mrbaddeley

Sharing the source designs..

Well, it's been a weekend of refining. I've finished the Gripper arm and started what I thought would be easy, the utility Arm servo set up. On it's own it's easy, but when added to the design I had to make sure it didn't collide with all the other moving bits. I've done a couple of designs this weekend (5 prints which I'm dissolving in acetone as I type), but I think I've cracked it. So as we get...

Utility Arms Servo Mechanism

I've got a few little builds / designs as we finish off the Servo / animation sections. This is the central Servo block for the two utility arms, it's a 5 piece print with the main block, two extended Servo arms and two Servo bars (in Ninjaflex). I've also got a nice idea on the other utility arm which should give options on Saw, Data Arm etc. Happy printing. As always, thanks to all my Patreons, ...

Adafruit, Arduino and Servos....

Hi, I've added new instructions to the Patreon share, its a basic guide to my approach to controlling the servos, adding animation and working with the Padawan 360 system. It's the bare bones and my no means a full programming lesson, but it should get you started on the basics! I've also added my (wip) sketch to the Patreon share. 

Hope it helps, please let me know what you think! I probab...

Gripper Arm tested and released to Patreons!

OK, I've completed the testing, tweaked the design and written the instructions. The Gripper Arm is now ready for you to print, play and test :-) As always this will be released to the lovely early adopters through the Patreon Share, I'll move it over to the public folder in a couple of weeks once we've all tested it. Thank you again for all your support, I'm particularly excited about this one as...

Quick gripper module update!

I've revised the design to bring in the S3003 Servo and it works a treat!!! All files changed in the wip folder in the Patreon page (Gripper). Going to create a similar set up for the other side with the data interface arm, then maybe we can also make some others (I keep thinking about a "wine" dispenser, that would be cool for parties), not really film accurate but impressive if we can get it wor...

Upgrade to the gripper arm lifting servo..

Really pleased with the gripper arm, however the little servos I'm using across R2 struggle a bit so I'm upgrading the design to use the S3003 servo just for the arm lift. Looks like a chunky beast so just changing the design to accommodate. Will publish the design and instructions hopefully this Monday along with my Padawan 360 code (I'll explain what I've done because you'll need to change to yo...

Gripper arm in test.

Designed a gripper arm module. Runs on two servos in the body, one to lift the arm and the other to animate the gripper. I've used nylon filament as a control cable so the size can be to scale and minimise noise. Works well, needs a slightly stronger servo for the lift (on order) and I'll publish it soon. I think we can do a 3 servo animation also, keep printing :-) the files are in Wip on the ear...

Something exciting.....

Well, I think we've got a really exciting addition to the R2 build.. Just done a proof of concept on some detail / animation and it look fantastic (even though I say so myself).. stay posted for images and details this weekend....

Arduinos Arduinos everywhere...

Just a quick (probably long) update. Now I've finished the main body of Artoo, legs, drive etc. I thought I'd spend a little time on exploring electronic options for movement. Now I've got to say, the Adafruit 12 bit 16 channel servo controller is my new friend! These little boards are superb, then can be chained together on the i2c channel and control endless amounts of servos and LEDs. I have tw...

Patreon Share..

Hi, don't forget, as Patreons you do get early access to designs on the Patreon share. Here's the link! https://1drv.ms/f/s!AjIlFUf9uEzogcQlHKmwWloq02j7AQ I do want to keep sharing everything openly but also want to recognise those that are helping to fund my projects and designs so the early access is an ob...

Holoprojector Servo published! (and instructions).

Holoprojector plans, instructions and STLs all published, both in Patreon and Public share. I've added a servotest sketch for the Arduino / adafruit 16 channel board, but it's only an example. Once I've got it all working with the Padawan 360 I'll publish my code but I'm certainly not a programmer however it may help. Enjoy as always and happy printing!

Mike

Holoprojectors n stuff

A little quiet recently but I've been working on some interesting stuff! This is the holoprojectors running off two servos. The nice thing is, I'm using a adafruit 16 channel servo board. This can easily run 6 servos in the dome and two sets of leds per servo, I've gone for a three white (one set) and a color (red for one and blue for another) led in each holoprojector. This takes 12 channels, 6 s...

Foot shells.. option 2

I'm doing an alternative design for the outer foot shell. The simple two part shell can give fairly difficult warping issues. This is a multiple part kit which is looking clean and warp free. Each work just giving more options :-)

Happy printing,

Mike,

Dome Drive Gear instructions published.

All the files and instructions now published in the Patreon Share. This has been printed and fully tested. Works perfectly. 

Happy printing...

Mike,

Drive gear, Motor mount and slipring published!

