Lego Technic Super-8 Movie Projector

[grindinggears]

peaceman alias Friedemann Wachsmuth posted this nice creation on his blog:

Lego Technic Super-8 Movie Projector

A fully functional Super 8 Movie Projector I built with Kalle using Lego Technic. The only non-Lego parts are the lens, the reel spindles and the lamp.

The projector uses just two engines and is fully featured with automatic feeding, 24 fps, fast rewind and 120m reel capabilities. A decent LED flashlight makes it pretty amazingly bright.

Watch the video here: http://vimeo.com/20107617

Are there any other Technic creations that fulfill a practical use? philo has built some scanning and photography bots but apart from that there is almost nothing coming to my mind.

[legolijntje]

Cool

I think if you want to make a helpful lego thing, you can use Mindstorms. I don't know where I saw it, but I saw someone who had made a tea stirrer from mindstorms, and I also saw a machine that automatically pours your drink.

So many possibilities...

[Solscud007]

Very cool. Didnt know this was already posted. Silly me I should have done a search. I thought since it was so recent it wasnt posted yet.

Any ideas how this was made? Im not familiar with the gear ratios and elements used in this build.

[grindinggears]

Any ideas how this was made? Im not familiar with the gear ratios and elements used in this build.

Well, the most complex part is imo the claw assembly which pushes the film forward 24 times per second by the length of exactly one frame.

My starting point for such a thing would be to spin a wheel at 24 rpm that is only connected to the claw mechanism for a short time every revolution. In this time the claw would unlock, the film would get pulled forward by one frame and the claw would lock again.

I hope you understand my thoughts, it's really difficult to put such mechanics in words.

In the model you have a similar claw mechanism that is not shown in detail but I think the long axle connected to the 40-tooth-gear is a lever that pushes the film forward.

[Solscud007]

Well, the most complex part is imo the claw assembly which pushes the film forward 24 times per second by the length of exactly one frame.

My starting point for such a thing would be to spin a wheel at 24 rpm that is only connected to the claw mechanism for a short time every revolution. In this time the claw would unlock, the film would get pulled forward by one frame and the claw would lock again.

I hope you understand my thoughts, it's really difficult to put such mechanics in words.

In the model you have a similar claw mechanism that is not shown in detail but I think the long axle connected to the 40-tooth-gear is a lever that pushes the film forward.

Yes. I understand the simple basics of how film is advanced in a projector. However Super 8 film was not shot at 24 fps. When working at Debenham Media Group, the colorists/transfer technicians would use their personal preference when selecting what speed FPS to transfer the film. It is really a personal preference.

Most people who shot S8mm film would had to have selected the frame rate at the time of shooting. Which makes things difficult when transfering since most people who transfer usually inherited the film or forgot what it was shot at.

My co-workers would choose between 16-18 fps for some film. The only true way to know is if the person shot the film and specifically requests the frame rate. But 8mm, S8mm and 16mm were shot at various different frame rates.

But most of the time not at 24 fps. people will choose a slower frame rate also to save on film and make their 50ft rolls last longer. Anything longer was spliced from 50 ft rolls of film.

[dr_spock]

Interesting. I used to run the projectors at school before video tape came along. Took a bit more effort than pressing the play button.

[Solscud007]

Ok so I asked my old co-worker about S8mm. Generally it was shot at 18fps. Some newer S8mm with sound may have been shot in 24 but very rarely is it found in 24fps.