sorry meant the nuts, guess i need to wake up more.
My sensor coding is complete but still needs real world testing for bugs.
I use something like these…
i use this alot but, still got issues with small items.
so i got some micro tweezers.
Another technique I use requires a little beeswax. Knead a small piece (pea-sized or smaller) until soft. Then you can rub the washer, nut and/or screw with it and the parts can be made to temporarily stick together. A bit on the washer before placing on the screw holds the two parts together for assembly. A bit on the nut will allow it to stick to the bracket or servo until assembly… You just need a thin film; the wax is sticky. Of course in some situations, you may want to place the wax carefully so that it doesn’t lubricate the joint. For example with a nut, I would place the beeswax on the side so that it does not end on the threads or the entire side facing the bracket.
A magnetic bit driver is a life saver. I don’t have the below image but having a strong magnet in the shank and a free spinning swivel end on the handle makes running screws in and out super easy. I have an old craftsman that has a storage cap on the handle that spins freely. I am able to hold the driver cap in my palm and use my fingers to turn the driver handle, the same concept can be used with the below image since it has a swivel end piece.
The magnet does a great job of of holding washers and nuts and helps with assembly in tight areas.
ok after i charge the battery (which i just put on the charger).
I think she is ready to walk.
finished the mechanicals. the only reason the arduino is not inside is for the sensor work i still need to do. when i figure out what i did with the rest of the body screws i will put them on also.
and the photos:
http://www.zhanx.net/incoming/octopod/ready.jpg
http://www.zhanx.net/incoming/octopod/ready2.jpg
tomorrow i will be finishing my setup and zeroing of the servos to get her to move under her own power
Ok first my robot has a name - ELF (eight legged freak since she was inspired by the movie).
Second : ELF took her first awkward steps today!!!
after about 15 steps forward. I realize i need better mounting on the hip servos so i will be working on that after work tonight. But SHE WALKS!
i am geeked!
after i get the mounting right i will do some video for you.
OK what i did and why i did it. My first run at the robot i was just excited to be building one. I did some basic measurements and test against the known size etc. I did really “design” it so much as throw everything together make sure it was all the right sizes and have it cut.
My second go at it. I had all the parts on hand. My goal was to do it right. Which meant everything on the robot needed a purpose. Everything was integrated in the body structure to make it stronger while making it lighter. Doing this allowed me to research and go with an even lighter material that after testing the structure would work.
While the design was posted earlier i didnt say much of it. Too mayn negative people… The body consists of 4 layers. Everyone supports and builds off the next with the top and bottom main body being reinforced by the electronics tray and battery holder.
The battery has been integrated as part of the stiffing for the body. Both the SSC-32 and Arduino boards provide strength to the electronics layer which is key to the design.
If you look at the top there are 2 sets of 4 bolts. I wanted originally to go with all cap screws but i was unable to source the right size in full threaded length. Not All the screws attach at the electronics layer.
I didn’t resize the photos to post them here. They are all 1.9 megs or higher with a resolution of 3008x2000 pixels. And due to my location uploading them takes lots of time but they are being uploaded and i will post links to them but i did resize on in-progress pic as a teaser
http://www.zhanx.net/incoming/octopod/newbody.jpg
I am planning on doing more upgrades to the legs. while i like the look of them. I dont like how they preform. I only centered the hip servos and i still need to check the centering of the tibia and femur servos. Double check all the measurements and then i will turn up my walking gait speed. Which i have set at 5 secs per movement for testing and to make sure i don’t snap another leg with my testing. i know i was going to post video, but i think you will agree it is worth the wait. As i one typing this the first photo completed
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3617.JPG
with the new body i have cut out quite of weight while maintaining a stronger structure. Its more solid than the Acrylic i made the mistake of going with first.
j
That body is much nicer!
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3617.JPG
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3627.JPG
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3620.JPG
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3619.JPG
hit img instead of url now fixed
thanks i am happy with how it turned out
Hi Jay,
You’ve accomplished quite a bit! It looks great!
And now I see that there is a double layer with 8 “pedals”, which wasn’t obvious to me before. Very nicely executed design.
Please don’t take any of our comments as being negative, I’m sure they were all meant to be constructive.
Keep up the good work!
Alan KM6VV
thanks, there are actually 24 “pedals” but seeing the last 8 will be hard unless i take it apart. the inner 8 are apart of the support system.
ok the rest are uploaded took forever
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3612.JPG
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3618.JPG
zhanx.net/incoming/ELF/DSC_3622.JPG
now for some sleep
I fully understand the need for sleep 
You did a great job with the new body! Very well done. I like the middle section for holding the electronics, very creative.
Looking forward to see some walking!
Btw: whats the complete weight including battery?
Some weights are exact. Others with a * are relatively close guesses
24 Servos @ 55.2 grams = 1324.8 grams
1 battery pack @ 275 grams = 1599.8 grams
*SSC-32 @ 60 grams = 1659.8 grams
*Arduino @ 50 grams = 1709.8 grams
*Misc Hardware @ 500 grams = 2009.8 grams
Body @ 90 grams = 2099.9 grams
So that makes it 2600 grams before i put it on a scale (which i don’t have).
or 4.6 pounds.
broke yet another acrylic piece. It was a BAD idea to start with that.
I need to redo the legs in aluminum. I don’t think anything else will hold up. All my tests show it failing so… Anyone able to convert an SVG to a cad file so i can have them made?
You can use 1/4" ABS. That will work well, and is not brittle like acrylic.
what about flex?
I believe this is the same material Zenta used for his original Phoenix and A-Pod builds. It will not flex much when it’s 1/4" thick.