HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey) - pg.5 final Update

AP 333

New Member
Hello to all,
I'd like to present to you my own HAL 9000 panel project and research, based strictly on the panel shown in Kubrick’s 2001: Space Odyssey and on some facts and research from this forum (especially on the Nikkor lens. Thank you all!). please excuse my bad grammar

Contents:
1) The original panel
2) A fix dimension
3) First dimensions
4) Scaling the panel
5) The speaker grid
6) The lens
7) The engraving
8) The HAL | 9000 label
9) The Panel
MY HAL 9000 PANEL

Page 5 final 1:1 full aluminum HAL 9000 panel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) The original panel
First of all I needed as much detailed pictures of the HAL panel as possible.
As far as I know there is no screen used panel left from the movie.
I saw the one from the auction some years ago but it clearly had different proportions.
There was also one panel shown in an exhibition but it also had differences (proportion, different lens (f=7,5mm), number of holes in the speaker grid). Maybe one made by Dennis Gilliam

So I decided to refer (only -> see Edit) on screenshots from the original movie (Blu-Ray)
And the prototype panel

Edit : During my research I came to the conclusion to refer also on the Prototype HAL
Except of the panels height and the replaced speaker grid, all other dimensions including the worn out “HAL | 9000” label do fit the dimensions from the screen-used panel.
Besides:
- The panel was found in UK
- Along with the Brain Room key
- Was marked as authentic
- Sold for £17,500/$27,615 (seems to be authentic enough for me ;D)
- -> see auction

High_Res_HAL_Pre.jpg

DOWNLOAD (High-Res HAL Prototype-Picture)

All HAL shots:

6370-hal_shots.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) A fix dimension
Now, that I had pretty good pictures, I needed a reference dimension to scale all the other measurements.
Based on the great research on the lens, here in this forum
I chose the lens outer diameter as the fix dimension.
In case of a NIKKOR fish-eye 1:8 f=8mm lens the outer diameter would be d=82mm.
In the picture below you can barely identify, that the engraved letters “f=8mm” do fit (… “f=7.5” wouldn’t)


6464-lens-proof.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) First dimensions
I took the most detailed screenshot of the lens and opened it in a CAD-software (SolidWorks).
I scaled the picture up, so the lens would fit in a 1:1, 82mm circle. Then I could easily define the panel’s width and the aluminum trim width. (lens dimensions -> mm, panel dimensions -> inch)

6372-size_proof.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Scaling the panel
I proceeded with this method by using screenshots of the whole panel, to get all the remaining dimensions. (I always checked the proportions with all screenshots that show HAL from different angles and perspectives)

6724-hal-dim.jpg


HAL_9000%20by%20A.P._s.jpg

You can download the high-res panel drawing here

#UPDATE: the label dimensions changed ->see below! (Point 8. The HAL | 9000 label)
DOWNLOAD (HAL_Drawing_PDF)#Rev.2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) The speaker grid
No HAL panel or blue print that I have seen so far had the right number of holes.
So thanks to the good quality on the Blu-Ray I could easily count the holes -> 22x18.
The special thing about the holes is the rectangular arrangement (not quadratic!)

6718-grid-proof_s.jpg


#UPDATE:
I tried to find the original audio device from where the grid was taken by following these criteria:
____________________
The grill probably belongs to a radio (maybe a transistor radio) or to another audio device such as a speaker, walkie talkie, cassette recorder... etc.

Besides the measurements, I have following information:

The grid is from an audio device, which was produced before Dec. 1965
(Principal photography began December 29, 1965, in Stage H at Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, England)
(I'd say in a range between 1960-1965)
From UK (but not a must!)

The grid is corrugated (horizontally or vertical and rotated by 90deg), not smooth.
It is made of thin sheet metal and it seems to be bent on the edges.
There are 22x18 holes
The holes are arranged rectangular (maybe due to the corrugated surface).
The holes are on the top of the "waves".
and arranged in a straight pattern (not shifted)
The holes are flush with the edges.

