My 3 axis skull...in progress

589525 Views 2217 Replies 203 Participants Last post by HalloweenBob, 10 mo ago

HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2007

2

I have a couple of pictures of my prototype. I will take a bunch of new pictures as I make the other three skulls, but this should give you an idea of what I am doing.

I am making a singing quartet based on (That means idea stolen from) Mike C's Graveyard Quartet. Ever since I saw his video I couldn't get it out of my head.

A neighbor of mine with a machine shop has helped me with the prototype, machining some of the parts I needed, and helping with the design.

I have been using the prototype to do some programming to make sure it all works with Brookshire's VSA software. So far, so good. I will post detailed pics of every step as I start making more skulls, but for now, here's a couple of basic shots with labels on them.

The Jaw servo was not mounted yet in this pic. It is in now. You can see the mounting screws and the linkage wire in the pic. The servo mounts standing up on end. I will add pictures of that later. The eyelid servo is mounted under the plexi-glass. That one is not hooked up yet, but when it is, it will be attached to one of the eyeballs...I am using wooden balls for eyes. It will move it up and down, not side to side. The purpose is to make it appear that it is blinking. I have large fake eyelases that will be attached to the eyeballs. When the eye is moved down, it appears to be closing as the top eyelid moves down with it. In the pic below, you can see the slot cut in the eye socket where the armature will go to move the eyeball. Don't worry, I will post pictures of that as well. I am using a 3/16 rod end as the gimbal which allows movement in all directions. When I build the next one, I will have clear shots of that as well.

Feel free to ask questions, and I will answer as best I can. I now have it hooked up to VSA and it is working very well. I am using the lightweight Pirate Skull and so I do not need springs, elastics or counterweights.

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Reactions: 5

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HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · #101 · Aug 17, 2007

Glad to have inspired you. This thread is a result of me being inspired by others here and their work.

Have never thought of using the parts from a CD rom drive, but it sounds do-able. You should be able to use larger components without any trouble. Please post pics and let us know how it is coming along.

Rooey

· #102 · Aug 17, 2007

Also, as an FYI to you all. I have stumbled on a neat little site for renting specialty videos. It works similar to NetFlix, but is focused more on educational videos. Subjects include welding, sculpting, molding and casting, Special Effects, etc... it is SmartFlix dot com. The titles are usually about $9.99 to rent, but considering that most of the titles are between $20-$50 and up when purchasing, it's a bargain.

I wanted to learn about the casting and molding just in case I need to create a custom piece out of clay or wood, but want to cast it in resin, or be able to reproduce more quantities.

Rooey

· #103 · Aug 17, 2007

Sorry to be a Board Hog.... Here's a picture of the CDROM drive motor I mentioned....

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bw1

· #104 · Aug 18, 2007

If you are doing a skull you already have a servo controller. You will save yourself a lot of time and effort if you stick with servos. Servo City has some very small ones in sub-micro catagory. check out http://www.servocity.com/html/hs-55_sub-micro.html
or http://www.servocity.com/html/hs-45hb_premium_feather.html either one should be able to move the eyes without any problem.

twistedvisions68

· #105 · Aug 19, 2007

Beveled Faucet Washer

just a note: if any one needs a Beveled Washer, look here. this would work for the top and they are made of super hard rubber and should work great. I know they make a teflon one to an any size but Ill have to look for it.

just a bit of info that might help some one out they also make Beveled metal grommets too will look for likes

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-286-faucet-washers.aspx

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:JsLb0gDD05AtQM:http://www.jespares.com/catalog

http://sth2.com/Z-car/cone-washer.jpg

google Cone Washer

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azspecter

· #106 · Aug 19, 2007

Bob-
Any chance on you posting a template for that new bracket you made? It's the one that holds the rod end...
Thanks!

HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · #107 · Aug 23, 2007

I will try to make a template for the bracket. They are all mounted and inside skulls now, but I'll see what I can do.

Sorry I didn't see this posting until now.

I have just made a new video showing all 4 skulls doing the song together.

It is going up on YouTube. I'll post the link as soon as it's up there.

