Scratch Built Baseline Scanner - Blade Runner 2049

[zenx13]

When I first saw Blade Runner 2049 I wanted to try to make the Baseline Scanner but sadly never found the time. I just finished a personal project and instead of going over to one of my unfinished ones I decided to start another... again (is this a disease?).

I want to thank others here on the RPF who have tried this previously and provided reference photos and schematics to help with sizing.

I started with some detailed photos and plans:

I work with XPS Insulation Foam as my main material - next was to cut out some templates and apply them to the foam. Carefully cut them out, sand everything to the correct size and add bevels to the two lens pieces:

That is the progress so far - hope to have some more soon.

 

[joberg]

So far so good. How do you plan to finish the foam?

 

[zenx13]

So far so good. How do you plan to finish the foam?

Cheers! Same as I have in the past on other projects - putty where needed and some really good coats of mod podge (harder version). Then some primer and sanding - if all is looking good I can spray paint.

 

[zenx13]

A little more work completed today - I constructed the scanner rack portion. Nothing has been glued together yet - everything is just dryfit.

 

[zenx13]

Worked on the "scanner head" portion of the project today:

Making a "guide template" out of thin MDF to use to cut the master from the insulation foam:

Guide template taped down to the foam block and cutting the master with my Proxxon Hot Wire Table:

Master cut and beveled edges roughed in. It will need putty and sanding at a later date - just working on the rough shapes right now:

All the rough pieces complete so far:

OVERVIEW:

I am really happy with the progress so far and pleased I took the time to make the guide template as it really helped out in cutting the master. Next step is to work on the second piece of the "scanner head" - I hope to get to it soon.

I hope you are enjoying the build so far - thanks for the support. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers!
/sean

 

[JamesM242]

Great progress! Thanks for sharing your build!

 

[joberg]

Very good result I usually make my cutting patterns with heavy quality cardboard...I might try your way with the MDF

 

[zenx13]

Great progress! Thanks for sharing your build!

Thanks James - I am really happy with the progress so far. I have had some spare time this week and am making the most of it!

 

[zenx13]

Very good result I usually make my cutting patterns with heavy quality cardboard...I might try your way with the MDF

Cheers! Since I use the Proxxon Hot Wire Table a lot I have found "she" like the feel of MDF over cardstock - she is a finicky mistress!!

 

[zenx13]

Top section the "scanner head" was the focus today:

OVERVIEW:

I didn't have a lot of time today so I was pleased when this came together so well! The thin oval top facia was cut by hand with an X-acto knife and is fairly straight!

The whole project is going to require filler and primer at a later stage but I am pleased with the general base pieces.

Next step will be the vertical, 1/2 round lens - not sure if I will look for some 1/2 round material or just make it out of foam? Then onto the "contour" cutting of the bottom of the scanner head to fit into the tray.

 

[joberg]

Well, that's really good looking already

 

[zenx13]

Well, that's really good looking already

Thanks! It is getting there - the beauty of working in foam is seeing fast results.

 

[zenx13]

Been Awhile...

Well - after a few busy weeks on client work I was able to get back to this build. I hadn't been able to find any 1/2 round product that would work so (as per usual) I had to manufacture my own piece.

Cut a blank out of milled down XPS Foam and test fit it in the opening of the scanner:

Once the blank was made and fitting well I took my time carefully sanding it into a 1/2 round piece:

I was really pleased with the results! Here are some photos of the scanning bar dry fitted in the rest of the build:

OVERVIEW:

Being busy and not having time to work on the project did give me a lot of time to think about it! When I came to actually do the work the build went pretty quickly!

 

[zenx13]

2 In One Day!

Everything went so well with the scanning lens (last post) I had time to work on cutting the contour area out of the bottom of the scanner head so it will fit onto the tray area.

I traced the outline of the tray onto the scanner head as a guide:

Next - I made a jig out of thin MDF and taped it into place on the scanner head. The "cut-away" area is the product I don't need so there is some safety in not damaging the scanner head piece. I used my Proxxon Hot Wire Table to carefully cut away the area I didn't need:

Here is the scanner head sitting on the tray!

OVERVIEW:

Super happy with how this stage went! Again - I spent a lot of time thinking about it and was really proud I didn't cut it freehand but instead took the time to make a jig (progress for me).

Next step will be to work on the lenses and light - I have already gathered some size correct "googly eyes" (a tip I read about on the forum) and I am excited for the next part! Hopefully it won't be such a long wait this time.

 

[joberg]

Real nice

 

[zenx13]

Real nice

Real nice

Thanks - I appreciate the support!!