This Project and Instructable was worked on by AtharvaStretchBody_Neal_, XaXVersion0, and rahul_pasu where we as a collaborative group designed a creative automaton.

An Automaton is a moving mechanical device. For this project our groups automaton is based off the game, Five Nights at Freddy's. In Five Nights at Freddy’s you are a security guard at a pizzeria, guarding the area during a night shift. The objective is to stop Freddy and his friends from stuffing you into a suit. We recreated the scene where the security guard is sitting, looking over the cameras and doors, using wooden cams and pushrods. We will have two monsters standing outside of each door, which are opening and closing. Though this idea game is that of horror, it is intended for kids as well as teens, as it serves to be a more creative outlet.

Step 1: Materials

1 in x 6 in wood
½ in & ¼ in wood dowels / pushrods
¼ in & ⅛ in plywood
Printer paper
Hot glue sticks
Black paint
Wood glue

Step 2: Tools

Scroll saw
Bandsaw
Sander blocks
Paint brushes
Drill press
Hand drill
Hot glue gun
Screws
Printer
File

Step 3: Safety Precautions

Always wear safety glasses when using all machines
Always tie back loose hair
Don’t wear loose clothing or clothing with strings
Rollback clothing if long
Always check blade direction & bluntness
Check for blade tightness on scroll and band saw
Keep hands away from open blades

Step 4: Tips/ Hints

Use long screws
Paint in one direction
Use power tools to save time and for easier use
Use hot glue for joining objects together (glue, wood glue, & super glue don’t work as well)
Measure dimensions beforehand to ensure spacing & planning

Step 5: Design Plan

For our design plan, we first started with cutting the wooden borders for our automaton and then inserted the wooden dowels in the mechanism. Then we have to add all of the props, pushrods, and cams to the frame itself. Here is our final drawing:

Step 6: Base

We needed to cut out a base for our project.
Use ¾ inch wood, and cut initially 2: 6.5in x 5.5in x 3/4in and 2: 13.5in x 5.5in x ¾ in pieces of wood.
Using this construct the frame for the base.
Proceed to use ½ in dowel which supplied the torque for the automaton, which will be in the center of the side walls.
Cut out 3 cams with a diameter of 3 in
Drill a hole a ½ in. from the top of the cam.
Create two 4in x 1.5in x ¼ in, long pieces of wood.
Insert the cams 1.5in away from each sides of the design
Directly above drill 2 holes in the top frame ½ wide Insert 2 dowels about 3 inch in the holes
Then connect the dowels to the 4in x 1.5in x ¼ in, long piece of wood on both sides of the Automaton

Step 7: Stage Materials

For the stage we decided we needed to create a dark themed environment so to do this we created most of our structures painted in black.

This is a wall we used for our design which was 7in x 5.5in x ¾ in. We used them to create 2 walls on each side, and on the inside is where the dowel, and wall be located for the movement. Now the walls will need a ½ between one another, where inside the movable wall is located. The walls will also have to be ½ in - 1 in from the end of the top frame. But behind the walls we are going to include characters to make it a scary type of image for this automaton

For the project we had to include a table as it was an original part of the game, and we decided that we might include a fan, as this was of the defining features of the game inspiring our model. We also decided for a backdrop, that consisted of the Tv sets during the actually game to make it look similar to the actual style the game looked. We added a picture to the backdrop as a way to include more visuals into our project.

Step 8: Creating the Stage

First create a 7in x 2in x 1.5in small table
Then take the walls insert them 1.5in away from the ends of design
Leave a gap of ½ in and insert the other set of walls on the inside
Insert the dowel contraption from underneath and have someone hold it up
Then create 2 walls that are 5in x 5.5in x ½in
Use hot glue and correctly connect the walls to the dowels sticking out from underneath
Then let the wood piece down gently until the wall restricts it from moving any further down

Step 9: Reflection

During our design, we felt that our automaton would be good, but one our major problems is we tried to incorporate too many mechanisms into the design. Our design provided a great deal of effort, and as a group we felt our design was innovated being it was different than everyone else's. What we liked most about it is that our automaton reflected our original drawings a great amount. It also showed almost exactly what we were aiming to make. Next time we would change the exact dimensions of the design because we realized that the actual space needed for all the props was not enough. We also didn't have enough space to fit all of the props. For example, we didn't have enough space for the doors so we had to put it at an angle in order to fit it on the prototype. The next time we do this project, we would first build the props going on the design first so then we can atleast get a general idea of how much space should be needed. We would also put some more thought into the initial design in order to waste less time and have more time to finish the project.