Projector Shutter

My school frequently uses its theater projector for shows. Even when the projector is fully dark, it still lets out light, which is visible when the stage is dark. In the past we have blocked this residual light with a piece of blackout fabric draped over the projector. However, the position of the projector makes this an awkward solution. So, I designed an easily controlled shutter to cover the front of the projector.

I briefly considered using an iris design for the shutter. However, getting an iris to fully cover the lens would require a level of precision I wasn’t confident I could achieve. I also thought that the louvre design was simpler and would be more reliable.

I designed the shutter in Fusion 360 and printed the parts on one of my 3D printers. I used an Arduino to control a servo that articulates the louvres. In addition to a switch to open and close the shutter, there is also a knob that allows you to control the speed of the servo. I placed the controls next to the sound board for easy operation.

The shutter has now been in service for two years, seeing regular use for open mic performances, school plays, musicals, and dance shows. I loved being able to use my skills to solve a minor, yet longstanding problem.