Squid

Let's Make Robots Projects Showcase
1

Hello Everyone,

I’ve been away from Robotics for a while, but I’ve recently started working for a small robotics/animatronics/interactive art company. So I’m getting back into the swing of things.

I have several projects of my own on the go, but the furthest along is a Squid.
It is Inspired by art cars like The Nautilus see… fivetoncrane.org/the-nautilus.html

The Idea was to create a Squidcar. A small 1/2 person differential drive vehicle.
So I set about CADing a scale model of a Squidcar. All the designs were drawn in 2D. which resulted in many hours of head scratching. :confused:

As in total there are 118 laser cut components :smiley:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00295.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00313.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00312.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00311.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00310.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00307.jpg

Now the fun bit, how does it all fit together…

Step 1 . Build up the Tentacles and Mouth

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00319.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00320.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00318.jpg

Step 2 . Add in the Spine and Ribs

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00321.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00322.jpg

A Pair of Solabotics GM9 Motors provide the drive

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00323.jpg

Step 3 . Build up the Right Hubless Wheel and the drive train.

Inner Plate

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00324.jpg

Wheel and Main drive Gear

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00325.jpg

Outer Plate and Bearing

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00326.jpg

Cam Gears

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00327.jpg

Motor Drive Gear

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00328.jpg

Outer Facia and axel Mount

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00329.jpg

Add Braces

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00330.jpg

Step 4 . Repeat Step 3 for the Left Side

Step 5 . Add wheel braces

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00345.jpg

And finally you have a complete Squid :smiley:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00335.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00336.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00337.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00338.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00339.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00340.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00341.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00342.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00343.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll284/blobbington/Squid/DSC00344.jpg

I have a few things to finish before it will move.
Including stinging up the tentacles to the drive cams, The tentacles should oscilate as the squid drives along to give the illusion of swimming. Making up the left Cam Drive. And make a small dc drive circuit.
But they shouldnt take too long… :smiley:

I shall post a vid as soon as its ALIVE!!

2

Wow!

I can imagine the movements of the tentacles while driving.
Impressive built and design. Looking forward to see the progress.

When are you going to remove the protective film from the laser cutted parts?

3

waw nice project,
so complex parts
cant wait to see he move o,0

4

hay, i love this.
If that is the protective film that’s left on those parts or just how they have turned out, i think it looks very steampunk.
looks great. 8)

5

Thanks for the complements guys,

The parts are laser cut 3 & 6mm MDF so there is no protective film.
I opted not to sand down the cut edges which are chared black from the laser.
The face that faces the laser also gets a nice smoked effect around the cut.

I was going for a steampunk look, ala jules verne - 20,000 leagues under the sea
Originally I was planning to plank the exterior, but I like the exposed look so I may
build a second squid to plank. Or build a removable planked skin.

6

I want… i need… i request…

A MOVIE…!!!

7

Quite the project! I’m very impressed.

Just curious, MDF and not a plastic of some sort?

Now, can you make it in aluminum? :>)

Alan KM6VV

8

Im sure he could but it’d weigh a crap load lol.

nice squid man. looks cool.

edit: didnt see what it was made from. my bad.