Actuality and Artificiality

_{Stage one: Week Commencing 14.10.2013}

_{Week (01)}

_Description:

_{Today the rest of the parts I ordered arrived and I was able to start putting the initial mouth and eye mechanisms together.}

_Parts:

_{Metal U brackets x 6 – (1.1)}

_{Plastic ball and socket joints from an old lego toy - (1.2)}

_{2 x Eyes order from an American prop maker - (1.3)}

_{1 x L Bracket - (1.4)}

_{Bits of Mechano (4 x L brackets, 1 x Triangle Base)}

_{1 x Metal Gear Servo (MG996R) - (1.5)}

_{1x Prosthetic Teeth – (1.6)}

_{Milliput - (1.7)}

_{Phase 1.}

_Eyes

_{To start with I took the plastic Lego ball and socket joints and I trimmed off the parts that I did not need with cutters so that the socket could be placed into the back of the eyes and attached using Milliput. (The ball and socket joints are the same type I used in my second year final project, these joints where successful in giving a full range of eye movement). To make the element that would hold the rods for the eye movement I attached two aluminium standard U brackets back to back (These parts are usually used for ‘Pan and Tilt projects’, but the holes where perfectly places to run rods through - (1.8). I then attached the socket and ball joint together and using Milliput secured the eyes and the ball and socket joints onto the aluminium U bracket frame.}

_Mouth

_{Taking the prosthetic teeth and placing Milliput into the gum line, made it possible to attach the Meccano L brackets, when the Milliput had dried the Meccano Triangular base could be attached to the bottom jaw secured in place a screw and Milliput. To make the mechanism to control the mouth movement I attached a small Aluminium bracket to a servo using a tilt mount then on top on the mount I screwed in a L bracket with a U bracket attached to the side holes of the L bracket.}

_Feelings:

_{Although I was apprehensive concerning how the parts would fit together after I got going I felt that for the first session went really well, I am pleased with the quality of the parts that I have purchased and I am looking forward to the next session.}

_Evaluation:

_{The first stage of the build was successful, the parts fit together well and there was no need to repeat processes or dispose of any parts this reflects the quality of the components. However there are some concerns regarding the stability of the Milliput when placed under pressure from the servos.}

_Analysis:

_{The process of putting the initial parts together was made easy by using standard servo brackets and arranging them how I wanted using their pre-drilled holes, the lightweight aluminium also reduced weight and increased stability. Following the diagram and building on lessons learnt from the second year final project has helped make this first approach successful.}

_Conclusion:

_{In conclusion although the first stage of the build was a success the durability of the components and the Milliput holding them together will be tested as the project develops. (1.9)}

_{Action plan:}

_{The action plan for the second phase will be putting the jaw mechanism together to examine the durability of the parts; I will use the ‘Sweeping servo’ code from Arduino.cc to test this.}

_1.1

1.2

 1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

 1.8

 1.9