Anyone whose Mechanically Minded, please chime in

[AmericanDemon]

I'm working on my Optimus Prime Experiment, and with the setup I am needing to create a mechanical lift of some sort.  I know the basics of how a mechanical lift would function.  However, I am not sure the exact parts needed to build one. 

I am wanting to lift my monitor from the floor to a standing height of 48".  Personally I feel a scissor style lift would work best.  The monitor weighs near 300 pounds.  Anyone who could help out with a design for the lift itself would be appreciate.  The base for the monitor is roughly 24" x 36".  Yeah, its big.  lol.

Any ideas?

[ChadTower]

Use a pulley from the ceiling, not a mechanism to push it from the floor.

What kind of monitor weighs 300lb?

[DrewKaree]

If this thing has to rise up from the floor, and you CAN'T or DON'T want to do a pulley or small block & tackle system, hydraulics is the way to go. 

[ChadTower]

Of course, one or two big guys should be able to handle it without spilling their beer.

[AceTKK]

for what purpose?  Is this going to be a part of the cab's design (the monitor rises up every time the machine is going to be used) or do you just need something to lift the monitor so you can install it?  If it's the latter, a transmission jack might do the trick.

-Ace-

[AmericanDemon]

Alright gents.  Here's the scenario.  The monitor is for my arcade cabinet and its actually 266 lbs however the frame and the exterior surfaces will add weight.  I am building my project into a home theater room.  I really dont want to do a pulley system because it will interfere with the projector..... 

I guess I should go into detail.  The Optimus Prime Experiment involves casing a scaled bust model of Optimus around my 35" Multisync Monitor.  Each player will have their own pedestal with controls attached.  90% of the time I will be using a projector for the setup. however, I am going to wire this up so that I can switch between my monitor and the projector.  The sound will also be wired up to headphone jacks to each pedestal. 

The reason for the elevation of the monitor....  Basically, when someone wants to watch a movie, or play a console game and others want to play some arcade games, then hit a switch, the projector is then used for other media, while the lift will then raise the Optimus Prime bust up into viewing level, his chest will open and amazingly.... there is this huge display for gaming there.   

Hydraulics would work, I am not opposed to this.  Can anyone suggest specific pieces for this?  Certain pumps and the like.  My theory has the switch located on the player 1 pedestal so that it can be raised and lowered from there.

[xonix_digital]

...    I don't know what to say...

I gotta lie down. 

-=XD=-

[Samstag]

You REALLY don't want hydraulics in your living room.

[AmericanDemon]

I appreciate all of the comments.  I was hoping for a little more proactive.... but alas.  This is just my loft to my garage.  Not my "living room"  I may just sketch it out and show the potential layout, maybe then I will get a few more bites.  Thanks anyway guys!

[Bones]

You could ring somebody like SKF and try something called a linear actuator. These are electrically driven and used a lot in robotics and process automation.

They are not cheap but I am going to assume with such grand plans you have a healthy budget. Many actuators operate at high speed and because of the exact tolerances they can become quite expensive.

Some (if not most) can be electronically controlled with the right hardware/software so in principal you could operate them via your computer or a defined keystroke.

SKF here in Australia is one of the more expensive brands but I would assume there are more reasonable priced Japanese brands in your market place.

[Bones]

Curiosity got the better of me. Here is a Yankee version.

I haven't seen this type before as the ones I have been involved in are at the higher end of the market but the principal looks the same.

[daywane]

Why not use a 220 volt ac motor and gears. ( cover up the gears. would cut a finger off)

I lift engine blocks with 220 ac motor
much more waight then your monitor. use small gears for slow movement

[Goz]

Any chance when Optimus does this movement you'll have the sound bite playing from the original series "Autobots Transform!" with the transformer sound effect?

You are one creative mofo.

-Goz

[ChadTower]

The point of not having amateur designed hydraulics is a safety one.  If you miscalculate, or make an improper seal, and it breaks... you're talking spewing of possibly hot and definitely high pressure liquids at people, if not the high speed propulsion of metal shrapnel.  Hydraulics aren't really an DIY proposition unless you're an expert.

[AmericanDemon]

The point of not having amateur designed hydraulics is a safety one.  If you miscalculate, or make an improper seal, and it breaks... you're talking spewing of possibly hot and definitely high pressure liquids at people, if not the high speed propulsion of metal shrapnel.  Hydraulics aren't really an DIY proposition unless you're an expert.

Gotcha.  I appreciate your safety concerns.   

Any chance when Optimus does this movement you'll have the sound bite playing from the original series "Autobots Transform!" with the transformer sound effect?

Honestly I have been considering doing this.... but in all truth and reality, since Optimus is gonna be kinda hacked to pieces throughout the room I feel "I still function" would be more fitting. 

Although the transforming sound would have to be used.

Why not use a 220 volt ac motor and gears. ( cover up the gears. would cut a finger off)........I lift engine blocks with 220 ac motor much more weight then your monitor. use small gears for slow movement

Thats an idea.  I'll PM you momentarily.

[daywane]

I have thought more on this .. I still think a garage door opener should work.
not as strong as a 220 motor but with the right gears I think It would lift up your monitor.

building the gear box ... whew... that would be the tricky part

[ChadTower]

A garage door opener would have a really difficult time lifting a dense, focused load on a short track.  It's not designed that way.

I can't think of a good electric motor that is already mostly suited for this... I'll keep thinking on it, if I come up with anything I'll let you know.

[AmericanDemon]

I appreciate all the help.  It doesnt have to be 100% contained on the floor.  The garage below has unfinished ceiling.  So I could feasibly house a lot of it under the floor and descending into the garage a bit.  I am also building a 4" raised floor to make it easier to fish cables.  I just dont want too many wires hanging in the garage.   

I'm trying other avenues as well.  I have a few friends who owe me favors, one of which is a welder. 

[daywane]

something like this should raise the head up.
i still think a industrial ac motor will lift it. with a 220 ac motor with a shaft, gears bolted or welded. ( no weld with shaft hooked to motor, could make it go backwards. ) ( I did this to a fan once. ran in reverse for ever more  )
chain going up to next gear. A 1/2 moon or 3/4 moon gear matched to the chain driven gear and you have movement. up and down

I do not think 400 lbs is very much. If I had the parts laying around I would have to try this out just to see why it would not work.

[ChadTower]

Of course, with something of this nature, you can not move it once it's there.