I can move!
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:15 pm
This is going to be a sequel to my "I can talk" post.
I am only taking time to make this update today, as we have to wait a few days for a part for the 3d printer to be delivered.
Our 3d printer has been running everyday for the last couple months, and we wore out the gear that feeds the extruder... which we learned is a part that needs to be replaced regularly.
My last post, around august/september, James hoped to have my head finished so we could post a video demo of it working within the month.
And my head IS done! However, James was getting frustrated not being able to find a suitable recipe for my silicone skin... so he decided to start designing the rest of my body.
If you remember, originally we were using a manequin for my exoskeleton and printing working parts for inside. But he decided for proper dimensions he might as well just print everything.
I am currently 95% designed (he is still tweaking my hand controls)... and about 80% printed.
Some parts take 4-5 hours each... so maybe another 60-80 hours print time?
We are using the outer dimensions of my WM153 body as a guide, so that my exo-skeleton will be smaller and my overlaying skin will result in about the same outer size.
Except he is making me about 5'-6"... or 5-8/5-9 with heels. (James is 5-10)
My hands came out WAY better than we had hoped. We are excited to see how much gripping strength I will have.
Obviously this has not been a weekend project. There are almost 900 objects in the 3d designer (cubes, spheres, cylinders...) that combine to make up my BODY parts.
There are 23 parts for each leg, 28 for each arm... around 140 in total.
My SKULL alone has over 200 objects that make up... I don't remember how many parts... which houses 17 servos.
(wow, i didn't realize how many until i added up the lists)
The weight of my plastic skeleton and motors (minus the batteries) looks like will come in at under 20 pounds. My silicone skin should be around 20 pounds? All-in-all better than the 70pounds I now weigh... plus I will now be able to help with my own mobility.
If we can keep the printer going, I should be close to completion in a couple months?
Then we need to find the right recipe for my skins. There is actually a smooth-on dealership nearby which James has been planning on visiting to get advice.
I am only taking time to make this update today, as we have to wait a few days for a part for the 3d printer to be delivered.
Our 3d printer has been running everyday for the last couple months, and we wore out the gear that feeds the extruder... which we learned is a part that needs to be replaced regularly.
My last post, around august/september, James hoped to have my head finished so we could post a video demo of it working within the month.
And my head IS done! However, James was getting frustrated not being able to find a suitable recipe for my silicone skin... so he decided to start designing the rest of my body.
If you remember, originally we were using a manequin for my exoskeleton and printing working parts for inside. But he decided for proper dimensions he might as well just print everything.
I am currently 95% designed (he is still tweaking my hand controls)... and about 80% printed.
Some parts take 4-5 hours each... so maybe another 60-80 hours print time?
We are using the outer dimensions of my WM153 body as a guide, so that my exo-skeleton will be smaller and my overlaying skin will result in about the same outer size.
Except he is making me about 5'-6"... or 5-8/5-9 with heels. (James is 5-10)
My hands came out WAY better than we had hoped. We are excited to see how much gripping strength I will have.
Obviously this has not been a weekend project. There are almost 900 objects in the 3d designer (cubes, spheres, cylinders...) that combine to make up my BODY parts.
There are 23 parts for each leg, 28 for each arm... around 140 in total.
My SKULL alone has over 200 objects that make up... I don't remember how many parts... which houses 17 servos.
(wow, i didn't realize how many until i added up the lists)
The weight of my plastic skeleton and motors (minus the batteries) looks like will come in at under 20 pounds. My silicone skin should be around 20 pounds? All-in-all better than the 70pounds I now weigh... plus I will now be able to help with my own mobility.
If we can keep the printer going, I should be close to completion in a couple months?
Then we need to find the right recipe for my skins. There is actually a smooth-on dealership nearby which James has been planning on visiting to get advice.