www.TK560.com

Pixelphish · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Seattle

I'm going to be building about a half scale, kinetic replica of the robot from Castle in the Sky. If you haven't seen the film, I recommend you do. Anyhoo, I plan to vacuform the arm, leg segments as well as the hands and possibly head and feet. The main body will be fiberglas. All this will be on a steel subframe. It will be motion sensitive with sound and lights for now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Here's a rough model I'll be working from:
http://www.dtoland.com/Portfolio/3-D_Work.html#0
http://www.dtoland.com/Portfolio/3-D_Work.html#1

Pixelphish · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Seattle

One big question I have right off is where do I find the plastic sheeting and what thickness would be best for my application? I plan to pull each part in halves and then glue them together. Thanks!

jdougn · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

Hey, welcome to the forum! So iiuc, your robot would be over 6' tall!? That'd be awesome!
What kind of vacuum forming machine are you gonna work with?

There are other guys that do more with armor on here but HIPS plastic would probably be a good start. It's what a lot of body armor makers use. I do stuff for Jeeps and use 3/16-1/4" ABS. In 1/8" and thinner, ABS is fairly easy to work with although not as easy as HIPS.

There should be local suppliers you can get plastic from around Seatle. If not three suggestions would be, McMaster-Carr, Professional Plastics, and Alro Plastics since they all ship. I get my stuff from Alro but they don't have much of an internet presence.
hth, DougN

Is this the full sized robot!?

_________________
DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions.

Pixelphish · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Seattle

Yes. That's the one. Mine will be around 10" tall. I'll be building the vacuform based on Egner's plan and some improvements I found here by cashman?
I've never done any large fiber-glassing before either so that too will be a source for questions in the future.
D

jdougn · Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:18 am Post subject: Re: robot sculpture

Pixelphish · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Seattle

Thanks I will keep posting progress and I meant 10', not 10" high. 10" wouldn't be that spectacular.

jegner · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:01 am Post subject:

Welcome to the board. Cool project! Keep us updated!

jdougn · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:52 am Post subject: 10" vs 10'