Animatronic step by step build

[Paul Wills]

Hi Sym

The Possibility’s are endless and as someone once said to me, "You are only limited by your own imagination and ability".

Paul.

[Richie Wignall]

Hi Guys.

Sym
Great work on the figure.

Paul

Looking good mate, I was playing with this baby http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Inex-16-Servo-Con ... 996wt_1139

It was really good at low speeds (frames) and no sound of any of the servo's , but it had it faults needing another board , and spending a full week on 6 figures !! well

The Pololu Micro looks good, but I would need more out puts, say 18, a full Tank crew with even MG

Richie wiggytronics

[Mick Regan]

Hi Richie

Pololu do a 18 and 24 channel servo controllers. Have a look at http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/12

Mick

[Churchill Creations]

Well I'm back from another useless show where it's blown a gale and poured down, May has been a terrible month weather wise! I only hope it picks up for June as I'm on my hols next week.

What it does mean is that I'm up to date with my orders and have started moulding some figures for stock. Terry's happily making some figures for James Tseliki and I'm taking the opportunity to mould some rotating bases that the existing finished animatronic figures can be mounted into. James has kindly given me the dimensions of the Tiger hatches so we can make them to suit the Commander, loader and driver. As promised I will upload some pics for the DIY version later.

I also intend to post a basic Pololu programming thread hopefully by tomorrow so please take a look.

Cheers,
Sym.

[Paul Morris]

Hi Sym.

This is a really good topic on this forum I am glad you decided to go for it, all good stuff.
Cheers Paul

[Churchill Creations]

Thanks Paul, I'm actually enjoying it on here. When we used to talk on the other forum it was a different atmosphere all together, nothing to do with the mods, just the idiots (or should that be idiot, lol).

Are you going to the Open Day in September? I asked Gill if we could come along and she said yes, it will be really nice to talk to some of our customers face to face. And hopefully talk to you and your good lady again.

BTW, I've moulded a bunch of new bits and pieces for the figures, I'll hopefully get chance to post them on here before I go on holiday this Saturday for a week.

Cheers,
Sym.

[Churchill Creations]

Well I'm back after a lovely week in Cornwall, it was even sunny most of the time!

I've finished some new mouldings that should offer more options to your figure build, I'll take some pics today and post them later.

Cheers,
Sym.

[Churchill Creations]

As promised here are some pics of the new options. I intend to list all moulded parts separately on the website so you can customise your build to suit your needs. Later in the week will be some more moulding options that will include pushrods for the arms for either left, right or both arms together, the last option being ideal if you want your Commander to use both hands to hold his binoculars.

Cheers,
Sym.

__________________________________

Firstly a choice of left or right arms with the pointing option previously only available on the left arm. The standard forearm can then be used for either option. You will also notice an optional moulded horn to replace the kits aluminium tubing.

Next up is a jointed universal arm that can be used for either left or right arm. This should do away with the need to tear apart a donor figure just for the arms. Also shown in this shot is a new moulded horn to replace the aluminium tube currently used, again this can be used on any of the moulded arms available.

Finally is my new laser cut rotate and tilt base...

[John Fitzsimons]

Great news, I had two figures ready for amputation. Last minute stay of execution. Claus Von Stauffenberg gets to keep what remains of his arm.

[Churchill Creations]

Lol, Glad to hear they may not be quartered after all!

I've just added a lot of this stuff to the website - http://www.churchillcreations.co.uk/animatronics.html

I was talking with Terry today, he builds all the customers completed figures. We've got lots of ideas in the pipeline so keep dropping back here for more info soon.

Cheers,
Sym.

[Churchill Creations]

Slightly off topic, I'm involved with another company who make RC scale ARTF model aircraft. They recently visited JetPower Messe in Germany where they asked me to make a full body jet pilot figure for display. Just though you would like to see the little fella...



Cheers,
Sym.

[John Fitzsimons]

Is it possible to power the card and servos from a small battery. Somthing like one used to power a receiver. I want to put all the animatronics stuff in the turret if possible and would prefer not yo have wires from turret tu batteries in the hull.

[leesellars]

Hello John

Why dont you just get a small 12vdc battery ie 3.2Ah

Lee

[Churchill Creations]

Hi John,

Sorry about my late reply. The controller will take quite a wide voltage range but you will be limited by the servos as they cannot take more than 6VDC. 6V does not mean 5x Nimhs or NiCads as they will give over 7V fully charged, ideally use a 4 cell pack for the perfect voltage.

If you wanted a more compact power source then your best bet would be to use a Ubec, this will reduce any voltage up to 30VDC (depending on model) down to 5VDC. Using this method would allow a small 2-3 cell Li-Po to be used, the higher voltage of the 3 cell pack would have a lower current draw, Volts x Amps = Watts and all that?

Cheers,
Sym.

[sean kerambrun]

Hi guys,

The instructions say us the single joint shoulder figures. Has anyone done the double joint?

Cheers

Sean

The kit was designed around Dragon figures but you can sometimes use BBi, Ignite, 21C and several others. The main thing to look out for is that the shoulder is a single joint and not the double jounted affairs that some of the later figures incorporate. These should have a short stub, often with a disc moulded into the end, you will need to trim this down so the 6mm aluminium tube can slide over, right up to the arm. Don't fit the tube yet though.