Phase One Complete

Although I didn't model every single part, I think that I have enough information to start modelling the next revision which will be used for fabricating and assembling my WALL-E. I've already begun to remodel the head such that I can fabricate the pieces using a CNC router among other methods. This process will take a long time since I have to research what materials are available and not too expensive for this project. I will post updates as usual, but it might be a while between updates since most of the renderings might look the same as before.

Finally, I've done some sketching and tentatively, WALL-E will have an independent suspension for each leg with a spring damper and perhaps a hard spring for the camber adjustment. We'll see.. I might end up taking out the camber spring and replacing it with a solid arm.

Anyways, time for some sleep!

More Drivetrain Updates

I'm starting to get into a groove now... here's a render of the lower track guide:

..and here's a render of what I have so far (I removed the inner and outer elements for each eye because the current default material is a solid):

Update: And here's WALL-E with his new treads!

Drivetrain Update

Here's a quick update on the drivetrain so far:

As you can see, I didn't change the front wheel yet and the backsides of these wheels are not correctly modeled at all. Also, the bolt circles will need to be adjusted on the backside. It will probably not end up as through holes in the final version but these are issues I will deal with on the second revisions with fabrication in mind.

I'll probably end up finishing the lower track guide tonight and that'll be it for today.

Update: Here's a render of WALL-E so far. I kind of just slapped the arms and legs onto WALL-E so they are not accurate at all but it gives some sense of the overall shape.

Here's a cross sectional view just in case anyone was wondering. As you can see, I haven't worked on his internal support structure yet, but it'll be coming soon!

Update 2: Here's another render with better lighting (I forgot which render settings I was using before and it seemed a little off) and transparent outer elements for his eyes.

Update 3: Oops.. it looks like his body is transparent as well.. uhh, I'll fix that later.

All right, time for some sleep.

Wheels/Gears Update

I did some quick modelling of the wheels and gears in the drivetrain.

I think I will tweak the rim size of the front wheel to make the bezel thinner. I will also overlay an image of the actual drivetrain and see how the sizes compare to each other.

With the exception of the head, these parts are solely for show and so I will have to redesign them such that I can fabricate these parts later.

So, once I get the sizes and shapes to my liking, I will go ahead and design the drivetrain chassis: the rod connecting the front and rear wheels, the rod connecting the two tensioners, the main vertical chassis, and finally the lower track guide.

I should be able to get those done probably in the next two or three days. Then I will be go on to the suspension which might take a couple of days as well...

Starting Back Up

Hello... I'm starting back up again. I had a little bit of the suspension done but it seemed easier to start with the gears and treads before getting there.. so, here's the update so for today.

It's not much, but it's a start. I didn't have time to work on the BnL logo in the middle but I'll do that tonight and perhaps finish the smaller gear and the tension rollers.

Anyways, time for Disneyland!