3D printed badge display’s - RED CUP

 

This is a special badge display I designed to include a very unique pin. A Red Cup one. This pin was given to a small group of Droid Builders by Mike F, to commemorate a special event we were all connected with.

This 3D stl file will only be available to those in the group.

#ifyouknowyouknow 😉

Throwback Thursday: Red Cup Wrap 2017

Our services were requested by Lee.T as ‘special droid servers’ for a wrap party event, back in 2017.

This was a great honour to attend and we got to show everyone our ‘driving skills’ as well as getting to rub shoulders with cast/film celebs…😄. Once our duties were finished we were then able to enjoy the rest of the night.

Can’t believe it’s been four years!!

Another mini project 1.3 - ‘Trading Card Dispenser’

So I have now named this project 'TCD' lol.

Monday I started to design up a 'box' to put the electronics in for ease. This was drawn up in AutoCAD Inventor. In my last post regarding switch relays, it had given me an idea on how this could also apply to this project.

'switch' - update:
I printed a lower plate that the switch could fit into. I wired a switch to activate an LED when the pressure was released.But the pressure required to keep the switch down wasn't achievable, so I'll have to think of another position to locate a switch.

Back to the electronics box:
After a few redesigns and only a few actual test 3D prints, I'm really happy with the finished box. Here's my instagram post picture.

Really please that the two clips I designed actually work [on my second test print lol]. It's the fine tuning of the sizes, plus here, minus there so that the tolerances fit when they come together.

Ultimaker Cura image on the printer plate

And here's the soldering up of the components that will fit inside it.

This version is for my first attempt, but this could be customised to by controlled by other methods. In the above picture, you have the 'remote control' [bottom left], a 'timer relay' [top orange box] and a 'micro voltage regulator' [right]. Not shown in this picture will be an LED to indicate power. At some point I want to fit another [probably a remote LED] to indicate via the micro switch.

Another mini project 1.2 ‘Trading Card Dispenser’

So to date I have printed of a few different component versions, trying to iron out bits and pieces. As I typed this yesterday afternoon, the 3D printer is printing three new upgrade parts after another weekend of testing, thoughts and ideas.

Pack 1 of o'rings came yesterday and the results looked promising when tested.
Pack 2 of o'ring should be here this weekend (though I think it’s the wrong size) along with the mini magnets and hopefully anything else I've ordered lol.

Mini magnets & a spare servo arrived. Can’t get over how small these magnets are!

I had the idea of adding a micro switch and LED for indication purposes, so this went into the upgrades that are being printed. Results: worked in principle but not enough force to activate it, so a reposition will be needed.

Due to testing and time, these prints are only at 0.2 layer height, so save on print time and so I can take them home to work on them lol.

Another mini project 1.1 ‘Trading Card Dispenser’

Been revising and improving this project on CAD and 3D test printing components for fit.
I’ve already moved on from gear motors to a modified micro servo. Am still waiting on components to arrive from China etc these should hopefully arrive in the next week or so.

Found these micro magnets on eBay that I just had to get them to try out. 1mm diameter x 1mm length!!

Been working on the electronics and have this almost sorted. Found out a few things and am waiting on delivery of some replacement valve pots for one of the boards.

Next up is a new ‘wheel’ to be designed, possibly one with an o'ring to fit on.

Another mini project 1.0 ‘Trading Card Dispenser’

This project is inspired my Mike F. originally from way back in 2016, when he brought this project he had made along to the screening of the Rogue One event at Milton Keynes cinema. I’ve always wanted to have a go at making one, but the ability and accessibility of a 3D printer was not an option at the time.

Recently I’ve seen these being offered for sale, but the price isn’t something I can justify, especially when I can design, print & build one myself lol. So decided now was the time to have a go.

I’m already on main body version no.2 lol and have been digging around in my storage boxes for items I have that may be of use. I’ve also ordered some springs which will be here in a few weeks.

I've also been on ebay looking for other components....more in a few weeks.

UK R2D2 Builders Club - Summer 2019

For the second year members from all over the UK & some from over seas,

joined up for the Builders Event of the year.

 UK R2D2 Builders Club Weekend 2019 

This event is for the builders (& families) to attend and spend (for some) the weekend, catching up, introduction to new members, looking at & talking about Astromech etc.

There were presentation talks given by fellow members of the club on programming, 3D drawing & printing as well as some special guests, some of whom you will probably of seen at conventions, and also on there You-Tube channels etc. Lee Towersey & Matt Denton to name drop just two. There was also a live link-up with some of Americas fellow R2 Builders!

It was a great opportunity to meet club members who some have only met on-line or at events attended by the club. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend, due to family holiday, so no photos, though these can be found on the public accessible Facebook club page.


New Droids: Astromech's, BB8's, a few MSE-6's (mouse droids) and just a few 'A-LT Utility Droids'.

Now, for those not in the know, these were first seen (very briefly) & used on the film 'Rogue One'. These are track driven droids unlike the wheeled Astromechs.

They were then re-purposed for use on 'Solo - a Star Wars Story' and can be seen on Dryden Vos's ship the 'First Light'.......

PA-LT4

..........as well as in the Pyke control centre on Kessel (below pictures & links).

