Space Robots from Outer Space

[Fungi]

Here's a few pictures to prove I am working on SRFOS.

I moved my work bench, and am in the process of reorganizing the shop. Mike's sitting on the new bench. The Speeder and Bike are finished. I'm experimenting with a simple automaton mechanical assembly to assist in the animation of walking. Old school.

 

[Fungi]

I made a dual leg moving mechanism and a test stand that gets painted green. I can sync the two sides to be 180 offset in forward walking, or reverse direction to move a single leg. I just need to make the body support bar, also green, so both legs can move freely. I also made some hand tools.

 

[BarleyBop]

That's wild! You've got a full on animation studio!

 

[Littlemarten]

Your working space is almost as impressive as what you do with it!

 

[Airborne01!]

Most excellent, lots of fun and, definitely, lots of skill!!
Steve

 

[Fungi]

Thanks guys!

So I realized pretty quickly fishing line is not the answer for filming space ships in stop motion. When you touch the model it swings for a few minutes. I needed a way to accurately lift a small model prop up and down in repeatable increments. I made a lifting mechanism using some old bearings, washers, and mxl pulleys I had on hand. I laser cut some acrylic parts for the shuttle. I picked up a little stepper and controller for cheap. I've tested it and it's working pretty well. Now to paint it all green. Soon I will be able to "take off" and move the characters arms and head, and lift the landing gear, using stop motion filming. All sorts of fun.

 

[BarleyBop]

...the possibilities!

 

[Fungi]

I made a short video of the walking mechanism build.

 

[BarleyBop]

Cool, is that walking automata your design?
It must have taken ages to get the limb lengths and pivot points optimized!

 

[Spockr]

Thanks guys!

So I realized pretty quickly fishing line is not the answer for filming space ships in stop motion. When you touch the model it swings for a few minutes. I needed a way to accurately lift a small model prop up and down in repeatable increments. I made a lifting mechanism using some old bearings, washers, and mxl pulleys I had on hand. I laser cut some acrylic parts for the shuttle. I picked up a little stepper and controller for cheap. I've tested it and it's working pretty well. Now to paint it all green. Soon I will be able to "take off" and move the characters arms and head, and lift the landing gear, using stop motion filming. All sorts of fun. View attachment 170633

View attachment 170630View attachment 170631View attachment 170632

 

[Fungi]

Cool, is that walking automata your design?
It must have taken ages to get the limb lengths and pivot points optimized!

No, it's a very common 4 bar link that is popular in these type of designs. It's actually known as a straight line movement simulation, and well, windshield wipers. I found some examples with specific lengths, but honestly it's pretty forgiving and works even of the exact lengths are estimated.

 

[Fungi]

In my testing the stepper motor was overheating. I rebuilt the shuttle assembly to reduce friction, increase strength and reduce weight. I improved the counterweight support system, and ordered a larger stepper motor.

I also made a support for filming stop motion where the vehicle does not need to move vertically. Then... then I make hands...

 

[Fungi]

I made some hands. I may make some more...

Today I created some video using these hands. It was very satisfying to see the arms and head move and the hands change to wave or grab something. I will post some video soon. But for now, here's some screen caps from my last video editing session.

 

[Fungi]

After 4 months of building, painting, mock-up, filming, recording, and editing I am proud to release the Space Robots from Outer Space cover of Born to be Wild. In addition to creating all of the visual content I also created the music and sound effects using VCV Rack and Bitwig Studio. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed creating it!

 

[BarleyBop]

Wild, wonderful, spaced, and very entertaining!

 

[Fungi]

Wild, wonderful, spaced, and very entertaining!

thanks!

 

[Fungi]

I made a video on adding wires to my miniature guitars. It turned out, ok...



I'm working on a workshop for the Space Robot videos.

 

[Fungi]

Here's the ES.

 

[Fungi]

I made a short video on making seats for the spaceship.

 

[Fungi]

SR-1 wanted to play guitar, but his arms were too short, and he only had three fingers. He underwent surgery and likes his new shoulders and hands. He received a new head rotation while he was apart. Yippy!

 

[mcs1056]

Just scrolled through the 10 pages. This work is incredible. Only thing I see as missing in their shop is a socket rail with the 10mm missing.

 

[BarleyBop]

This work is incredible

@Fungi never ceases to amaze, cross between ILM and Santa's workshop!

 

[Fungi]

Just scrolled through the 10 pages. This work is incredible. Only thing I see as missing in their shop is a socket rail with the 10mm missing.

good idea. thanks!

 

[Fungi]

@Fungi never ceases to amaze, cross between ILM and Santa's workshop!

thanks!

 

[Fungi]

I worked on Squeaky McGee. He now has new paint, added details, and some cool LED lights. Maybe close to finished.

 

[BarleyBop]

cool LED lights

Nice, though I find that his luminous gaze has slightly malevolent overtones that I hadn't detected before...

 

[mcs1056]

I worked on Squeaky McGee. He now has new paint, added details, and some cool LED lights. Maybe close to finished.

View attachment 176481View attachment 176482View attachment 176483

Does it pivot forward into a water glass?

 

[Holz44]

Well howdy there internet people. How many guitars does a Space Robot band need anyway? The answer may surprise you. View attachment 160969 They are fun to make and cost pennies, and I like the challenge. I took some pictures while I added strings to the little guys Flying V. This guitar was my prototype to see if I could do it. The tuning pegs are made from tiny brass tacks, pressed flat, bent, and the pointy bit sanded flat. The strings are from stranded wire, like from an extension cord. More fun with Space Robots from Outer Space. Here's one of their songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmIoaO0LO-4







View attachment 118488View attachment 118489View attachment 118490View attachment 118491

You should seriously consider full size custom guitar making Fungi !

 

[mcs1056]

You should seriously consider full size custom guitar making Fungi !

Odd, as I've been telling the wife that my guitars cost "Pennies," too.

I hope that, after I die, she checks with someone to sell them for their real value…not what I told her I paid.

Edited to correct misspelled "Pennie's."

 

[Fungi]

Nice, though I find that his luminous gaze has slightly malevolent overtones that I hadn't detected before...

Ha ha ha! Well they are all a bit mischievous tbh.