It is possible, that the whole grill was tailored, so that the general size doesn't have to fit 100%, as long the spacing and arrangement of the holes does.
____________________

After many hours/days of research on the internet, I nearly saw every transistor radio from 1960 to 1964 ;D but no luck finding this damn grid :\

IF YOU HAVE SEEN AN AUDIO DEVICE WITH THIS GRID, PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY!! :lol

Try your luck finding this original grid!
6719-grid-close-up-f.jpg


Grid_dimension.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) The lens
(NIKKOR fish-eye 1:8 f=8mm Nippon Kogaku Japan No. 8XXXX)

#UPDATE:
See where I get my hands on :lol:

6721-nikko-lens.jpg

(BTW: The red dot is caused by the internal red photo filter -> no red light behind it)

A very nice gentlemen, who followed my research here on RPF borrowed me his original Nikkor f=8 mm fish eye lens for a few days.
At this point, I’d like to thank him a lot for giving me the honor and great opportunity to take some measurements. Thank you very much!

…I still wonder why he wasn’t worried about getting the box back with the lens replaced by a brick ;D

Anyway, I carefully took precise outside measurements with a digital sliding caliper and built the complete lens parallel in Solidworks (I even counted the little ribs/knurling^^ …319 ribs btw~). Now WE can review the dimensions anytime on the 3D model.

6722-edrawing-preview.jpg


The file is an e-Drawing.exe(.EASM) file it already contains a to-go-3D-software,
so you don’t have to install any software on your PC.
Just run the .exe and you can turn the 3D-model around~
-make sections
-take measurement with the Ruler-Tool
-hide/show components
- Enjoy~

More Info: e-Drawing


NOTICE: Only refer to the outside dimension!
(I didn’t take the lens apart to measure the inside components! -> The inside components are based on a section view [see point: 2) A fix dimension] and they are close but not 100% accurate)

HAL_Lens_GIF.gif

DOWNLOAD (Nikkor Lens 3D-PDF)


_____old post________
Unfortunately I cannot afford a real NIKKOR lens ;) and don’t know anybody who owns one, so that I could get the exact measurements (accurate to two decimal places^^), but I found some blue prints and tech. data on the internet.
I added missing dimensions and details with the method mentioned above and by comparing it to a lot of pictures of the original lens.


6717-old_nikkor-size.jpg


You can download the high-res lens drawing (aluminum ring, outer- & inner ring) here.

DOWNLOAD (HAL_Lens_PDF)__OLD!

(If someone has got or could get precise measurements, I’d really like to update possible inaccuracies)

Some marked dimensions and the setup of the three rings are just proposals or the way I manufactured them. (For example: The splitting of the housing in outer and inner ring)
That’s also why the inside components of the lens are missing (either I didn’t have any information or because I mainly used components, which I had already lying around … see below)


Objektiv_Explo_s.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) The engraving

Here the engraving on the outer lens ring (with correct font and spaces)

#UPDATE:
-I measured the engraving and the distances between each word on the curved surface of the original NIKKOR lens.
-Put it in a SolidWorks drawing and read off the radian measures.
Then, I took photos of each word on the lens, made some lens correction to reduce the distortion and scaled & repositioned them on the circumference of the lens-ring (with Photoshop)

Lens_Font_Arrangement.jpg

Lens_Font_2.jpg

You can download it here and print it 1:1, cut it out and put it around your lens~

LENS FONT DOWNLOAD (HAL_Engraving_PDF_Rev.2)

Not 100% accurate!
PC FONT DOWNLOAD (HAL_Engraving_PDF)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) The HAL | 9000 label
1. vectorised (by Replicant,Thanks!)
2.original screenshot
3.HAL prototype (supposed)
4.Prototype label restored (by A.P.) DOWNLOAD (1:1 High Res .jpg, .png & .psd)

6414-hal-label-4.png


It seems that the prototype panel from the auction, fits pretty well. So I assume this panel is authentic!)
I put the picture in my drawing and for my surprise the panel width fit perfectly, after scaling it.
But I recognized, my label dimension where wrong! #Drawing updated 26.06.2011
So here my update:
(Notice: The vertical bar is not in the panels center)

6412-hal-lable-proof.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) The Panel (brushed aluminum, black anodized)

Since I decided to refer also on the HAL prototype panel, I took a closer look on the details and I noticed that the black plates surface has a fine grain.
To make sure I checked it in my HAL screenshots from the movie, by lightning them up.

