The "Wheel of Deception" project, sponsored by Derek, addresses a gap in the professional entertainment market for compact, high-tech rigging hardware. Existing "off-the-shelf" rigged wheels are typically large, stationary floor units costing upwards of $10,000, making them difficult to transport and unsuitable for close-up environments like bar-top performances. The scope of this project was to engineer a portable, high-performance alternative that maintains all the functionality of a full-sized unit while fitting within a desktop footprint. This project matters because it provides a cost-effective, mobile solution for performers who require professional-grade mechanical deception in versatile, small-scale settings.
To achieve the transition from a massive floor unit to a portable bar-top model, our team focused on miniaturization and high-torque density. We used SolidWorks to design a compact internal chassis that houses a high-torque stepper motor and a custom-designed bearing assembly, ensuring the wheel remains stable on a counter despite its reduced weight. The "deception" mechanism is powered by an integrated microcontroller and a wireless receiver, allowing for discreet remote operation. By utilizing 3D printing for custom internal mounts and lightweight materials for the external housing, we successfully reduced the overall mass and volume of the device while significantly lowering production costs compared to industry-standard alternatives.
The final result is a fully functional, tabletop "Wheel of Deception" prototype that is roughly 1/10th the size of traditional rigged wheels. Our team successfully delivered a unit that can be easily transported and operated on a standard bar counter. Key deliverables include the physical prototype, the CAD assembly files for the miniaturized chassis, and a wireless control interface. The final build proves that professional-grade mechanical rigging can be achieved in a portable form factor for a fraction of the $10,000 market price.