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Step 1
First thing first, you will need an air compressor. The air compressor supplies the air needed to bring your props to life. For those who are just starting off with one or two props a 3-5 gallon air compressor will work. The air compressor will fill the tank with air and then shut off once the tank is full. Each time the prop is triggered it draws air from the tank depleting the tank. Once the tank gets to low the compressor will automatically turn on and refill the tank. Once the tank is full it will shut off.
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Step 2
A cheap way to build your system up is to get a few air tanks. The air tanks can hold more air causing your compressor to turn on fewer times, however it will tank longer for the system to fill up making the compressor run longer when it is on. Put an air tank in between the compressor and the prop, that each prop has its own tank before it starts depleting the air from the compressor’s tank. Air tanks cost about $20 and with two or three will give you plenty of air.
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Step 3
Second you will need a solenoid valve. A solenoid valve works the same way as a light switch. When power is turned on air will flow out the out-put port causing the prop to perform its action, similar to a light turning on when a light switch is flipped on. Once the solenoid is disconnected from the power the air shuts off, and the prop returns to its natural position. Depending on how you build your prop determines what type of solenoid valve you will need. If you are using a three way solenoid you will need a system of returning the prop back to its natural position. This can easily be done using springs. While the prop is in its natural state secure the springs to the base of the prop and the other end somewhere on the prop itself. Once the prop is activated the springs will allow the prop to move up and once it is turned off will force the air out of the line pulling the prop back down to its natural position. A four way valve has two out-ports which allow air to flow to the prop when activated and then once it is turned off the other line feeds air through it forcing the prop back down to its natural position.
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Step 4
Third you will need an air regulator. This piece is not mandatory but is highly recommended. This gives more flexibility to control the air flow to each prop. Each prop will have its own solenoid valve and in between each solenoid and the compressor you will want to put a regulator in the line so each prop can be regulated to meet its specific needs. Each prop might need different air pressure to make the prop work. The best way to do this is to turn the pressure from the air compressor all the way up, this way you can lower the pressure for each prop. Some props need more air pressure to move than others, which would require more air. If you have to much pressure going to the prop it will slam up violently causing damage to the prop and possibly injuring any one standing to close. This is why you want to be able to adjust the air pressure at each prop.
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Step 5
Fourth you will need an air cylinder. The air cylinder is the actual mechanical part that makes the prop move. This is where the line coming from the compressor and solenoid feed into. When the solenoid is turned on air flows through the cylinder and forces the arm of the cylinder out, this gives the motion needed for your prop. Professional air cylinders usually have two ports so you can hook one line up to supply the air in and the other line to force the air out of the cylinder. Depending on what the prop is actually doing to may want to switch the lines coming from the solenoid valve to the cylinder. For example if you wanted to make a drop panel fall down when triggered allowing an actor or prop to pop out you would have the line supplying air to the prop in its natural state and then when triggered the solenoid will force the air out of the cylinder causing the panel to drop revealing your actor or prop.
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Step 6
Now that I have explained the basic parts needed we can go into more details in the next part.
