Wrist blade mechanism using an old CD-ROM mechanism

[Elkman]

I got the idea to build a motorized mechanism to extend and retract the wrist blades using old computer parts. I initially tried to do it using parts from an old inkjet printer, but that didn't work out all that well. So, my friend Paul let me take apart some old, dead CD-ROM drives that he had laying around. The tray eject motor and its gearing work well to propel the blade out reasonably fast, and the teeth on the bottom of the tray provide the track for the motor to work against.

So, here's my gauntlet, showing the track on the top. I've actually mounted the teeth from two CD-ROM drives so it'd have enough forward/backward range.

Here's another picture with the track and the wrist blades. I took the motor and gearing out of the CD-ROM drive and mounted them on a block between the blades. The motor moves with the blades, while the track stays fixed.

And here's the result, with the wrist blades extended.

(Oh, and when I say CD-ROM, they could have been dead CD-RW, DVD-ROM, or DVD-RW drives. I forgot what was what after I finished whomping on Paul's pile of old, dead electronics. )

 

[predator666]

Looks very promising mate but a video would definitely help show us how good it moves

 

[MasterAnubis]

Excellent! Very slick.

Those blades are from MacGuyvers, right?

I know those little motors can be quick. Did you get some good speed out of it, or does it move at a tray speed?

 

[MotoGuy75]

That is a really cool idea,a video would be neat to see.

Daren

 

[Elkman]

Ask and you shall receive

Here's the video from YouTube.

As far as the blades go, I used a template from this thread to cut them out of Plexiglas. I think they are the Macguyver style, though I don't remember exactly.

 

[MasterAnubis]

As far as the blades go, I used a template from this thread to cut them out of Plexiglas. I think they are the Macguyver style, though I don't remember exactly.

Great, thanks for the vid...

My son and I had a laugh when he pointed out that 3 of the related videos where mine (FordFastback).

Anyway, if you haven't seen MacGuyvers blades, he back lit them with a blue LED. alphatech686 has his gauntlet pics in that thread also. But he's got a cocking mechanism that is similar in function to mine.
http://www.thehunterslair.com/index.php?showtopic=2956

 

[AlienatedPredator]

Great idea dude, im very impressed. Thats a new one lol

 

[MotoGuy75]

Thanks for the youtube video,really impressive.I do have a question about your wrist blades.What thickness of plexiglass did you use?And about how long are they?

thanks,Daren

 

[Elkman]

The Plexiglas is 1/4 inch thick, and the blades are about 16 inches long plus the amount required to attach them to the white block.

 

[lordderak]

thats great work man...impressive

 

[SithLord66]

Nice work, I cant wait to see it finished. I have a set of MacGuyvers blades that would work great in this. Your youtube videos are a hoot by the way. .'.

 

[Elkman]

I finished the top half of the sculpt last week, and I did the casting over the weekend. Here's how it all turned out:

I haven't painted it yet, as you can tell. I think it turned out good, though wiring the actuator switches to the motor mechanism has been a bit of a pain. I think it'll make a rather lethal impression when I show it off on stage, though.

 

[MotoGuy75]

That looks way cool.I have another question about your wrist blades?Do they taper at the tops and bottom?Also where the blades have the notches,are they tapered there as well?I have been trying various methods to make a set and have been running into a wall,and yours turned out really cool.

Thanks,Daren

 

[SithLord66]

Awesome job! Is this going to be activated by a button or switch attached on the hand? O'yea I sent you a PM too. .'.

 

[Elkman]

The blades are tapered at a 45 degree angle on both the top and bottom. I used my Dremel tool with a cutting tool to cut the original blade shape out of the Plexiglas, then used it as a router with a different cutting tool to cut the 45 degree angles on the edges of the blade. (It also gave me a good excuse to go to Home Depot to get the Dremel drill press.) I had to kind of shift things around a bit to do the routing inside the notches, but it worked out.

As far as activating it goes, I'm putting two pushbuttons on the top of the gauntlet to operate the blade -- one to extend the blade and one to retract it. I also have a couple limit switches in there to cut off the power when the blade is fully extended or fully retracted.

I'll get to the PMs later this morning.

 

[Naasad Tal]

great Idea man...now I know what to do with the dead computers I have laying around my house LOL. I thought that they might be slow as the most computers CD ROM trays kinda move slow, but in the video it looks like there's no slowing these bad boys down. what kinda power source are you using?

 

[carlart]

Very Nice!

 

[Bovine13]

Nice work! Nice use of materials and the unit looks and works great.

 

[TuaCathach]

very very cool

 

[UNSC Hunter]

I have tosay it looks pretty nice and I love the Idea of using CD-ROM mechanisms