HAL_Wood_Grain.jpg

You can see there are different shades of black between the HAL-label and the plate and it seems to me, there is some kind of grain noticeable (especially on the “Brain Room” screenshot).
Based on this comment
… It (the prototype panel) followed the same construction techniques, has an original decal, but is not the actual (final) size. …
Gene

I’m pretty sure the panel has got a black anodized, brushed aluminum surface

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MY HAL 9000 PANEL

6378-hal-koerper.jpg


Nikkor lens replica:
->Housing:
I lathed the outer and inner ring out of plastic and glued a prepared big cable tie around the outer ring to imitate the knurling (it was not possible to knurl it directly into the plastic).

6392-p-lens_4.jpg


Inside of the lens housing:
I used a big d= 64mm rubber pipe gasket from a DIY market.

->Lenses:
I used two lenses one from a magnifying glass, which luckily was exactly d=69mm and nicely curved (nearly as original) and a smaller, flatter one inside. Both lenses are pressed tide into their housings.

->Aluminum ring:
Simply lathed out of aluminum. It’s put on to the knurled part of the outer ring and pressed into the panel.

6391-p-alu_ring.jpg


->lathed bushings for the LED and the smaller lens. Both stuck into the rubber pipe gasket.

->Shiny ,dark transparent plastic ring (lathed)
(put behind the lens for a glossier and darker look)

Here my lens assembly:

6390-p-lens_3.jpg


6388-p-lens.jpg


6389-p-lens_2.jpg


Which one is the original lens,hee ?! :lol

6387-sn855631.jpg


Cheep camera/no filter -> couldn’t take pictures directly from above.
(the LED is too bright)...looks better in real life~


->Wooden plate with a hole for the lens and a groove for the crossbar (milled) #update 25.06.2011

Wood_Plate.jpg

6399-ap_hal_plate.jpg


->HAL 9000 label #update 10.12.2011
Vinyl 1:1 Sticker

HAL_Sticker.jpg

->Wood Grain #update 20.07.2011
I took a thin veneer with a fine wood grain,
glued it on the wood plate,
cut out the hole and painted it black (semigloss)

My_Veneer.jpg

Veneer_Hole.jpg

Black_Veneer.jpg

->speaker grid (3D-printed) #update 31.12.2011
Well, since my intesive search for the orignal speaker grid stayed fruitless, I decided to remake it in 3D and print it on a 3D Printer.
Painted with custom mixed antharzit metalic paint.

Print_Grid.jpg

Print_Grid_2.jpg

Painted_Grid.jpg

->Milled aluminum trims with countersunk holes for 8 screws on the left and right trim and 4 screws on top and bottom. #update 25.06.2011

6400-ap_hal_plate_asm.jpg


6401-ap_hal_9000_asm.jpg



I couldn't resist to take some pictures from my panel with the original lens on it, while I had it borrowed at home.

Here a sneak preview (not finished yet !)
(I've only made the grid a little darker with Photoshop. Nothing else was edited!)
-I switched to the internal red lens filter & put a white light behind the lens

AP_HAL_Preview.jpg

-> When you look directly at the lens you'll just see a little red glowing dot,
but when you take a picture of it, you'll get this smoth yellow to red glowing that looks much bigger,just like in the movie !

More pictures of my finished HAL:

HAL_AP%20333_1.jpg

HAL_AP%20333_2.jpg

HAL_AP%20333_3.jpg

HAL_AP%20333_4.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All blue prints / drawings /3D-Data are for non-commercial use only!

