ABSTRACT
What makes up an automated performer flying machine? Appropriate hardware selections are discussed, and how to determine if a piece of hardware is sufficiently well made and traceable. Then individual components of machine design are discussed. Servomotors, limit switches, fail-safe brakes, and grooved drums are all discussed as must-haves while cross-groove detection, load cells, and slackline monitoring are all presented as nice-to-haves. Correct limit testing and limits placement/arrangement are discussed in great detail as this is crucial in creating a “safe sandbox” in which we can play to create our show. The concept of the safe sandbox is the lens through which all these topics are discussed. If we take the time to create a safe space in which to play, we can eliminate a huge percentage of accidents and incidents we would otherwise have to constantly worry about.
