Dodo Walk R2
The bird anatomy pictures were really helpful in creating the new version. I created a box in Fusion360 and added the picture as a decal.
I then used that to trace out the two parts of the leg. Previously I’d modeled all the pins and holes but a bit of experimentation showed that I could have a simpler version and it would still move, so I did that for this version.
The rotating joints were added and the sliding joint was added. A rough foot was sketched and fixed to the lower leg using a rigid constraint. My problem came when I tested things out. I rotated the driving wheel and the backboard just span around. I found the solution via this Pluralsight video on Joints and As-Built Joints. You need to mark the base as “Ground” which pins it in place. The other interesting thing I learnt this week was the Motion Links this joins up items such as gears or screw threads. So the motion of one item drives another directly without needing to model the linking.
For the sliding joint to provide the desired motion requires some end stops to limit the motion. I’ll be using a brass pipe and brass rod for the legs and this joint. I can limit one end of the movement simply by blocking the end of the pipe, the other end I’ll need to create something like a piston where the inner portion is larger than the outer.
Foot
The foot will be made using some Sugru, I experimented with the “Create Form” option in Fusion 360 to create something bird-like. I’ll likely make the toes a bit longer so perhaps a wire former to give them support. Looking at reference material the Dodo has big black claws on the end of the toes and back of the foot. I’ll likely print these or possibly hand carve them.
Volcano
For the glowing lava of the volcano, I’m planning to use a small DC motor running as a generator to flash some LEDs. I hope to have these flicker or pulsate rather than be rhythmical. The most promising circuit option I’ve seen so far uses a candle flickering LED to drive a transistor to control the main LEDs.
To drive the generator I’m thinking that the input hand crank will need to be geared up so that the generator spins at a higher speed.
I used my new found knowledge of making gears and motion links to animate that in Fusion 360.
Posted in: Dodo Automata
Dodo Walk
I’ve been experimenting with Fusion360 and linked joints to help with the design of the Dodo Automata. Back to Basics I quite like how this is progressing but something did not look quite right. So I looked back to my
Posted in: Dodo Automata
Tags: animation, Fusion360, walk cycle
Extractor fan switch
To control the extractor fan I purchased a three-way switch that is labelled, “Man”, “Off” and “Auto”. The fan controller has a trigger connection and the idea is that this can be controlled from the light switch or in future
Posted in: Electrics
Tags: extractor fan
IOT Security
This last week I gave a talk at the Linuxing in London group about IOT security. The main themes were why you should bother and how to secure a system. The talk looked at some historical examples where systems were
Posted in: Inspiration
Tags: Azure Sphere, IOT, security
The Crafty Kid’s Guide to DIY Electronics
Helen sent me a copy of her latest book to review. We’ve not had a chance to try out any of the projects yet but here’s my initial thoughts. So there’s a couple of reasons we’ve not yet got around
Posted in: Books and Magazine Reviews
Extractor Fan
As mentioned on the Guild of Makers Conference post, I picked up an extractor fan at the swap meet. This was a powerful dual blower style fan with a timer and an external trigger. There’s also a microswitch that controls
Posted in: Shed
Tags: extractor fan, fumes
Antrim to Ayrshire Link
Currently, the route from Northern Ireland to Scotland is via the Stranraer ferry, this is a slow route and often closed due to bad weather. All this will be a thing of the past once a new combined tunnel and
Posted in: Inspiration
Next Page »
Metal sculpture in brass, mounted on an 1800s French Coin