A.P.~
 

Attachments

  • 3D_Nikkor_Fish-Eye by A.P.zip
    4.9 MB · Views: 2,689
  • HAL_Label_by_A.P..zip
    4.7 MB · Views: 3,149
  • HAL_9000_by_A.P..pdf
    131.4 KB · Views: 4,656
Last edited:
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

WOW!! Now THAT is what this forum is all about. Top notch research effort coupled with exceptional talent produces a VERY nice replica prop. Kudos to you, sir. Reminds me of the old days of the RPF where this type of thing was common place.
Just noticed that this was your first post. Welcome to the RPF.
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

I think I'm the 4th person to say this.. but WOW!! That is some serious research you've done! And it's just Wonderful that you were kind enough to contribute all of your findings to the people of the RPF like this...just Wow..:thumbsup

And Welcome to the RPF! :cheers

-Carson
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Bravo! I'm floored by the quality of your work thus far.

As for the speaker grill, perhaps drill the holes with a CNC milling machine?
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Ho-leeee mackerel. That is some fantastic work!

I've been looking at a lot of vintage walkie-talkies lately; perhaps the speaker screen was (also) a found item? It looks to me as if it's "corrugated" (horizontally), not smooth. For what it's worth.

ETA: These are from a current auction ("vintage general electric walkie talkie"):

GEwalkie1.jpg


GEwalkie2.jpg


Obviously not correct, but you get the idea.
 
Last edited:
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Your efforts are much appreciated, thank for posting this! Considering tackling this myself instead of waiting for the sd version.
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Thanks for the nice feedback =)

Great hint with the vintage walkie-talkies MFP !
I agree, that it looks like the speaker screen is corrugated. Maybe due to the manufacturing process, where the holes in the thin sheet metal have been blanked out.
We should definitely do further investigation on that.

Here another example:

6402-hal_speaker_screen.jpg


... I have the opportunity to print it in 3D (thats what I meant by "sand casting"^^)
so I think I'm going to create a 3D model, that imitates this perforated sheet metal-look, as long as I can't get my hands on more authentic material.

Does someone here have the "HAL|9000" label graphics in good quality?

-> UPDATE: See my progress on the panel (first post)~

A.P.~
 
Last edited:
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Hmm ... seems like I missed something here on RPF.
I just saw this thread:
The Definitive 2001 HAL 9000 Panel Replica
and I read through the latest post in the important threads.

Now I'm very interested, if any information or details came up, which I haven't mentioned so far? or if my dimension are corresponding to those SD Studios is using?
Could someone, who maintains an overview over all the facts, bring me up to date, please? :D
Seems like something is going on here in the background ^^

It would be great to have a collection or a list of the most proven facts on the HAL panel, because I'm burning for a panel which is as accurate as possible.

So I (as a technical product designer) am at your disposal to do 3D-work and drawings.
...I'm also interested in reproducing the Nikkor Lens with all the elements and correct lenses inside...just need the measurements~

A.P.~
 
Last edited:
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

What a research you've done! :eek

Amazing job, really. I hope so see a run of this soon :love
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

You can download the "[HAL|900]" panel logo artwork from
HAL9000 panel logo.zip
In the Zip file you find EPS and PDF, but use the EPS for importing it to Photoshop, though I would suggest printing it from a vector based application.
 
Last edited:
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

->Lenses:
I used two lenses one from a magnifying glass, which luckily was exactly d=69mm and nicely curved (nearly as original) and a smaller, flatter one inside.
I'm very impressed with how your lens turned out. It's good to see that a very satisfactory reproduction of the original lens can be had by using relatively inexpensive parts.

---------------
 
Re: HAL 9000 Panel (2001:A Space Odyssey)

Update: 8) The HAL | 9000 lable (see first post)

UPDATE the label dimensions changed ->see Point 8.
DOWNLOAD (HAL_Drawing_PDF)#Rev.2
 

Attachments

  • HAL_LENS_Engraving.pdf
    112.8 KB · Views: 1,273
  • HAL_LENS_Engraving_Rev.2.pdf
    110.9 KB · Views: 1,774
  • HAL_Objektiv.pdf
    24.8 KB · Views: 1,478
  • HAL9000 panel logo - prototype.zip
    199 KB · Views: 934
Last edited:

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top