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<font face="Arial">ratchet mechanism if you want old school. Each
time the solenoid is powered it pulls a pawl and advances a rotary
switch 1 position. You could also use a car door lock mechanism
in place of the solenoid, if you wish.<br>
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 01-Jul-25 8:37, Joe via Stagecraft
wrote:<br>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I am designing a simulated
knife throwing effect. The kind that would be used in Pajama
Game. But, I am attempting to do it with a target that
would not be able to hide someone behind it, to trigger the
knives. So, I will be using solenoids to release each
knife. Rather than eat up a dimmer channel for each knife, I
am hoping to use just one DMX dimmer channel to trigger
them. </div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">At first, I figured I would
put a snap-switch on each knife, which would close as soon
as that knife were released. That switch would then permit
the next knife to be connected electrically to my DMX dimmer
channel. However, I soon realize that this would only work
as long as I carefully control the length of time that the
power is applied. Otherwise, all the knives would be
released in rapid succession. I realize that the knife will
not instantly be released, because it will take short time
for the knife to actually travel far enough to activate the
switch. But, perhaps there is a more robust way to do this.</div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I know it it is possible to
do it with something like an Arduino, but I am also trying
to avoid the more complex electronics. I figure there must
be a way to do it with just relays... but I can't figure it
out.</div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The next approach I thought
of is to use a "Selector Switch". These are commonly used
on electric guitars, to select among multiple pickups. There
are even ones with the 6 positions that I need.</div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I also recall that there
are (Used to be?) motorized selector switches in industry
that would advance to the next contact for each time the
motor was energized. Though, I imagine modern electronics
have replaced those devices.</div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I guess I could create a
clock type of mechanism that would be activated by a
solenoid to push the guitar selector knob. But, of course, I
am hoping for a simpler solution that doesn't require as
much finesse to create.</div>
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Any suggestions?
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<div dir="ltr"
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