2. Holidays

Halloween Time Machine 2006

This year a group of us decided to make a Time Machine as a Halloween entertainment. We planned on a darkened, UV-lit, machine-theme entryway leading to the Time Machine itself. It would be a 4 foot by 4 foot room the victims/visitors would have to step up into. The room would be decorated internally with interesting electronic-theme stuff. At the time it is being entered the Time Machine would be held in an elevated position by a set of electromagnets. The room system would be installed on a wheeled base so that it could be spun around quickly. The pictures here show the construction of the Time Machine.

There was, of course, more to the entertainment than just the Time Machine. A legend was created to explain why visitors seeking candy would have to go back in time to retrieve their treats, with just 30 seconds to find and get them. When the Time Machine was occupied, the room would drop about 2 inches and then be spun around to face a darkened, UV-lit, jungle-theme space populated with UV-makeup people. There were several areas, or "scare points" where the search for the candy could be interrupted. There was a flame thrower in the open area above this space that would jet a couple of seconds of flames for effect. When the candy was collected, the visitors re-entered the Time Machine, it was spun back around, and they were permitted to exit. While they were exitingl, the room was re-suspended by the magnets.
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  • To make the room spin, we decided to place rigid-mount casters at the four corners so they would travel around on a circle path when the room was rotated. Large casters with good side stiffness were chosen.

    To make the room spin, we decided to place rigid-mount casters at the four corners so they would travel around on a circle path when the room was rotated. Large casters with good side stiffness were chosen.

  • The wheels were installed on a sturdy frame. We knew we would need some space under the floor of the room for supports and movement, so we chose some thick wood. Also, we expected to support about 1000 pounds.

    The wheels were installed on a sturdy frame. We knew we would need some space under the floor of the room for supports and movement, so we chose some thick wood. Also, we expected to support about 1000 pounds.

  • Here you can see the arrangement of the wheels on the rotating frame, so they would follow a circle on the ground. This virtual pivot arrangement simplified the mechanical arrangements.

    Here you can see the arrangement of the wheels on the rotating frame, so they would follow a circle on the ground. This virtual pivot arrangement simplified the mechanical arrangements.

  • This is the frame, as used. The magnets will go on the 2x4s.

    This is the frame, as used. The magnets will go on the 2x4s.

  • There are two parts to the magnet system. The elctromagnets and the steel plates held by them. We had 1 inch steel cut into pieces slightly larger than the magnets. They were drilled and tapped so we could transfer the load of the Time Machine room to the magnets. We mounted the steel plates on oak 2x4s, which became the drop frame.

    There are two parts to the magnet system. The elctromagnets and the steel plates held by them. We had 1 inch steel cut into pieces slightly larger than the magnets. They were drilled and tapped so we could transfer the load of the Time Machine room to the magnets. We mounted the steel plates on oak 2x4s, which became the drop frame.

  • These are the electromagnets. We used 4 of them to distribute the load. With 12V at 8 amps, they should have each held about 380 pounds. That turned out not to be the case. We decided to up the power to 28V to double the holding power. That got us to a payload of at least 1000 pounds. We limited the occupants to 4 large adults or more smaller kids.

    These are the electromagnets. We used 4 of them to distribute the load. With 12V at 8 amps, they should have each held about 380 pounds. That turned out not to be the case. We decided to up the power to 28V to double the holding power. That got us to a payload of at least 1000 pounds. We limited the occupants to 4 large adults or more smaller kids.

  • One of the challenges was to precisely position the steel plates on the magnets each time the Time Machine room was lifted in position. We installed guides on the rotating frame and the drop frame to lock the up-down motion into alignment.

    One of the challenges was to precisely position the steel plates on the magnets each time the Time Machine room was lifted in position. We installed guides on the rotating frame and the drop frame to lock the up-down motion into alignment.

  • Here is the start of the drop frame, with the steel plates positioned so they are matching the magnet locations.

    Here is the start of the drop frame, with the steel plates positioned so they are matching the magnet locations.

  • The magnets were suspended by steel bolts set loosely so the magnet could self align to the steel plate.

    The magnets were suspended by steel bolts set loosely so the magnet could self align to the steel plate.

  • The steel plates were mounted with steel bolts that were used with spacers to provide a loose fit for self alignment with the magnets. The wooden block was part of the alignment during lifting system.

