Frequently asked questions

The following are questions specific to the retail aspect of our product line.

Technical | Ordering | Shipping | Getting started | Other products |

TECHNICAL

1. WHAT MAKES THE BUTTERFLIES MOVE?

Elegant Aliforms have NO MOTOR. Their motion is created by a very high tech wire, called Flexinol ™. Flexinol’s diameter is approximately the size of a strand of hair. When heated by an electrical current, the wire contracts or becomes shorter. When the wire cools, it resumes its original length (or shape). Similar to a muscle contracting and relaxing, the Flexinol™ causes the wings to open and close, creating a very lifelike motion.

2. ARE THE BUTTERFLIES OPERATED BY BATTERIES OR ELECTRICITY?

They come with their own A/C adapter that plugs in to a regular wall outlet. If your wall outlet is susceptible to power surges, we recommend that you plug it in to a surge protector.
It takes 200 butterflies/dragonflies moving at once to equal the electrical usage of a 100 watt lightbulb. Because they use very little energy, not only can you leave them plugged in 24 hours a day, but it is recommended.
NOTE: We do not recommend using any adapter, other than the one furnished, at any time. This may cause fatal damage to your butterfly.

3. DO THE BUTTERFLIES HAVE A WARRANTY?

The butterflies should last for years, but they do come with a one year warranty with full replacement. In the unlikely event that your butterfly should fail, please call us before returning your purchase, and we will direct you to our manufacturer for replacement. -- Phone: (800) 235-2027.

4. WHERE ARE THE BUTTERFLIES MADE?

With the exception of the adapter, the entire butterfly is Made in the U.S.A.

5. HOW OFTEN DO THE BUTTERFLIES MOVE THEIR WINGS?

As depicted in the short video, the butterfly’s wings open and close every 6-8 seconds.

6. DO THE BUTTERFLIES MAKE NOISE?

No—because they have no motor, the butterflies are totally silent.

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ORDERING

1. HOW DO I ORDER? **

You can order by using our shopping cart. Or, you may print a copy of our order form and send it, along with a personal check, to:
Innovative Animation
982 Logan Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
If paying by check, PLEASE NOTE: We do not ship any product until we have confirmation that your check has cleared.

2. WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. As stated in No. 1, we do accept personal checks, but they will have to clear before product is shipped (7-10 days).

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SHIPPING **–

1. HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR SHIPPING?

We charge $ 7.95 per shipment. Whether you order 1 or 101, the shipping is $7.95.

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GETTING STARTED

1. WHERE AND HOW DO I ATTACH THE BUTTERFLY AND GET IT’S WINGS MOVING?

The butterflies legs are floral wire, making it simple to place them almost anywhere. Here are some suggestions:

• Silk plants and flowers - You simply wrap their “legs” around the branch, twig, or stem of a silk plant or flower. Then wind the gray wire through the plant to conceal it.
  
• Picture Frames and Mirrors - Attach your butterfly to a picture frame with tape or by sliding their “legs” into the space between the frame and the glass.
  
• Computer Monitor – Take your butterfly to work in your office or home. We recommend you first tape a silk flower or some ivy to your monitor (possibly with double stick tape), then add the butterfly.

After attaching your butterfly to its new home, plug the adapter into the wall outlet and then plug your butterfly into the adapter cord. It’s that easy.

2. WHAT IF MY BUTTERFLY’S WINGS DO NOT SEEM TO BE OPENING/CLOSING PROPERLY?

Sometimes one or both wings will get bumped downward. The wings MUST be in a “V” position in order to close. If a wing has been “knocked flat”, just flip the wing/wings back up into their natural “V” position.

Q: Whats the best way to hook up mutliple Aliforms from a single power source?
A: The best way is to chain them together as described in our connection diagram.

“BUTTERFLY/BUTTERFLIES” BELOW ALSO REFER TO OUR DRAGONFLIES.

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OTHER PRODUCTS

1. MAGNETS – Magnets are identical to the moving butterflies in appearance, but do not move.

2. INTERCHANGEABLE WINGS - Individual wings are also sold separately
so that you may change the species of your butterfly, i.e. change the Blue
Morpho wings to Postman wings at Christmas to create a moving ornament on your tree.

3. Y-PLUGS – Y-plugs allow you to connect two or more butterflies together,
using one adapter. This eliminates the need for numerous outlets needed to operate several butterflies. The butterflies will move in sequence, so we recommend having no more than four butterflies per adapter.

** Denotes RETAIL FAQS only.

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