Dr Morbius

· #108 · Aug 23, 2007

twistedvisions68 said:
just a note: if any one needs a Beveled Washer, look here. this would work for the top and they are made of super hard rubber and should work great. I know they make a teflon one to an any size but Ill have to look for it.

just a bit of info that might help some one out they also make Beveled metal grommets too will look for likes

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-286-faucet-washers.aspx

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:JsLb0gDD05AtQM:http://www.jespares.com/catalog

http://sth2.com/Z-car/cone-washer.jpg

google Cone Washer

HA! I knew they existed somewhere..I saw one somewhere before. Thanks TD for posting that...I might also add that you could use two..one for the bottom and one for the top, sandwiched between two nuts (no jokes!! LOL!) on a straight 1/4" threaded rod. No machining needed at all!

HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · #109 · Aug 23, 2007

Good find on the beveled washers. You will still need to drill and tap the hole in the top of the rod. Not sure if that counts as machining....

Anyway, here is the YouTube Video of my four skulls working together:

YouTube - My 3 axis skull quartet.

Sorry about the quality. It's from a laptop with a webcam. But you get the idea. The skull all the way on the right is the lead singer. The eyes are in and they blink, but you can't tell from the video. Still need to paint them and add eyelashes.

Oh, and here is the template for the bracket that I made. Print it out and make sure that the ruler in the picture is actual size. If so, the template will be actual size. The white lines at the bottom just above the feet show you where to bend the steel at 90 degrees.

TEMPLATE

HalloweenCouple

· #110 · Aug 23, 2007

thats awesome bob!

LV Scott T

· #111 · Aug 23, 2007

Bravo, Bob! You're an inspiration to us all!

buckaneerbabe

· #112 · Aug 23, 2007

Wow, I think all your hard work really paid off. Those are just awesome!!!! What are you using for bodies? Buckies or a frame? I can't wait to see them all dressed up the the big night.

HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · #113 · Aug 23, 2007

I am using both, actually. The lead singer is a girl, so I have a nice black velevt and sequen dress for her as well as a wig. Since the dress has a low neckline, see through sleeves and goes down to the knees, I have a complete bucky skeleton for her.

The guys will just be frames as they will be dressed in tuxes. I do have bucky hands for each of them, however.

I am open to frame designs, and still need to figure out how to attach the girl skull to the bucky body and make it good and secure.

Evil Bob

· #114 · Aug 23, 2007

Yeah I was wondering that for mine. Thank heavens for Bondo.

buckaneerbabe

· #115 · Aug 23, 2007

Sounds very formal. Are we all invited too?

Dr Morbius

· #116 · Aug 23, 2007

Is there such a thing as a reducer coupler for threaded rods? You could attach it that way to the bucky skelly. Very nice, Bob. No, nice isn't the right word...spectacular. Yes, that's it. VERY SPECTACULAR! One question..those skulls look far apart. Did you splice in longer wires for the servos? How do they all reach the servo controller board? Do you have a pic for the wiring?

HalloweenBob

Discussion Starter · #117 · Aug 23, 2007

Right now, I just have extensions on all the servos. I bought them at ServoCity.com.

I will be cutting those up and extending them even more shortly. I will take pictures and document that process as I go along.

I have made a box for the servo controller that has 4 big jacks on it. One for each skull. That way, setup will only be connecting four plugs instead of 20 tiny servo wires.

Evil Bob

· #118 · Aug 23, 2007

HalloweenBob said:
Good find on the beveled washers. You will still need to drill and tap the hole in the top of the rod. Not sure if that counts as machining....

Anyway, here is the YouTube Video of my four skulls working together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsupmVTXk4w

Dang!! I missed this message. Excellent! Do you have any problem with overheating board or lines? That looks better than anything I've seen!

buckaneerbabe

· #119 · Aug 23, 2007

Dr M, I found a reducing coupler for my skull to a bucky body. I Found a 5/16" to 1/4", at McMaster-Carr, item #97088A190.

Dr Morbius

· #120 · Aug 23, 2007

buckaneerbabe said:
Dr M, I found a reducing coupler for my skull to a bucky body. I Found a 5/16" to 1/4", at McMaster-Carr, item #97088A190.

AWSOME BB!!! That's exactly what I need! Thank you

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