Re: need HELP with a high school prom project PLEASE!!!!!

[shb*NO*SPAM*@comporium.net (Si Ballenger)]

On Mon, 16 May 2005 14:32:57 -0400, "rudyeb"
<rudyeb@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>I am making a prop for my sons high school after prom which starts right
>after the prom ends and goes to 4:00 AM. This gives the kids an alternative
>to getting drunk or in trouble other wise. It's a great program. This year I
>have been asked to make the small scale replica of the ball that drops at
>Times Square on New Years Eve. I have made the ball and intend to have it go
>up and down on a threaded shaft via a linear motor. I need a way to make it
>stop at the bottom, wait 2 -3 minutes and then reverse the DC current so the
>motor reverses and send the ball back up to the top. When it gets to the top
>I need it to wait 2-3 minutes, reverse the polarity to the motor so it goes
>down again. I will need this continuous motion of up and down to last the 4
>hours of the party. I had found a motor that I thought would work on Ebay
>but my PC crashed and I never got to bid on it. I'll hopefully be able to
>find another one somewhere. Once I procure the stepper motor and lead screw
>I will still need help with the up, down and time delay part of this deal.
>Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. They have also asked me
>to make a device that they can attach a mock up Planters peanuts can to that
>will make the mock-up turn, and tilt so the can will empty out peanuts and
>then go back to the upright position. This is to replicate the one that is
>now in Times Square. If anyone can help me with that project I would also be
>most  appreciative.. Sources for necessary parts would be a Godsend.
>Thank you,
>Rudy

Lot of this type of stuff on robotics sites. I've got a page
below showing some simple motor reversing circuits. You can get a
Black and Decker 6v cordless drill at walmart for ~$8 and use it
for the lead screw drive. Are you looking for purely mechanical,
or do you want computer control?

http://www.geocities.com/zoomkat/switch.htm