Instructor’s Note:
This class is about a design that can be altered to fit different needs. This will be discussed in class. The materials used in this version of the design are included below. These are not, however, the only options for lengths, sizes and even materials.
For class the instructor will be mounting a 1.75 lb foam Terminator head to the top of the mechanism. This head is not available to the public and is used only as a demonstration (because it looks REALLY cool). You do not need to have a head to mount to the mechanism in order to take the course.
The servo motors listed for the class are very powerful and fairly expensive, but if you do not plan to mount a heavy object to the mechanism, less powerful (and less expensive) servo motors may be substituted. If a heavier head is mounted, stronger servos may be required.
We will also cover several options for controlling the motors. If you do not have or wish to purchase an RC radio then we will cover an option that allows the servos to be driven by using three servo testers. We will also touch briefly on controlling them via a programmable board such as Arduino and Polulu. We will also demonstrate how to use the same basic design to puppeteer a head manually.
VENDORS
Here are some vendor that carry the items you’ll need. You may also be able to find some of the items at your local hardware store or hobby shop.
Online Vendors
McMaster Carr – large selection of hardware, tools and metal
Servo City – selection of RC parts, hardware and prefabricated servo brackets
Tower Hobbies – large selection of RC parts
Robot shop – selection of RC parts, hardware and prefabricated servo brackets
Amazon – selection of almost everything Los Angeles Vendors (local vendors used often):
Industrial Metal Supply – metal
Robin’s Hobby – RC parts Original Manufacturers
Instructor’s note – use these sites if you are having trouble finding a vendor for their product.
K and S Precision Metals – list of hobby brass distributors
Ruland – list of shaft collar and coupling distributors
Lovejoy – list of universal joint distributors
Du-bro – list of RC part distributors SUPPLIES
Instructor’s note: McMaster Carr numbers below are provide for easy reference. McMaster may not ship to you if you are out of the country and you may have to find the equivalent locally or on Amazon.
METAL
¼ inch thick x 1 ½ wide aluminum bar (1 foot length) – McMaster #8975K518
1/8 inch thick x 2 inch wide aluminum bar (1 foot length) – McMaster #8975K582
3/8 inch thick x 2 inch wide aluminum bar (6 inch length) – McMaster #8975K59
¼ aluminum rod (6 inches) – McMaster #8974K22
1/16th inch thick x ¼ wide hobby brass strip (K and S Precision Metals brand) (Need 1 foot) MOTION COMPONENTS
¼ inch stainless steel shaft (6 inches) – Mcmaster #1257K65 (also available from ServoCity)
¼ inch clamping shaft collar (Ruland brand) (need 2) – McMaster #6435K12 (also available from ServoCity)
¼ inch extra gripping shaft collar (Ruland Brand) (need 1) – McMaster #9951K31
¼ inch two piece clamping shaft collar (Ruland brand) (need 2) – McMaster #6436K12
¼ inch steel rod ends with female shank (need 2) – McMaster #60645K321
¼ inch pin and block universal joint (Lovejoy brand) (need 1) – McMaster #6443K24 (also available from ServoCity if you are on a tight budget – not Lovejoy brand)
¼ outer diameter female 6-32 threaded round aluminum stand offs – 3 inch long (need 2) – McMaster #93330A542 (also available from ServoCity)
6-32 heavy duty RC ball linkage (DuBro brand) (need 4) - Available at most RC suppliers
4-40 heavy duty RC ball linkage (DuBro brand) (need 2) – Available at most RC suppliers HARDWARE
2-56 by ¼ inch long button head cap screws (need 8)
4-40 by ¼ inch long socket head cap screws (need 2)
4-40 by 3/8 inch long socket head cap screws (need 3)
4-40 by ½ inch long socket head cap screws (need 4)
4-40 “all thread” stainless steel threaded rod (need 1 piece) – Available at ServoCity and most RC Suppliers
6-32 by 3/8 inch long button head cap screws (need 16)
6-32 by ½ inch long socket head cap screws (need 8)
6-32 by ½ long set screws (need 4) – OR - 6-32 “all thread” stainless threaded rod (need 1 piece)
¼ -28 by ½ inch long button head cap screws (need 2) RC COMPONENTS
Servo Brackets – Standard Servo Plate B (Actobotics brand) (need 3) - Available from ServoCity
RC Servos (need 3) – (we will be using Hitec HS5645MG servos but others may be substituted depending on project specifics) - Available at most RC suppliers
RC receiver – at least 3 channels (need 1) – available at most RC suppliers RC COMPONENT CONTROL OPTIONS
OPTION A:
4 channel RC Radio that matches receiver (need 1)
OPTION B:
RC Servo / ESC Tester (Huituo Electronic brand) (need 3) Available from RobotShop and other RC suppliers
6 inch RC servo extension cables (need 3) – available at RC suppliers
Small Wire nuts (need 3) or electric tape
Wire strippers RC POWER OPTIONS
OPTION A:
6 volt rechargeable RC battery pack
RC battery pack charger
OPTION B:
6 volt dc output plug in power supply (need 1)
Volt meter
Wire strippers
Small wire nuts or electric tape
6 inch RC servo extension cable HAND TOOLS
Allen wrench set - .050 thru 5/16 – ball ends preferred
Drills – ¼ inch, #50, #41, #43, #30, #36, #25 (these are tap and clearance drills for 2-56, 4-40, and 6-32 respectively)
Taps (2-56, 4-40, 6-32)
Tap handle
Counter sink
Small Philips head screwdriver (for servo horn)
Razor blade or exacto knife
Diagonal cutting pliers
Tape measure or ruler OPTIONAL HAND TOOLS (helpful but not absolutely necessary)
Digital Calipers
Automatic punch
Small table vice
Small clamps
Metal file ELECTRIC TOOLS
Aluminum cutting tool - band saw, jig saw or hack saw (instructor will be using a band saw in class)
Aluminum drilling tool - drill press or drill motor (instructor will be using both in class)
Aluminum shaping tool – belt or disc bench sander or rotary tool with sanding drum (instructor will be using sander in class) MISC SUPPLIES
Double stick tape or sticky back velcro
Medium strength and high strength “Loctite” thread lock (optional)
Tapping fluid or lubricant
Wooden block (or similar) to use as a drilling surface
Sandpaper (optional)
Epoxy or epoxy putty (optional – used to attach head to mounting plate)
RC on/off switch (optional)