My 3 axis skull...in progress - Page 36

gym_ghost · #**351** (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 02:24 PM

CaptnJackSparrow,
The 10-32 x 3/16 rod bearing works nicely. Small and easy to adjust. Going any bigger is going to increase the sizes of some other components (the rod axis and the rod end height holes on the servo bracket.) And now the area for movement gets smaller. Luckily, the axis rod has absolutely no bearing with the weight of the skull. And keep in mind, all rod ends have an angle of movement and it’s pretty much universal. We originally went with aluminum for it was easier to machine and thread on our NC Lathe. When we originally did it with steel, we went through about ten 4-40 taps. And scrapped about 30 rod axis. We calculated the aluminum rod to handle about 65 lbs. Some how we screwed up on our engineering calculations. Regardless, steel parts will be cheaper and work much better and it should support about 300 lbs.

Also, we purchased 500 10-32 x 3/16 rod ends and must use them.

CaptnJackSparrow · #**352** (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 05:05 PM

Hi Joel,

ok, was thinking that the larger diam. rod (maytbe even all-thread) would be able to take the shaking/weight having a larger core than the thinner 3/16" rod... Waiting with baited breath on the rod and bracket

Thanks again for all you do!

TJ

gym_ghost · #**353** (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 06:49 PM

How many plates did you get? And do they fit your skulls? And what type of skulls? Sorry for all the questions... just making sure we do it right this time.

Thanks
Graveyardmadness

CaptnJackSparrow · #**354** (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 08:09 PM

I got the two plates couple weeks ago. I using a Bucky skull from Cowlicious.com. The plate's a little loose in it. I'm going to put small nylon washers between the edge of the servo plate and the skull to make it snug and once its drilled and screws installed it'll be a solid fit. The Cowlicious skull kit was a single jaw servo only, but the plate'll work fine. I'm waiting for the after-sales to pick up a bunch more skulls and full buckys.

TJ
(formerly skygodtj)

CaptnJackSparrow · #**355** (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 07:45 AM

For HalloweenBob.. HB, I know the quartet has moved on (sniff sniff) but re-reading thru all the posts from the beginning, did you switch swivel bearings once, or twice? The first bearing I see was page 1, post #6, part #2458K111($4.97) from McMaster, then on page 2, post# 50, you list part #59915K271($9.. that came from the "bend skull with heatgun" mod).. reading more, on page 3 when you switched to the A-frame pivot, (post #94).. is that the second swivel bearing? With a Zerk(greasegun) fitting? Before I got to pg 2(the second swivel) I ordered the first part number

Is there much difference?

Thanks, TJ

gym_ghost · #**356** (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 10:27 AM

CaptnJackSparrow,
If you need a few rod ends, I have a few hundred in inventory (we paid $2.29 per each). Let me know and I will ship a couple out too you. I can include it with the rod and bracket that will be going out soon - no charge. (Rod's are being manufactured as we speak and should be ready for pick up next week.)

I'm glad the plates will work!

Thanks
Graveyardmadness

CaptnJackSparrow · #**357** (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 11:58 AM

That'd be excellent!! Thanks GG!! Other than those for the lexan plates and brackets that were rejects, you'll be "mass-producing" ...if 50 or so is a mass

... machined rods and brackets for haunters to buy? 'Would sorta be like buying finished parts to make our own skulltronics skulls?

What I'm planning for some of my skulls.. I made up a bunch of 3-servo only Cat5 cables using this wiring plan for 2-axis only(rotate/nod/jaw):

Solid color wires = servo control(pulse)
Bright striped (grn striped/org striped) wires = B+ (POS)
Dark striped (blu/brwn) = B- (GND)

I cut the end off a 6' Cat5 cable, split the colors as above, soldered each:

servo's yellow(pulse) to a solid color...
servo's red(B+) to the grn/org striped pair
servo's black(GND) to the blu/brwn striped pair.

The solid brown is spare right now but is open for adding the 4th servo anytime. Can also be used to power LED eyes! The snipped end from the servo goes into the controller box. For extra controller servo sockets I am using CD audio plugs.. I have a lot from old computers, just move the outside wire next to the other two and it goes on perfrctly.

Soldering one end of the Cat5 to the servos leaves the other plug end intact, so it can plug straight into the controller socket, or into a Cat5 cable coupler to lengthen the run. If I think I will need it longer, I can use a 25' Cat5 cable. The sockets will have all the control wires punched into the left side of the socket, and the B+ and GND on the right side of the socket..

Each skull will have the same setup, a lexan plate, swivel/rod end and mounting area for the 4th servo(tilt). Why just 3 servos? Cost mainly.. but 4th can be added anytime..

I'm also goin to have abt a dozen bluckys either with the bucky skulls, or just a pan-in-the-neck servo

so it will look around the yard for now.. Will be better than just having him stare straight ahead.

TJ

gym_ghost · #**358** (**permalink**) 01-18-2008, 01:15 PM

parts for sale... NAH ;-) Mass producing 50 skulls... hmmm... kind of low.

At this time, were glad the rejected material can be used. I would hate to have thrown it all away. Some good news with first turn arounds - our third NC machine goes online Monday so we will be doing more prototype and production runs...

More material to be coming soon!!!

CaptnJackSparrow · #**359** (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 02:36 PM

G_G... you arrrrrrr funding all this urself, and even tho they arrrrrr rejects, you arrrrrr still paying for shipping all this out, can we send something to help this 'research'.. seems only fair to us.. or at least me anyway

If you do have enough, I could use 6-8 rod ends for some bluckys I'm trying to build for distantly-viewed props...

I figured out some very easy obtainable tapered spacers... plumbing compression sleeves! These are $1.40/per bag of 24 at HD. I also bought a bag of 10 plastic compression sleeves to try but I thot that the brass would be stronger. Only limitation is that 1/4" OD is the smallest HD had.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Build update...

the plate for the bucky fits very well, I only had to flatten the front of the inside of the skull so the plate would sit flat. The screws secure the plate inside, level with the back of the skull, and just less than an inch below the front of the skull. I have the jaw servo to install, fit a pivot bracket, the servo arms and this test bed skull is finished..

teege

gym_ghost · #**360** (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 03:03 PM

CaptJack,
My philispohy about this whole thing is if someone else can use them - let them use them. Its not about money - its about having fun and learning at the same time. Plus, we make enough money selling other props and such. Keep in mind, to most of us, this is a hobby and not a full time gig (yet). I am just a regular haunter like you!

I'm, no, WE, are all excited that our material can be used elsewhere. And the reward will be to see the finish products up and running.

I will ship you 8 rodends, 6 more servo plates, 8 brackets, and 8 rods - all meeting our quality standards. Just keep posting pictures of your work so all can learn.

Again, they will be going out early Feb.

I am glad to see the rejected plates are working. I have received a few nice emails.