Spotlight: Toothsome

Project Spotlight

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Studios

Dynapac’s company slogan and creative commitment, “You dream it, we rotate it,” was on full display during a recent project commissioned by Sign Producers and Universal Studios.

Having worked with companies like Disney and Universal Studios in the past, including a project at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Dynapac Rotating is well known in the industry for its ability to create custom-crafted devices, no matter the complexity or scope of the project. Based on this reputation, Sign Producers and Universal Studios reached out to Dynapac earlier this year to produce a special mechanical rotator device for the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.

Because the sign’s design called for a double mechanical rotator drive that could spin an outer ring while also rotating a minute hand back and forth, Dynapac set out to create a custom rotator unit with a custom frame and housing. Dynapac engineers designed a single unit with two bearings and two drive units to create the desired motion.

The frame of the Dynapac rotator not only moves both objects (the rotating ring and the minute hand), but also holds the center stationary face of the sign. To achieve this, Dynapac engineers had to design a multi-concentric-tube device to hold all three objects – the moving minute hand, the stationary sign face, and the moving outer ring. And, as with every Dynapac drive unit, a safety clutch device was incorporated into both rotating elements to prevent damage to the gears, motor and sign due to high winds or obstruction from a foreign object.

In addition to the mechanical parts, Dynapac designed and programmed a custom motor control system to operate the rotating ring and minute hand. A variable speed drive was added to provide the option to change the speed of the outer ring, and to reverse its direction. The sign’s minute hand waves back and forth using proximity sensors connected to the computer system. Once the hand hits the end of the stroke, the motor ramps down in speed and reverses direction gently, so as not to bounce and create a distraction to those viewing it.

After a few design iterations to get the right fit and motion, Dynapac delivered a final product, which is now on display at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Studios. At first glance, the casual observer might not appreciate the ingenuity of the design and the complexity of the motion involved, but perhaps that’s the mark of a well-made rotating sign.

Universal Studios and Sign Producers dreamed it. Dynapac created it. If your business is looking to implement an attention-grabbing display like the one seen at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, Dynapac Rotating Co. is ready to transform your dream into a rotating reality.