Robots, 3D Printing, Props, & More

I started a project at the beginning of the year that I planned on completing for an event in October. However, with everything that's happened this year, I'm not sure the event will actually happened. I'm still working on the project just in case. ;)

After looking up 1980s consumer robots and getting some input from a few people, this design is what I've come up with so far for to re-skin the D-O robot plush.

It's got a few decorative buttons on the front, two large optical sensors, some decorative vents on top, and paneling details around it's body. One person I talked with suggested a top-hat shape and it stuck out in my mind while I was designing it.

I still plan on adding some additional small details and tweaking a few things, but overall I'm quite happy with it's design!

What should we name this robot?

I've decided to separate the two and want to design a little robot to put over the existing electronics.

If you've got any ideas on what the little robot should look like, send me a message!

The legs finished printing the other day, and I've sanded everything in order to assemble the figure!

I'm quite happy how it turned out. It's final height is 20.5 inches tall, scaled to 1,171.88% of the actual Lego figure's size!

These parts were designed to be made from a more flexible plastic; while they hold together and fit very tightly, they don't allow for free movement of the head, arms, or legs. That's fine, though, as this will be a decorative piece more than a toy anyway.

3D Printed Giant Lego Battle Droid: Update!

The torso came out quite nicely! There are a few imperfections here and there, but that's to be expected with something as large and angular as this.

The legs have started printing, and should be done in just over 24 hours.

I've also ran into a bit of trouble patching the straight arm. All was going well until I tried to fit it into the torso, and it cracked the arm a bit more. I've glued it the best I can and will sand it to prevent it cracking again, but I'll probably end up reprinting the arm entirely.

3D Printed Giant Lego Battle Droid

The title says it all, lol. That first pic shows a US Quarter on one of the arms, to give you an idea of how tall the finished figure will be.

Aside from filling a gap in the straight arm, the project won't require any work other than removing support material once the parts are finished printing.

The head and arms finished this morning, and the torso is currently printing. I might be able to finish the whole figure by this coming weekend!

Animatronic GLaDOS

This project has been in the works since the beginning of 2019. A friend of mine has commissioned me to make them an Animatronic GLaDOS to hang from their ceiling!

Over the last year I've 3D printed all of the parts required and collected nearly all of the electronic components to bring Her to life.

When completed, she will move and talk, be controlled by a wireless PS2 controller, plug into an outlet for power, and double as a ceiling lamp too!

Here's what I have left to do to get Her finished:

Sandblast all the parts

Layout the electronics

Code and test the electronics

Buy and fit mounting hardware

Prime all the parts

Assemble temporarily and test motion

Troubleshoot any issues

Paint all the parts and assemble

Pack and ship to friend

Hi! 24-7-robotics is where you can see all of the cool stuff I, @24-7-testing, build in my spare time. Things like robots & animatronics, props, 3D prints, and other projects will be featured as I make them.

To get started, here’s some info about a project I’ve already completed twice, and have plans for a third in the future: Animatronic Wheatley!

Wheatley v1.0

Wheatley v1.0 was made in early 2014, took 2 months and about $350 to make, and was made out of styrofoam and paper-mache. He can move his face, blink his eyelids together, and flash his eye while saying 1 of 6 voice lines. He is powered by a huge mess of 9V, AA, and AAA batteries hardwired to himself and a custom controller. (I’m a slightly cringy teenager in the video above, so here’s your warning about that, lol)

Wheatley v2.0

Wheatley v2.0 was started in October 2016 and was finished in August 2018, taking just under 2 years to complete with a final estimated cost of just over $1,700! He is made mainly of 3D printed plastic, and can move his face in 6 different directions, move each eyelid independently, move each handle independently, and flash his eye while saying 1 of 60+ voice lines! He is powered by an internal rechargeable battery and communicates with a PS3 controller via Bluetooth.

Wheatley v3.0

I plan on making a third version of Wheatley someday. I think I’d like to make it possible to switch eyes/personalities, so I can have the other Portal 2 Cores as well. I’ve also got some ideas on how to reproduce the internal mechanism inside the Cores, so the finished product would be as accurate to the game as possible. Stay tuned for more details about this project in the future!