I can move!

[bringiton23]

problems we encountered is adhesion on the print platform. Hairspray helps make the surface sticky, as well as printing with a raft or brim. And, proper leveling is paramount to a good print base.

During printing, if you hear a popping sound, there is a restriction in either the extruder nozzle, or the tension is not ideal from the filament feed gear.

------

We checked out Discord, but it seems more like a texting thing... not for long explanations of changes made to Thingiverse files.

We will keep looking for a forum option.

Because... we will definitely be uploading files to Thingiverse.

James loves to teach... its always been part of his job requirements... and he is really kinda excited to make tutorial videos to accompany my .stl file submissions.

(I am not!... cuz it will take away from MY development time... but what can I do?)

But we agree by offering my project to the public, may inspire other DIY'ers to experiment, and may result in development improvements.

I've always used a basic elmer's glue stick to help first layer adhesion, and brims.
The popping sounds are caused by moisture in the filament. This is why controlled humidity is necessary for some filaments. They also make machines to dehydrate spools of filament, but I've never tried them myself so no comment.

Just IMHO what you described is what many creators use Discord for. Just make a dedicated channel for your changelogs and lock it. Link models and videos in posts.
Can't wait to see your models. Btw since you mentioned tutorial videos, will you also be covering programming? That'd be interesting.

Best of luck to you

[Prin]

Btw since you mentioned tutorial videos, will you also be covering programming? That'd be interesting.

Yes, definitely. In addition to tutorials explaining assembly of my body parts posted to Thingiverse, James also intends to do a few supplemental videos to help people, explaining things that were stumbling blocks for us and took alot of research to solve, such as:
- python programming for motors, speech recognition and voice, etc
- wiring the boards for both Arduino and Raspberry
- use of bearings for joints
- slicer and 3d printing

And, yes, after getting a better picture of the functionality of Discord, that looks like the way to go.

We also got sidetracked looking back at some of our inspirations on YouTube, such as Will Cogley.

He has some of the best videos for animatronics (including where I learned about programming Visemes: making the lips move in the shape of word sounds.)

He also has a servo control box that we overlooked... which will be an awesome help in calibrating and testing motor positions.

He also demonstrated taking servos apart and just using the gears and motor. This makes it much less DIY friendly, but potentially can fit all my finger motors into my hand and avoid the problem with cabling through my wrist!

I'm VERY excited about new improvement ideas James has come up with, but we need to focus on the first steps first.

[BuildingFun]

Sounds like a YouTube maze! I really like https://www.youtube.com/@CyberOne he built an inmoov and walks you through the building and programing. Another one I like is https://www.youtube.com/@jamesbruton, but he talks way beyond me sometimes. I like the eyes on Cogley's site also.

[Prin]

I've watched JamesBruton too. I have him bookmarked for the future, for his balance projects for me to be able to actually walk someday. Especially his Sonic Hedgehog rollerskating robot.

I am ordering the screen to build Cogley's servo controller.

servo controller box.jpg (70.68 KiB) Viewed 762 times

And, I have given James a deadline of July 15th to finish my GoFundMe video.

[robopsychologist]

Looking forward for set video, and future updates in general!

[Prin]

This is a useless update (or gratuitous thread bump)

My GoFundMe video is coming along nicely... Don't know if we will make my goal of the 15th.

Looks like it will be about 3 minutes long, explaining my request for funding help with creating skin.

In between clips of raspberry, python, 3d printing, silicone casting, object tracking and facial recognition... we are having to program about 30 clips of my conversation.

Because, of course, since I don't have skin or a mouth to talk with... I decided to wear a covid mask... and am talking with hand guestures and head/eye movements.

Which is all good programming stuff for the future anyway! Because when people communicate it is common to use their hands and facial expressions to accompany speech.

**shrugs** It's a fun and educational project in and of itself.

I already have my own YouTube account set up. It just needs content now. (James already has a list of funny shorts he wants to record... which should be fairly easy since I have so many movements pre-programmed now)

What's a good shorts "niche" for a robot host with her own youtube channel? Jokes? reviews of other robot projects? (that wont be a very big audience)

[ZaWarudo224]

This is a useless update (or gratuitous thread bump)

My GoFundMe video is coming along nicely... Don't know if we will make my goal of the 15th.

