
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Some questions to be pondered extensively:

\begin{itemize}
\item What are a reasonable set of requirements? What sort of load
  will this mechanism need to support? How tall can it be?
\item How will the deck need to be constructed? What materials and
  supports will need to be used to ensure that it can support the
  needed weight without collapsing or otherwise failing?
\item What hardware will be needed? What kind of casters should be
  used? How should they be placed and attached? What kind of pivot
  should hold it in place?
\item How can this be motorized? What kind of motor needs to be used?
  How powerful does it need to be? How should it be attached? What
  electrical requirements does it have?
\item How will it be controlled? How can we automate it as much as
  possible? What kind of safety interlocks will be required? How
  precise can the positioning be made? This being somewhat closer to
  my area of expertise, I may do something a bit more creative here.
\item How much will it cost? This is a major scenic mechanism, so we
  expect it to be somewhat expensive. But of course we want to keep
  the budget as low as is reasonably possible.
\end{itemize}
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