Fabric pulling mechanism 1

[Rahulk96]

So, I am working on a project where I need to pull a fabric (heavy) off of a stage, once the fabric is dropped by a kabuki reveal system.

My pressure points are:
1. The fabric is heavy - 25kg (best case scenario)
2. The fabric is also super wide (25 * 11 m)
3. The mechanism needs to pull the fabric really quickly (5-7m/second), effortlessly.

I've looked at winches but they'll be slow, looked at AC motors but the weight might be a problem, plus I'm afraid the fabric might tear if dragged (guess that's another pressure point).

If anyone's got some tips on how I could achieve this, throw em my way.

Thanks!

 

[desertfox]

Hi Rahulk96

Have you considered pneumatic cylinders?

https://store.camozzi.co.uk/Catalog...MIqIDL-tCd-AIVCpBoCR234QbOEAAYAiAAEgIZNPD_BwE

“Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater.” Albert Einstein

 

[Rahulk96]

Ah, I was thinking about a piston based mechanism but didn't know what they were called. I'll look into it.
Thanks desertfox!

 

[desertfox]

Hi
I was thinking you could have some type of claw that would grab the material and that the claw could be attached to a cylinder/s to then pull the material off the stage.

You’re very welcome by the way.

“Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater.” Albert Einstein

 

[Rahulk96]

I was on the same wavelength, but I am afraid if I were to drag the material, it might tear (possibility). I was alternatively thinking of doing this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-RNT-UBmf4.

Suspended on a tress structure, but the weight of the material is so problematic. So, I had to give up on the idea.

BTW,I also think that friction could be a problem if the fabric is dragged. Hmm, something I might need to think about too. Multiple cylinders with claws could be implemented though.

 

[3DDave]

Stage ninjas.

 

[wayne440]

Stage ninjas

Agree, a few stage hands might be the easiest solution.

 

[Sparweb]

Um, hasn't that been done with ropes and sand bags for hundreds of years?

 

[Rahulk96]

True, but alas the deliverable is completely against using any sandbags or manpower. Everything needs to be automated.

 

[Sparweb]

"against using any sandbags or manpower"

Rolls eyes

Okay...
Trap door under the stage that opens and the fabric is pulled down into it. Might get snagged though.
Make fabric in 2 pieces, stage left and stage right. Pull them each to the side, reducing the load to 12 kg each.

How unreasonable does the "deliverable" need to be?
Helium balloons attached to the fabric, tethered to the floor with electromagnets. Turn off the magnets and up the balloons go, lifting the fabric. You might need a lot of balloons to lift 25 kilos.
Are you also expected to 3D print some parts? Control it via WiFi from the deliverable's phone app?