Animatronic C-3PO

[stuwin]

Thanks! Copy?

I’m also building an animatronic C3PO from Jessie’s files. I’ve been looking at a few different ideas, including the InMoov project, but this is by far the best I’ve seen.

 

[TK-326]

I’m also building an animatronic C3PO from Jessie’s files. I’ve been looking at a few different ideas, including the InMoov project, but this is by far the best I’ve seen.

Of course! I've tried to use as many off-the-shelf, easily obtainable parts so others can replicate my efforts. Once I get him working and presentable and we get through Star Wars Celebration Chicago, I plan to sit down and document everything and publish drawings and BOM's for all of the mechanical subsystems, plus the Python code for motion control and show automation and any other relevant details.

 

[mrwax]

Of course! I've tried to use as many off-the-shelf, easily obtainable parts so others can replicate my efforts. Once I get him working and presentable and we get through Star Wars Celebration Chicago, I plan to sit down and document everything and publish drawings and BOM's for all of the mechanical subsystems, plus the Python code for motion control and show automation and any other relevant details.

There's a pretty close to zero chance that I'll ever build one of these, but that is amazingly generous of you. I've really enjoyed watching your work so far!

 

[LordJossis]

Builds like this never cease to amaze me, can't wait to see it finished!

 

[stuwin]

Of course! I've tried to use as many off-the-shelf, easily obtainable parts so others can replicate my efforts. Once I get him working and presentable and we get through Star Wars Celebration Chicago, I plan to sit down and document everything and publish drawings and BOM's for all of the mechanical subsystems, plus the Python code for motion control and show automation and any other relevant details.

Wow, that's beyond awesome! Thank you!
Really excited to see it develop and can't wait to see the finished article.

 

[TK-326]

Finishing - Total Painted Surface Area

Did some math today, and found the total outer surface area of a 3D printed C-3PO is 26.273 sq ft. I needed this number to budget for catalytic primer and hydrochroming materials. I was able to glean the data using Autodesk Netfabb, thanks to a tip from Jesse Maricelli.

 

[ChickenHaunt]

This is impressive. Looking forward to your continued progress.

 

[TK-326]

Display Base - Cover

I had some sheets of 1/2" gray Delrin material so I ripped them into 11" wide planks and trimmed them to fit the aluminum extrusion base frame. The two smaller pieces in the middle are access covers so I can get to the power connectors that will be embedded in the base.

 

[TK-326]

Display Base - Cover

Next it's time to cut some holes. I drafted a generic "Star Wars Floor" perforation pattern, laid out the measurements on the material, and using a cutting jig from my Millennium Falcon Hallway set, cut the holes with a router.

 

[TK-326]

Display Base - Cover

I used translucent corrugated plastic sign material for the baffles to cover the holes. These will have strips of RGB LEDs mounted under them to provide dramatic illumination.

 

[TK-326]

Base Cover Lighting

First lighting test. I’m recycling some 12v analog RBG LED strips that I had in the shop. Curiously, most of them have non-working red channels. So, teal it is!

 

[joberg]

Fantastic job so far...question: when you'll turn the pelvis area, aren't you worried that the legs (specially the thighs at the hip) won't come loose?

 

[TK-326]

Fantastic job so far...question: when you'll turn the pelvis area, aren't you worried that the legs (specially the thighs at the hip) won't come loose?

Thanks! Great question.

Each upper leg piece (thigh) will attach to a piece of aluminum extrusion that runs from the torso mechanism down to a pivoting rod end attached to the base frame upright at about where the knee hits. This way, the legs "float" and will turn with the shorts/pelvis. See the image below for clarification. The thigh piece has been dropped out of position to show the attachment points (circled in red), and the pivoting rod ends (circled in yellow). There's a video in a previous post showing how the whole assembly pivots together.

 

[stuwin]

Chris, what are you using to control/ test the servos (pictured in your hand above). Is this something you've made? Thanks

 

[TK-326]

I use this single channel one: Robot Check

And this multi-channel one: Robot Check

 

[stuwin]

I use this single channel one: Robot Check

And this multi-channel one: Robot Check

Thanks

 

[Trooper_trent]

This is just a whole other level. I'm completely blown away by this and cannot wait to see more.
Fantastic!

 

[TK-326]

Mechanisms - Wrist

Testing wrist servos. Two DOF in each wrist.

 

[TK-326]

Mechanisms - Neck "Neckanism"

Testing the beefed-up “neckanism” with the new printed and primed head. The head isn’t mounted in its final orientation, and will be a bit lower, ultimately.

 

[TK-326]

3D Printed Body Part Shells - Hands
Mechanism - Wrist

Going with the lightweight, one-piece hands for Celebration. It’s more Star Tours accurate anyway. Rebuilt the 2-axis wrist mechanisms and added higher power servos.