I've printed and tested the drive gear, the motor mount and the slipring bracket. Works beautifully so really pleased. The motor I've based it on is http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/mfa-45-15v-large-501-single-ratio-motor-gearbox-n99bn however I've made the bracket which holds the motor...

Drive gear printed and tested.

Drive gear, drive motor bracket, slip ring bracket and cabling support all done and tested. I've just got some soldering to do now! Note these designs are not posted at the moment because my phone lines and internet is down. I'll pop them up as soon as I can! Damn BT...

Starting to look a lot like R2...

Version 2 is coming along lovely. This weekend hoping to get the motor bracket for the head in place along with some of the electronics mounted (and the printed mount frames for them). I've installed the teeces lights into the dome with a new screw threaded PSI lens. Getting to the point where the main frame and mechanism is complete. I still have to do battery boxes (and might revisit the outer f...

Dome Motor

I've bought this motor for the Dome (from Maplins in the UK). I can make other mounts for other motors, just need the dimensions. The first bracket will be based on this motor though. 

Mike,

Dome Drive

I've now finished the foot drives (for now). They work extremely well, I've thickened the wheels and the drive belts work well (if they're a little loose, try printing at 97% size). So on to the dome drive. I've started with the gear ring (including a slip ring frame). Just printing at the moment. With this, we will have a 3 legged droid which moves and dome spins. I still have to mount the e...

Tweaked the design for the front vents

I've changed the front vent bracket so the speakers are easy to mount. The first design for the front bracket didn't fit easily and made it difficult to mount the speakers. I've redesigned a plate which the speakers screw to behind the front vents. I may modify the front vents slightly but the design will be OK if you've already printed the front vents. I want to loosen the fit a little and p...

Version 2 wheel and tyre files available.

Upgraded to the wider tyre and fitted one to my R2. Doesn't need any frame change just the wheel and tyre prints. Will test it moving once the other tyre is printed but looks great and fits / spins beautifully.

New improved tyre

Ok, so version 3 or 4 of the drive system was great but wheel spins galore! So we've now got a new chunkier tyre and it looks good! Just printing the second one then I'll fit them. It worked well previously on flat surface but carpet was a struggle. Let's see how we go with these bad boys. If this works then the drive is fully complete for now (tempted to do a direct 4 wheel drive in the future. )...

Update, the journey continues.

Just designing thicker wheels and tires. I've found a way (I think) to increase the wheel and tyre thickness without reprinting the frame, so should make it easier to update. Next it's the dome mechanism. Just waiting on motor choice but can still start on the inner gear and drive gear (and slip ring holder). Also soldered my Teeces and spent some time on the dome. Good progress so far.

We have movement.

Finished the ankle and assembled. Couldn't resist connecting the motors up to my Padawan 360 system (bluetacked onto a placemat). Anyhow, works superbly. The drive and drive belts performed brilliantly. Really pleased. Think ankle locks and maybe wider wheels may be a tweak as we did have wheel spins but extremely pleased so far.

We have legs!

Just printed the centre ankle and frame so had to put it on its own three feet! The ankle prints failed /warped (quite unusual for me) but I managed to salvage enough to test the build. Will reprint later. Overall sturdy and happy with the structure. I've got a loose Padawan setup so temped to give it a little roll.

Outer Foot instructions

I've completed the build instructions for the foot drives and shell build. This is one of the more critical and complex build so hopefully the instructions help everyone. I've just completed the centre leg frame and centre Ankle design, just printing at the moment but once complete Artoo can stand on three legs (wheels). I've also got a Padawan 360 system (in pieces at the moment) but I've tested ...

Notes on electronics...

Obviously there's many ways of bringing Artoo to life with different electronic solutions. I thought I'd share my purchases so far and the build. I'm going for a Padawan 360 control. This is based around an Xbox 360 controller and put together by Dan Kraus https://github.com/dankraus/padawan360.

I've got so far:

Outer Foot Shell

I've completed the Outer Foot Shell now, just test printing it. I've done two versions, a full uncut version (well 2 parts including the cross bar) and a cut version with the cross bar (3 parts). The design has all supports built in, so generated supports are not needed. I'm testing the print with PETG but ABS should also be fine. Features include all supports, captive nuts for attaching to drive ...

The shells are on the way....

Foot shells are coming along nicely. It does take time as I'm doing inbuilt supports. Should be a two piece print for the main shell, with a couple of small parts. Cut for 200x200 print base. I'm also going to be sharing all the source designs with the Patreons so people can modify, improve or change. It may also help with those wanting to learn Fusion 360. In between time I'm also building my R2 ...

Electronics

Lots of options for all electronics. I'm going to go for the Padawan 360 controller set up. This is a very popular choice I will be sharing my buildin more detail on the Patreon posts as we continue. The Astromech.net has loads of reference and info.