Turning target electrical/electronic help needed!

[Easywelder]

I would like to build a turning air pistol target for my daughters to practice with. Basically need to be able to press a button and the target turns to face for 4 seconds( be good if this could be varied), then turns edge on again. I’m not good with electronics I’m assuming its not too complicated though, power supply, some sort of interval timer module, with reset, and a servo of some sort, any help gratefully received!

 

[Robotstar5]

I built one for my shooting club in the 80's, seemed to recall it was based around a 555 timer.

 

[Hopefuldave]

A servo would be a bit OTT - wouldn't a simple solenoid do, with a spring return? A design improvement might be to have a handful of targets and flip one at random on pushing the button, to speed their target acquisition... Could even have good/bad targets
Another 555 timer clocking a counter fairly fast, counter outputs and the button-push (a few 2-inputs AND or NAND gates?) selecting the target by triggering a 555 for each might work?

 

[daleyd]

Could you do something with arduino or similar? Easy to learn, internet is full of resources, easily configurable (If you wanted to change timings, have random times etc) and most of all cheap!

There's loads of other single board types around, but these are simple and good for a beginner. If you wanted buttons to control it they have inputs and outputs in one box...

 

[Easywelder]

For info, it would be like the small single training version at the bottom of this link, http://www.air-targets.com/pony-club.html the weight that is being turned is very small.

 

[winchman]

What about a windscreen wiper motor?

 

[Misterg]

Ideal job for an Arduino - it could drive a standard RC servo directly.

Have a look at the second wiring diagram (Sweep circuit) here:

Servo Motor Basics with Arduino | Arduino Documentation

Learn how to connect and control servo motors with your Arduino board.

docs.arduino.cc

It would only need minor changes to the code to get it to pause at the extremes of movement (can help with this if/when the hardware is sorted). My only concern is whether an RC servo would flip the target quickly enough.

Decent Arduino Uno copies are about £7

One Arduino could potentially control many servos.

 

[Barking Mat]

What about a windscreen wiper motor?

Good suggestion.

 

[Hopefuldave]

Ideal job for an Arduino - it could drive a standard RC servo directly.

Have a look at the second wiring diagram (Sweep circuit) here:

Servo Motor Basics with Arduino | Arduino Documentation

Learn how to connect and control servo motors with your Arduino board.

docs.arduino.cc

It would only need minor changes to the code to get it to pause at the extremes of movement (can help with this if/when the hardware is sorted). My only concern is whether an RC servo would flip the target quickly enough.

Decent Arduino Uno copies are about £7

One Arduino could potentially control many servos.

An Arduino could also score the hits / misses, they could have piezo sensors on the individual targets? I still think a simple solenoid with spring return would probably be the fastest flip!

 

[500e]

Your only looking for 3 Face times 8/4/3 sec but five targets to face up on.22 rapid fire.
The club used a timer board and solenoid which give you a good movement.
Solenoid pulls target to face spring to return to stand by Velman or a like co do timer boards

 

[500e]

We had a top rail with the target on a ply base the bottom pivot was connected to a offset rod the solenoid pulled, frame was ally to stop ricochet
The targets were silhouette as well about 12/14 inches if my memory is correct, long time ago
Used to shoot in mid high 80 on old targets
Should give you some ideas

 

[Easywelder]

I’ve just had a price from the company in the link above and it’s £150 or £180 for heavier duty one. I don’t think it’s worth my while building one at that. Maybe if I had spare time but I’ve a long list already!