Inspired by the motion picture “The Jackal”, where Bruce Willis built a mean-ass automated gun (aka turret, aka sentry gun), I have always wanted to build something similar myself.
One of the hurdles I had to overcome was to automate the trigger… Iv’e tried loads of different solutions including electromagnets or weird solutions with strings and a rotary motor.
A major goal in this process is finding a way to get a rapid linear pull when flipping a switch upon which the “finger” should return to its original position… Ready for the next pull…
The solution I came up with (as shown in the pictures) was using the linear motor from the central locksystem used in a car. This was mounted on the gun with some pieces of aluminum from a studio rack mount and some parts for mounting a lock on a bike. I added a springcoil on the linear motor so it would go back to its original position. Finally I strung a wire from the “finger” and around back of the handle of the gun, thus making a soft but strong pull to the trigger.
Et voil?. Add 12v to the equation and you’ve got a lightning fast remote trigger and the ability to deploy rapid fire down range.
Be sure to read “The Turret #2″ – Mounting the gun. Coming soon.
