Thread: Another 3-axis skull

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I started working on a talking skull design last year that didn't get finished. I am trying to finish it for this year. My main goal was to be able to take the skull off of a bucky skeleton and modify it and place it back on the skeleton and have it work as a 3-axis talking skull.

The bucky has a 5/16" rod that goes through the top of the skull and threads on a knob that has a hook for hanging. My idea was to remove the skull and cut the rod down about 4 inches and rethread it using a 5/16" die. Then I bought a 1 1/2" teflon ball from mcmasters and bored a hole in it and slid it on the rod resting on the top of the spine. I sanded the bottom hole of the skull smooth so it fit on the ball. You can see the concept on my test board which has a 5/16" rod with a treaded end on a piece of plywood. I use the PVC pipe as the spine.



I then connected a couple of springs to a eye hook to balance the skull.



I decided to use HalloweenBob's servo layout and mounting technique.



I plan to use a EFX-TEK Prop2 (or SX) and Vixen sofwared along with a uMP3 from Roge Robotics for audio. The hardware will be mounted in a sealed plastic box in the ribcage. The entire setup will be self contained except the power supply and speaker wires.

I will post more when I get further along.

Jeff

Thank you for the huge pics. I will comment more when my monitor reaches the other side.

Vixen runs servos? I didnt know that, I only use it for lighting...

I like the concept. Keep us posted with your progress.....

Neat! How do you get the skull using that design to rotate on the pipe, ans also what servos are you using?

Originally Posted by CaptnJackSparrow

Vixen runs servos? I didnt know that, I only use it for lighting...

Captn,

Yes, but so-far only with the Efx-Tek boards or the build-it yourself 8 servo prop board that JohnnyMac designed for his Nut & Volts mag column. You have to keep an eye on the Vixen forums and check for new drivers, they keep addin em. It would be great to see a driver for the Lynx stuff.

Originally Posted by Dr Morbius

Neat! How do you get the skull using that design to rotate on the pipe, ans also what servos are you using?

they look like Hitec but i'm not for shure

I can't wait to see how those springs work. Thank you for making the pictures smaller.

Jeff, what servos are you using?

Can you get any pictures of your mechanism onthe inside? Would be great!

The servo's are Hitec 425BB's I am using a cheap off-brand servo for the jaw. If it gives me any trouble I will grab another 425 for it.

I don't have all the linkages worked out yet and I still have to build the stationary rod for the head turn. Will post more picutures when I have more done.

Jeff