Artist needs help with push button motor functions

Projects General Guidance
1

Hey everyone,

I want to start off by saying I have zero knowledge in this area and am reaching out to hopefully find some assistance. I am an artist and have an idea for an art installation that requires electronic components. I’ve made an elevator painting and I’m trying to have elevator-like elements for the viewer to interact with. Essentially as the viewer pretending you’re using an elevator, you push a button and an elevator level indicator spins.

A little more detail, there will be 8 led momentary push buttons all with the same function. Once you push the button the elevator arrow turns clockwise in a complete circle, about 4 revolutions per minute, nothing super fast. (I thought it’d be more fun if the semi circle indicator’s arrow rotated fully.)

Here’s a video demonstrating the elevator level indicator rotation.

I have a link of the style of led buttons I'm interested in, but am unsure of the voltage/amps and if there’s a better website other than amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/warranty-Momentary-Stainless-Mounting-Self-reset/dp/B07Q2HNZCX/ref=sr_1_14?crid=8B30J4E2GGIS&keywords=led%2Bmomentary%2Bpush%2Bbutton%2Byellow&qid=1707099820&sprefix=led%2Bmomentary%2Bpush%2Bbutton%2Byellow%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-14&th=1

Here is a link to the physical elevator level dial. I was thinking it would work to somehow attach a motor to the back of the arrow so it can spin.

I’m not sure where to start, or if this is even the right place to ask for help. I did some research and it seems like using an Arduino might work, but have no clue which kind, and if that would be correct.

Please let me know what important information I’m withholding to make your life easier in understanding what I’m going for. Thank you to anyone that reads this :slight_smile:

2

Choose a motor type… probably a stepper, since you want more than 180-degrees (an RC servo).

Once you have that sketch out a block diagram showing all the components and their place in the scheme of things.

3

so the arrow does not stop in front or a number depending on the button your pushed but the arrow just spins CW infinitely at 4 RPM?

4

What is that? I just see a single clock hand.

Also, presumably the rotation is not continuous, but stops after one or more full rotations? Otherwise user interaction seems rather unnecessary!

Also not sure about the purpose of the eight identical buttons? Why is more than one needed? Perhaps just to enable activation from various locations? Or do you mean they are simply physically identical, but have different purposes?

Are successive presses intended to toggle the rotation, i.e, stop/start it?

The motor choice will also depend on what degree of quietness you want.

5

that's how I understood it

image
image2564×1434 665 KB

6

Thanks, makes sense. I’d hastily assumed the video was made by the OP.

I’m guessing a bit, but presumably the similar buttons are each intended to move the indicator to the appropriate level, and then stop. Pressing another button while still ‘moving’ would change to that level?

7

I think OP needs to provide more input indeed

8

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