Salamander
A gallery of building this can be seen HERE
Carved from lime wood and painted in acrylics this animatronic salamander detects the presence of people in the vicinity and turns its head to look at them and follows them as they move. As the person gets closer the tracking action becomes more refined and if they get too close it opens it's mouth to threaten them.
Quality construction with brass and anodised aluminium axles and cam holders. Counterweights are aesthetically finished with artists gesso, acrylic paint and acrylic varnish.
Friction points have Teflon pads, cams have roller bearings and cams and gears are coated with wax acrylic varnish for longevity.
Wiring runs through acrylic channels.
Built with a view to easy maintenance this animatronic can be taken apart to effect any necessary repairs.
Tail end slides off exposing control cord for replacement.
Body lifts off revealing the controls .
Head pin can be removed to release head and neck
Revealing the anchor point for the control cord.
The jaw is a press fit allowing control cord to be replaced.
The base can be unscrewed to open up access to the mechanism and the electronics.
Video showing animatronic salamander in action