I’m getting my OpenServo boards from Pendragon Robotics. They had a supply issue (a lot of people wanted them) but now I think they have enough. pendragonrobotics.com/
Thanks Tillin. This may sound dumb but will an open servo board still run off PWM signals? Can I use it hooked to an R/C receiver if I wanted?
As much as that seems against logic 
to run a powerful board of servo signals. It would greatly simplify testing of new robots.
I encourage anyone interested in the OpenServo to visit the forums, as many questions have already been answered. In regards to the PWM control signal, it has been implemented but best I can remember it still needs a little fine tuning.
nick_a
The Open Servos are designed to be controlled via i2c, but PWM control is also being implemented. It just needs to be tested and fine tuned now. So, you will be able to go with i2c or PWM control once the software has been tuned.
Do go register with the Open Servo forums and participate in the discussions, as there is much to be learned and the folks there are as nice as everyone is here.
8-Dale
so evo, where is the walking vid we were all promised. i want to see that monster walk not squirm about on a bucket. about the only legit excuse would be mounting the 50 cals.
nick
Squirm about on a bucket…LOL that’s funny stuff man. 
Well today I start my 10 day holiday. I haven’t had more than 2 days off in a row in the last 6 years. No joke. I worked right through my last 6 holidays. So no matter what, this year I was actually taking them.
So I’ll have some time to catch up on some projects and get myself organized. The Hexapod is currently getting a major makeover. Obviously it has to be disassembled for the new Servo Case hinges and bearings to be added. So since it’s apart, it will be getting it’s chassis and legs lightened considerably to improve performance and I’m installing helper springs on key joints.
For the people who are waiting to order the brackets and hinges, just give me one more week. I want to be sure you end up with an optimal design before I start making them available.
I’ll post an update as soon as I can.
Some thing to try to possibly manage the stresses on the leg joints might be to use somewhat flexable sections on the lower tube leg sections (engineered flex?). As an inexpensive experiment I’d replace the tuble leg sections with sections made from hot glue gun glue sticks and see if they flex sufficiently to reduce some of the peak stress periods.
That’s an excellent idea but I don’t know where I would find glue sticks almost an inch in diameter. Even a 1/2" one wouldn’t support the weight of the Hex.
I see what you’re saying though. Maybe if I could implement a Torsion spring where the leg mounts tot he servo it was rigid most of the time but under a certain amount of lateral pressure it could flex at the base. hmmmmmm
You could try some rigid tubing. What type is the really stiff black stuff? I’m sure you could find that in 1 inch at home depot.
Edit: I think nylon tube is what you would want.
Polyurethane water line comes in different SDR ratings and the series 150, municiple, it probably just the right thickness. That may work. We have 3/4 up to 2" poly at work. I’ll pick some up on the weekend.
Glad I can help. 
The glue stick idea comes from them being cheap and flexable. One thing to consider is that the glue sticks (especially the low temp type) would be easy to melt and pour into a mold to make the leg section of any desired configuration. A trip to home depot to check the various types of plastic piping available would be a good idea. The sections of the smaller bore straight white hot/cold plastic water pipe might be of interest. To limit the tubing flex to a certain amount, a thin wooden dowel section could be losely placed inside the tube to prevent over flexing.
Great idea. I could make a mold for a cool shaped leg and when I pour the castings I can insert an 1/8 metal rod so the leg is flexible but can’t bend excessively. Neat idea.
I’d think the leg section would need to be hollow with a free floating stiff member inside. I don’tthink actually molding a stiff member into a leg section will accomplish much.
Thinking about the way the hex would walk, I’d focus on designing in the flex for the two center legs and not address the issue for the four outer legs. I’d try hinging the center leg tube sections so they can flex in and out to the side a limited amount needed to reduce side stress when on the ground and moving. Use a weak spring or rubber band to keep the tube section flexed outward when the leg isn’t on the ground. Use a round or cone shaped rubber tip on the bottom of the leg to allow easier rotation. The focus for the center legs should be on being a pivoit point for the hex movements, which might make them significantly different from the other legs.
edit: I’d have the center leg tube start at verticle and allow it to flex inward when moving.
graphite fishing rods and arrow shafts might work better
Straight foward/reverse walking is fairly straight foward. The real question will be how does one get it to turn without over stressing various components.
The new lightened chassis and HS805 leg brackets are done. I just have to snap some pics and put her back together. And finish molding a few more Servo Case Hinges.
I shaved 3 pounds off the chassis and brackets. Which is alot. And I picked up some nicer Wire Looms to tidy things up.
I don’t have enough Ball bearings right now though. Only 14 and I need 18. So I ordered 200 for the brackets and 100 other misc ones for testing. They should be here early next week.
I’ll post some pics tomorrow.
sweet, excellent job with the lightening of the chassis evo
post pictures now stomps foot and screams
get them up wen u can, again, excellent job with the lightening, cant wait to see them