    The steel plates were mounted with steel bolts that were used with spacers to provide a loose fit for self alignment with the magnets. The wooden block was part of the alignment during lifting system.

  • This is the drop frame with steel plates and alignment blocks before testing.

    This is the drop frame with steel plates and alignment blocks before testing.

  • This is the rotation frame with the magnets installed and wired.

    This is the rotation frame with the magnets installed and wired.

  • Another view of the rotation frame with the magnets installed and wired. We used modular junction blocks to hook up the magnets.

    Another view of the rotation frame with the magnets installed and wired. We used modular junction blocks to hook up the magnets.

  • Another view of the rotation frame. All the magnet wiring came out to the single black/red cable for connection to the power supply.

    Another view of the rotation frame. All the magnet wiring came out to the single black/red cable for connection to the power supply.

  • This is the drop frame in its final form. We added 2x4s to stiffen the frames. We found out the 2x4s with the steel plates added would bow under load, reducing the magnet holding power. In testing with the 3/4 inch plywood floor of the Time Machine room, called the stage, we found it flexed a lot under load, so we added the 2x4 across between the drop frame elements to support the stage better. Finally we originally tested the stage on the drop frame with a 1/2 inch drop. Everyone thought that was lame. So we added blocks supporting the stage to increase the drop to 1-1/2 inch, which was better. The final configuration provided a 2-inch drop onto the rotation frame, which was very satisfying to all. The blocks on top of the 4x4s gave the needed stage height to get a 2-inch drop.

    This is the drop frame in its final form. We added 2x4s to stiffen the frames. We found out the 2x4s with the steel plates added would bow under load, reducing the magnet holding power. In testing with the 3/4 inch plywood floor of the Time Machine room, called the stage, we found it flexed a lot under load, so we added the 2x4 across between the drop frame elements to support the stage better. Finally we originally tested the stage on the drop frame with a 1/2 inch drop. Everyone thought that was lame. So we added blocks supporting the stage to increase the drop to 1-1/2 inch, which was better. The final configuration provided a 2-inch drop onto the rotation frame, which was very satisfying to all. The blocks on top of the 4x4s gave the needed stage height to get a 2-inch drop.

  • This is another view of the drop frame. The stage gets screwed to the 2x4 blocks on top of the 4x4s to tie everything together.

    This is another view of the drop frame. The stage gets screwed to the 2x4 blocks on top of the 4x4s to tie everything together.

  • This is a detailed view of the junction block used to connect the magnets to the power supply cable.

    This is a detailed view of the junction block used to connect the magnets to the power supply cable.

  • This is the integrated drop frame and rotation frame assembly. The drop frame has been propped up to magnet height by the big block in the center. Note that the stage support blocks on the drop frame are about two inches above the rotation frame. This is the initial position of the Time Machine support assembly.

    This is the integrated drop frame and rotation frame assembly. The drop frame has been propped up to magnet height by the big block in the center. Note that the stage support blocks on the drop frame are about two inches above the rotation frame. This is the initial position of the Time Machine support assembly.

  • This is a close-up view of one corner of the rotation frame and drop frame assembly in the initial position. The magnet holds the steel plate, and the stage-support blocks and 2x4 are about 2 inches above the rotation frame, on which the stage will land when dropped.

    This is a close-up view of one corner of the rotation frame and drop frame assembly in the initial position. The magnet holds the steel plate, and the stage-support blocks and 2x4 are about 2 inches above the rotation frame, on which the stage will land when dropped.

  • This is a slightly lower angle of view of the drop frame and rotation frame in initial position.

    This is a slightly lower angle of view of the drop frame and rotation frame in initial position.

  • This is a view of the drop frame on the ground. In operation, it will be suspended from the stage when it sits on the rotation frame, and will not be on the ground. That will permit the Time Machine to be rotated with the stage elevated or dropped.

    This is a view of the drop frame on the ground. In operation, it will be suspended from the stage when it sits on the rotation frame, and will not be on the ground. That will permit the Time Machine to be rotated with the stage elevated or dropped.

  • This is the rotation frame with the drop frame on the ground. You can see the alignment blocks in position that restrict the up-down motion to make sure the steel blocks are properly aligned with the magnets when the stage is raised and the magnets are on.

    This is the rotation frame with the drop frame on the ground. You can see the alignment blocks in position that restrict the up-down motion to make sure the steel blocks are properly aligned with the magnets when the stage is raised and the magnets are on.

