Some would call it OCD, others attention to detail.
When I originally uploaded the STL file for my Leonardo Voltron I discovered that the figure was facing away from the “camera” in the rendering. Since I had to run the model through Netfabb to fix up some minor details anyhow, I rotated the entire model 180 degrees in Sketchup, re-exported to the STL, and then put it through Netfabb.
That way, when you view the rendered image of the Voltron parts, they’re facing the viewer.
Leonardo Voltron!
I’ve mentioned wanting to print a Voltron several times before. It was Tony Buser who mentioned modifying the Leonardo Robot by jrombousky.
Well, I finally got around to designing it! All you have to do is print up the parts from Jrombousky’s Leonardo Robot and then this single plate of parts. Swap out the bits, paint to suit (or print in the color of your choice).
Yay!
I really like the connection mechanism behind the Beco Blocks. 1 It appears to allow a wide range of movement and rotation in the joint. There’s a lot of applications that come to mind:
In furtherance of these possibilities, I’ve taken the smallest male/female Beco Block and sliced it between the male/female connector parts. My idea is to start grafting these connector parts into other designs. I need to fix up the files a little – but when I get them usable I’ll post them up to Thingiverse.
Unfortunately, my Leonardo Robot has a broken hip – I kid you not. One of the hinge tabs on his hip snapped.
Fortunately, I’ve got a MakerBot. I can build him better than before. Perhaps with a 40% fill this time. ;)
Tony Buser’s post about his Alternative Extruder Controller Mounting reminded me that I’ve been meaning to show a better picture of my own setup. I had blogged about it earlier, but not shown a good picture.
Side mounted extruder board, rotated motherboard
Here you can see where I’ve mounted the extruder board at the top left and how I’ve rotated the motherboard 90 degrees counter clockwise. This gives me better access to the SD card slot. If you don’t rotate the motherboard, the SD card slot is blocked by the extruder board.
Totally clear plastruder
Here you can see Leonardo Robot’s arm and how I’ve run the wires from the extruder motor and heater up to the board.
I remember buying saving up to buy a Voltron toy as a kid. It was a very small model with plastic lion limbs that did not transform or detach. It was basically a toy robot with lion slippers and mittens.
Still, I thought it was the greatest freaking thing ever. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the heck it could be. Anyhow, I can’t wait to try modeling and printing a replacement. I really like Tony Buser’s idea of modifying the Leonardo Robot as a starting point.
Jrombousky designed his Leonardo Robot based upon the ratios in Leonardo DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man. He mentioned that it was based on these very cool papercraft Paper Robot. I just used his gcodes and they turned out just fine. This just supports my belief that a good set of Skeinforge settings may be nearly universal. In any case, here it is!
Ddomo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Leonardo Robot
Freaking cool. This robot was designed by jrombosky by taking the measurements/proportions/ratios from Leonardo DaVinci’s Virtuvian Man. Even if these proportions were all messed up, this would still be super awesome. It’s a little printable robot!!!
Lego Robot Set
It reminds me of a lego set from a few years ago: