thanks jim, Well it seems to be going ok regarding making this thing but have hit a few problems.
First:I wont be able to export it to the client in Texas due to the feathers having an exporting law against them.
This can be over come by not sending it, and just have it remain here for UK researchers to field test.
Second: i feel their might be a few contact problems regarding the head cast and the body. the design is not fool prof and it would require knowing that when in certain positions, other servos should be moved as this contact will happen.
This can be overcome by using the same code i wrote for the hawk. but im going RC with this one.
Third: Some of the areas around the Neck will have far more exposure than expected due to the neck area 'chest to spine, being so wide. This might be able to be sorted using a complete over skin made using a durable rubber foam cast taken from the sculpture (destroyed when de moulding). i can cast a plaster body, from the original mould, then brush on the foam rubber to make a skin.
makes sense but. … Emm BUT, the feathers required would also come form a protected species (great horned owl) and cannot be imported into the UK. we could use pheasant again but iv been donated the feathers of an Eagle owl for this, and id like to get the best look for it. The paperwork is being processed.
The client suggested a UK Trial. he will put me in contact with his UK partners.
I have a spare channel on my transmitter (a switch) that when used, it will snap a servo into a position and back again when switched back. (i.e Landing Gear)
I thinking it would be a good idea to use this spare channel.
The only things i can think of using this fast moving servo switch for 'would be for either Eyelids or Beak.
Hey, Jonny, I love the way that all moves! It is so smooth and fluid. Am I right in guessing you are using IK to guide it?
From your earlier discussion on feathers, I gathered you have client for the owl. Would it be totally out of place to let him settle “beak or eyelids?”
When you make another copy, you could lengthen the “end effector” into a light saber and have an incredibly graceful Mech Warrior. The switch question could then be “lights or sound?”
It’s another beautiful job, and we haven’t even seen it fleshed-out yet.
I should go for eyelids as well. You can give is so much more character with eye(lid)s. If you can make them “static” near the beak and let it rotate to change the angle. The bird would be able to show moods.
Lol.
Another feature i was thinking about was to add a bladder to the chest of the Owl to simulate breathing. I was thinking of using the vacuum gripper pump idea to inflate and deflate the bladder.
Not having any channels left on my remote i was thinking about mixing some of the servo pulses using a Y cable to free up a channel.
The body tilt servo runs from an auxilary pot on the top of the transmitter. Might change that one.
Ok well first id like to thank Lynxmotion for a very speedy delivery of the Vacuum gripper kit i won in the last contest. Built in under 10mins
Thanks guys.
I can confirm that the syringe chamber doesn’t hold enough air to make a small 100x200mm diaphragm inflate/deflate. im looking into finding a larger diameter chamber syringe, and extending the servo arm for move leverage.