  • This is another view of the drop frame on the ground in the rotation frame, to show how the alignment blocks are arranged.

    This is another view of the drop frame on the ground in the rotation frame, to show how the alignment blocks are arranged.

  • This is the floor of the stage. The drop frame was raised and the stage and Time Machine room were installed on top. The stage was screwed to the four 2x4 blocks on the drop frame to complete the mechanical arrangements.

    This is the floor of the stage. The drop frame was raised and the stage and Time Machine room were installed on top. The stage was screwed to the four 2x4 blocks on the drop frame to complete the mechanical arrangements.

  • The Time Machine structure is completed. This is the stage in the lower position, sitting on the rotation frame. With the magnets loosely fastened, the steel plates loosely fastened, and the stage dropping on the magnet attachment bolts in the rotation frame, the Time Machine made a satisfying crash when the power to the electromagnets was turned off.

    The Time Machine structure is completed. This is the stage in the lower position, sitting on the rotation frame. With the magnets loosely fastened, the steel plates loosely fastened, and the stage dropping on the magnet attachment bolts in the rotation frame, the Time Machine made a satisfying crash when the power to the electromagnets was turned off.

  • This is the back side of the assembled Time Machine in the lower position. If the connection to the power supply was interrupted, a smooth drop to the rotation platform took place. If the power was removed to the power supply feeding the magnets, as the energy dropped from the power supply, one of the magnets would release before the others, providing a more interesting, rocking drop to the rotation frame.

    This is the back side of the assembled Time Machine in the lower position. If the connection to the power supply was interrupted, a smooth drop to the rotation platform took place. If the power was removed to the power supply feeding the magnets, as the energy dropped from the power supply, one of the magnets would release before the others, providing a more interesting, rocking drop to the rotation frame.

  • This shows the completed Time Machine structure. The walls are made of 1/8 inch luan plywood with 1x3 stiffeners. The horizontal board is a handle for lifting the stage and room back up for connection to the electromagnets.

    This shows the completed Time Machine structure. The walls are made of 1/8 inch luan plywood with 1x3 stiffeners. The horizontal board is a handle for lifting the stage and room back up for connection to the electromagnets.

  • This is the back of the Time Machine. The power line to the electromagnets is supported by rubber bands to keep it out from under the wheels and to allow continuous connection to the power supply as the assembly is rotated.

    This is the back of the Time Machine. The power line to the electromagnets is supported by rubber bands to keep it out from under the wheels and to allow continuous connection to the power supply as the assembly is rotated.

  • This is the other side wall of the Time Machine room. The lightweight materials were used to maximize the payload (visitors/victims) supported by the magnets. The holes in the lower part of the walls will be hidden by coverings when in use. They permit cast members to reach into the room and grab the victims' (ankles) to increase the experience.

    This is the other side wall of the Time Machine room. The lightweight materials were used to maximize the payload (visitors/victims) supported by the magnets. The holes in the lower part of the walls will be hidden by coverings when in use. They permit cast members to reach into the room and grab the victims' (ankles) to increase the experience.

  • This is the completed Time Machine. For strength and for identification, a board was screwed across the top, finishing the basic structure. Decorations giving a machine-like appearance will be added inside the room. The completed structure was tested with four large adults, and it provided a very satisfying experience. It can be quickly recycled to its initial height, and it rotates on the rough surface visible with a "freaky" effect, especially since everything is in the dark with only UV light at the time. Yet it was stable enough to give no clue of what was to happen.

    This is the completed Time Machine. For strength and for identification, a board was screwed across the top, finishing the basic structure. Decorations giving a machine-like appearance will be added inside the room. The completed structure was tested with four large adults, and it provided a very satisfying experience. It can be quickly recycled to its initial height, and it rotates on the rough surface visible with a "freaky" effect, especially since everything is in the dark with only UV light at the time. Yet it was stable enough to give no clue of what was to happen.

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    Here you can see the arrangement of the wheels on the rotating frame, so they would follow a circle on the ground. This virtual pivot arrangement simplified the mechanical arrangements.
    This is the frame, as used. The magnets will go on the 2x4s.
    There are two parts to the magnet system. The elctromagnets and the steel plates held by them. We had 1 inch steel cut into pieces slightly larger than the magnets. They were drilled and tapped so we could transfer the load of the Time Machine room to the magnets. We mounted the steel plates on oak 2x4s, which became the drop frame.