P6B-LT2

T1M8-LT2

These 1:1 scale droids have become a little bit famous in the R2 building community and thanks to Mr Baddeley designing up a smaller scaled version, builders were able to 3D print and remote control them.....for a spot of racing lol. For more, check out the UK R2 Builders Club, via Facebook. There's also a video over on Fantha tracks, You Tube page.

Mr Baddeley also has a Facebook page for his 3D work. So check it out if your interested in seeing more of his and others work.

New Book ordered - ILM presents 'Making Solo' by Rob Bredow

Looking forward to reading this one,
it's on order from Amazon (the cheapest available online) in the UK.
(I'm not affiliated with amazon, just attached link for help.)

Ron Howard & Rob Bredow.... (MP)

PsyfoolRulez Customz - Solo - a Star Wars Story

I follow on Instagram & on Facebook 'PsyfoolRulez Customz'.

He does incredible paint jobs on not only droids, but other model kits as well,

like toy blasters, diaramas & helmets etc.

Yesterday he posted up on Facebook, his set of droids he's recreated using

different model kits, these are NOT the Disney Droid Factory set

you can buy from the Disney store as a four pack!

These are all pictures he posted up on his Facebook page.

Rogue One - two years on (2016-2018)

Can believe that I didn't post up pictures of the

Rogue One event we attended back in 2016!

So as a tribute, here's some of the photos taken on the day.

The UK R2D2 Builders Club,

(myself, Brad, Colin, Emma, Simon & Adam)

joined up with Joker Squad

to raise money for charity.

group picture

what do you mean you don't serve my kind!?!?!

Jedi, Wookiee & droids.....

~~~~~@@@@@@@~~~~~

I also forgot about this sticker on my old transmitter box.

Had to get it down to document a modification

I'd carried on to add the hand strap.

~~~~~@@@@@@@~~~~~

Following links to past posts......

Rogue One Print

Designed by Paul 'Wiz' Johnson.

Watching Solo at the cinema with my youngest.

Solo @ Milton Keynes - Saturday 26th May 2018

Early rise for the drive up to Milton Keynes Odeon IMax cinema, for the day's event.

Myself with R5, Mike with his M80 Glynn with his R2-PHT & Adam with his R2. We were joined my fellow R2D2 builders Chris W & later, Stuart B. Joker Squad were kitted up and ready to welcome the first catch of the day lol. Lots of people passed through and had their pictures taken. As usual some were a bit surprised to see us all. Chris has posted lots up on Instagram & also on the R2 Facebook page.

SPOILER FREE

Mid morning myself and Mike were allowed to store our droids safely in the projection room, where we also got the low down on how it all works. Then we went in to watch Solo, in IMax 3D!

There was a few more things spotted the second time of watching lol But for us, the biggest surprise was after the film had finished! Can’t say any more than that lol.

~~~

After the film, we powered up the droids and headed back down to the entrance foyer, where we rolled them around for photos and mischief with parents and kids alike lol.

We picked up some of the Solo cards, as these were free.

Later in the afternoon, we all got together for a group photo.

I had to say my goodbyes around 5pm as had to get back, for an early night, ready for my next event on Sunday.

The collection on the day raised for

Alexander Devine

(Children's Hospice)

was over £300.00!

UK R2 Builders - The Last Jedi @ Odeon IMAX 2017 - Event Report

Location: IMAX Odeon cinema, Milton Keynes
Groups:   UK R2D2 Builders Club & Joker Squad

An early start Saturday morning (R5 was already loaded up the night before). It was a crisp clear morning, stars were still out, no traffic on the motorway, tunes on the radio.... 😊

**This Event Report contains NO SPOILERS!!**

Arrived just after 9am (2 hour drive up), I met the others who were already unloaded & did the same. Then it was time for our viewing of The Last Jedi, in the IMAX screen. WOW!! I thought the film looked good when I saw it Thursday night with the kids, but the IMAX's depth of field, made the space scene's even more amazing!

Once out of the screening, we set up the droids to join the Joker Squad members who were trooping already. Just had time to say hi to fellow club member Stuart Bone, who was only able to attend for a few hours with his R2, but was good to see him out and about.

The rest of the day was then rolling around and having fun & photo's being taken.

 R5 & Matt's R2-D2

Just some of the Joker Squad group

Here more pictures, that were taken by fellow R2 Builder: Chris Williams.

The faces and the reactions speak for how great a time everyone had.

And here's a pics of some of us lol

Matt, Chris, Emma, Mike & Me.

Not in the pic's are Lee T & Adam S.

We all stopped for a sit down meal in TGI's, which was just next door, then back into the cinema for a last hour or so of fun, selfies, group pics and entertaining the visiting film go'ers.

We eventually finished up, loaded up and once Emma had cut the cake for Colin's birthday, we said our goodbyes and headed off home. Mine being the furthest, but as always, well worth it!

Checkout more pics of the event on Instagram using #astromech, #ukr2d2buildersclub #miltonkeynes as examples.

The combined efforts of the clubs,

we raised a grand total of £500!

For our chosen charity

UK R2 Builders - The Last Jedi @ Odeon IMAX 2017

** SPOILER FREE **

Members of the UK R2D2 Builders Club will be in attendance

at the Milton Keynes

Odeon IMAX cinema

on Saturday December 16th 2017

This is our third outing at the cinema

and again we'll be joining up with Joker Squad.

With 8 builders attending, this should be an extra special day for

visitors to the cinema on the day.

James R5-D4 Instagram link 👍