Looks like it will be about 3 minutes long, explaining my request for funding help with creating skin.

In between clips of raspberry, python, 3d printing, silicone casting, object tracking and facial recognition... we are having to program about 30 clips of my conversation.

Because, of course, since I don't have skin or a mouth to talk with... I decided to wear a covid mask... and am talking with hand guestures and head/eye movements.

Which is all good programming stuff for the future anyway! Because when people communicate it is common to use their hands and facial expressions to accompany speech.

**shrugs** It's a fun and educational project in and of itself.

I already have my own YouTube account set up. It just needs content now. (James already has a list of funny shorts he wants to record... which should be fairly easy since I have so many movements pre-programmed now)

What's a good shorts "niche" for a robot host with her own youtube channel? Jokes? reviews of other robot projects? (that wont be a very big audience)

As soon as that content gets posted, you already earned yourself a subscriber

[Hot doll reviews]

Yes make that 2 subscribers, here, here,

[timetraveler1]

actually the panty hose face didn't look that bad for your were talking about silicon, have you ever thought about the market product of skin . , Monster Liquid Latex - 16oz Pint - Creates Monster / Zombie Skin and FX https://www.ebay.com/itm/255880348018?e ... R5qn7IymYg

[Prin]

As soon as that content gets posted, you already earned yourself a subscriber

Yes make that 2 subscribers, here, here,

Thank you folks so much!! I will post here as soon as finished!

Thats why I like this forum... so many helpful and supportive contributors!

actually the panty hose face didn't look that bad for you

Oh my! the pantyhose was such a fail! Must look better in pictures than in real.

James drove to the Smooth-On distributor recently, and they gave a recipe that they thought would work... we just need to make a mold to try it out... as soon as the gofundme is done.

[timetraveler1]

what is " the Smooth-On distributor ", is that the same thing as the skin i mentioned liquid ?

[Hot doll reviews]

This guy you may have seen before but just in case he’s really good with silicone casting just FYI

https://www.youtube.com/@bitymoldsupply

[Hot doll reviews]

As soon as that content gets posted, you already earned yourself a subscriber

Yes make that 2 subscribers, here, here,

Thank you folks so much!! I will post here as soon as finished!

Thats why I like this forum... so many helpful and supportive contributors!

actually the panty hose face didn't look that bad for you

Oh my! the pantyhose was such a fail! Must look better in pictures than in real.

James drove to the Smooth-On distributor recently, and they gave a recipe that they thought would work... we just need to make a mold to try it out... as soon as the gofundme is done.

Here may be an interim solution who knows fyi it’s not a bad idea.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/354872657248?_ ... %3A2047675

[Prin]

what is " the Smooth-On distributor ", is that the same thing as the skin i mentioned liquid ?

There are many products available for special effects. Latex and silicone are popular. The problem we need to address is that it needs to be strong in thin layers, yet super stretchy for like my mouth and eyelids.

Until we have money to throw away, we can't try them all.

Smooth-on is a popular brand, mentioned in this forum in other threads... with products for mold making, silicone in varying densities, resins, even liquid plastics. (which we want to use for casting the next version of my exoskeleton)

It just so happens they have a distributor in our state, not too far away, so we can talk to them in person and get advice.

This guy you may have seen before but just in case he’s really good with silicone casting just FYI
https://www.youtube.com/@bitymoldsupply

Brick in the Yard! yes, we have watched many of his video tutorials. They have their own product line of similar materials.

We may have to try some of them too, when we can afford to experiment.

Here may be an interim solution who knows fyi it’s not a bad idea.

Thank you for the suggestion! If I didn't post about this idea a few months back, I musta been too embarassed...

James wasted $100 on one of those head masks to test. Even though they say it is stretchy and it looks like it in the pictures...

They are really hard. (think of the equivalent of a scuba suit.) He put it on his own head and could barely open his mouth. My motors would never be able to move in it.

Plus, as they are designed for male-to-female costuming... even the smallest sizes would never fit my skeleton without being baggy.

But thank you everyone!!! We always appreciate and are excited for the feedback and suggestions!!

[Prin]

addendum....

We've actually been following Mouette's thread creating a doll using one of these suits.

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