Page 54 - 15 Dangerously Mad Projects for the Evil Genius

CHAPTER 4

Mini Laser Turret

The turret gun is made of two miniature servos,
PROJECT SIZE: Medium of the type used in remote control planes, mounted

SKILL LEVEL: ★★★★ at right angles to each other so that one sweeps left
to right and the other raises or lowers the laser
module. Wires connect the turret to a control unit
WHEN PLANNING A CAMPAIGN of world domination, with a homemade joystick that allows the laser to
the Evil Genius likes to set up a model battlefield be aimed remotely.
using small plastic warriors on a realistic but
This project can also be combined with the
miniature battleground. Such preparations are project in the next chapter to allow the popping of
made even more enjoyable if one of the Evil balloons or the jumping of a can by the laser.
Genius’ favorite toys is brought into play.
The mini laser turret (Figure 4-1) can sit amidst WARNING!
the miniature battlefield. A joystick allows the
laser to be directed in a sweeping arc across the You should always take certain precautions when
using lasers:
battlefield, cutting a deep swath through the
massed ranks of the enemy. ■ Never shine a laser into your eyes or anyone
else’s.
■ Resist the temptation to check if the laser is on
by peering into it. Always shine it onto a sheet of
paper or some other light surface instead.

What You Will Need

To build this project, you will need the
components shown in the Parts Bin on the next
page.

You can buy laser modules from standard
component suppliers like Farnell and RS, but they
tend to be very expensive. So look online, where
they should cost no more than two or three dollars.

Figure 4-1 Mini laser turret The same applies to the servo motors, and if you

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