More 3D Star Wars stuff

Made some design changes to the panel I drew up and printed for my GOUD-4 mouse droid.

Changed the grill panel to a bank of buttons for this first one.

Then for the second panel I swapped the holoprojector for a square panel that a meshed grill can be installed as an intercom.

Working on making the buttons functional.

These will be uploaded to my Prusa account page after some minor updates.

GOUD-4 project update 2022

January 2022

So, back in January, I created a page dedicated to the GOUD-4 messenger Droid, link at top of page.

Updates carried forward from last year:

Printed off a new sound board bracket (same one I designed for R5’s).

GOUD-4 - project ‘page’

I created GOUD-4’s own Blog site as a way of it being a more easier way to find and follow the build. But it didn’t seem to take much interest with people….??

So I decided to revert the build back to this main Blog, everything I do, in one place, and have created his own page (links are at the top or in mobile, drop down options).

So for 2022, ALL builds, build updates, projects etc will be posted up on this one Blog. Here’s the link to the History Build project for GOUD-4.

Transmitters - Volantex Exmitter's

 

A few years back I needed a new transmitter...urgently!

It didn't need to be an all singing and dancing unit, as R5 doesn't dance 😄, it just had to have enough channels and not break the bank [cost a lot]. Some quick internet searching led me to this slim looking unit. Yes, I said slim. Why most transmitters HAVE to be so bulky is beyond me, but after using the Hitec Optic 6 this unit felt light and easier to hold & handle.

So I popped down into town to one of the only remaining model shops, and asked to buy the Ex7. The guy turned around and saw on the shelf that the only one he had was an Ex6 [though online, it had said a 7 was in stock]. I said OK as I needed it, but on the assistant reaching up to the box, he noticed that Volantex double mark their boxes with Ex6 & Ex7 on the reverse, and this box had the Ex7 box ticked.

GOUD-4's Ex6 Transmitter

I eventually found out what was causing the remote signal issue.

When I had bought the transmitter, I needed to open it up to switch over (via internal switch) from left to right spring loaded stick movement control. On opening up the casing I found that the antenna wire had been crushed by a screw and was broken.

Broken antenna wire, was crushed by screw

The seller sent me a new transmitter….. minus another receiver (unfortunately), but whilst waiting, I had attempted to fix the broken antenna by swapping it for another. It worked, but at the time I didn’t fully test it, extended use. Hence why the signal issues didn’t come apparent. So I had to swap over to use the new transmitter……and all’s working fine now. Tho I think the problem may lye with the battery pack…??

R5-D4’s Ex7 Transmitter

Whilst packing up at the end of R5’s last event @thegalleries , the dome motor started acting up?? It wouldn’t respond to the transmitter so i had to just shut it down. Over the next few days/weeks I tried to troubleshoot the problem by swapping over wires, using other channels to see if it would control the dome motors speed controller, which was possible. I even swapped out the stick assembly unit for another, but no success. I used a multimeter to also check contacts, these gave good readings. So I assumed that the fault was with the receiver, so ordered a new one. I was disappointed once installed that it wasn’t the problem at all.

So with no resolution, looks like I need to buy a new transmitter.

3D printing: SD card Sound board holder

 So i needed brackets/holders for the components for GOUD-4’s sound system.

Some i found on Thingiverse:

• The amp bracket
• The voltage regulator bracket

….the others I had already drawn up, like the mini voltage regulator. Next up tho was a bracket for the SD Sound board card reader. This is the now discontinued Sparkfun model that’s continued unbranded, to be produced and sold on eBay.

It took about four attempts and designing the bracket to both enclose, support and be a good secure fit for the board. I made a cut out in the rear to help with pin identification. There’s a lip on one end that the board clips under to ensure it doesn’t come out.

GOUD-4 project update

 So after the event at The Galleries, Bristol. There were a few things I wanted to sort out with G4.

These I’ll be covering on this Blog and the Mouse Droid forum, as GOUD-4’s Blog doesn’t seem to attract much interest/traffic. I’ll be transferring all of the build details over onto this Blog as a new ‘page’.

• Sound system set up.
• Panel activation….
• 3D new parts.

3D printing:

I needed a new bracket/holder for the new ESC (electronic speed controller). So I measured it up and drew up a suitable holder, which also incorporated the on/off switch.

Also drawn up a speaker bracket, just need to print it.

Sparkfun sound card bracket:

I drew up this bracket to hold the SD card reader sound card.

I already had a bracket holder for the voltage regulator.

Transmitter/receiver:

I eventually found out what was causing the remote signal issue.

See Transmitters - Volantex Exmitter's post for details.

Sound system:

I had started this a while back, but was pressed for time to complete. Now it’s time to finish what I started. Been waiting on a relay switch that can be activated via the transmitter, similar to how R5’s sound system is triggered. I’ve soldered up the connectors, I next need to fit all the components onto a board and find a spot to install it.

Top Panel opening:

I also have the top opening panel to sort out. The bracket is printed and the servo is fitted into it. Its then just a case of connecting it up to the receiver.

GOUD-4 : Blog link is now live

 

My build Blog is now up and has its first post. Interested in following my progress, see the update below. click this link for my build: www.goud4mousedroid.blogspot.com

UPDATE:

I’ve now added this full build to this Blog.

It can be found at the top, in the ‘pages’ section or by clicking on this link:

https://r5-d4astromechdroid.blogspot.com/p/goud-4-messenger-droid-solo-asws.html?m=1

Mouse Droid for 2021.......GOUD-4 version [Solo]

This project has been sat on my shelf since 2019!

Decided that this needs doing. But rather than it get lost like some of my other projects, I’ve decided to create its own Blog.

Update coming soon with link :)

Another project.....?

A friend from work gave me this a few years back, (thanks Steve), but didn’t have time to work on it. I still don’t have much free time lol, but just enough to make a start on it so that by the time it’s cleaned up I'll have decided what I'm going to build.

I did find a stone wedged between the gear and the belt, which explained why the teeth are a mess and the belt ultimatly broke.

Good news is that I have now tracked down the information needed to repaire the broken parts and move this projecct forward.