How much would it be? And what materials do I need to make a 28 movement animatronic?

[Beach Bear]

Edit: Oops! I meant to say 30 movement.

I would like to make a Studio C style animatronic. I am going to make the same movements but omit the body side leans since they are so slight and seem sorta useless to me. I would like to start off with about 10 movements and add more over the years. The most important movements are what I want to start with like eyes left, eyes right, mouth, nose up, head left, head right, and maybe a arm raise or two.

I've also seen some debate on servos and air cylinders. I've heard that air cylinders are more expensive but have more power and can move more fluidly, quickly, and can move more weight. But servo's speed can be controlled, they don't require a air compressor and simply draw the power from the controller.

And how would I go about controlling these? I've heard that air cylinders require a air compressor, mac valves (one for every cylinder), controller for the mac valves, and a flow regulator.

So basically I would like to know which route I would go about, how much it would cost, and what I need and where I can get it from. Any other tips would also be nice.

I posted here since the people here know a lot about these kinds of things.

[Mr Munch88]

I am not an amimatronics expert, but for every movement you want (left/right--up down) you will need one servo/pnumatic
so, 1 for head left/right, 1 for head up/down, 1 for arm up/down, 1 for elbow bend, etc..... could get costly!

[PaulKTF]

For what you want, it would be out of the pricing range of any 16 year old, I can tell you that. Sorry.

[CEC_Tech]

Studio C Alpha CEC runs about 45K. It will run quite a bit to have the parts machined and get good cylinders, but hey! Give it a shot! We didn't get to the moon by just talking about it.

[Beach Bear]

Studio C Alpha CEC runs about 45K. It will run quite a bit to have the parts machined and get good cylinders, but hey! Give it a shot! We didn't get to the moon by just talking about it.
Will do. That's why I am cutting out two movements. LOL! That should save about 60-200 dollers. I've decided to use Servos since they are cheaper and you don't need a air compressor just a controller. Would you know of any websites that sell controllers to get started? And also do they make linear servos? You know the rod things, sorta like air cylinders but servoey.

EDIT: Also, what kinds of servos will be strong enough to do what. And moving the entire body may create a dilemma. Since, I have heard servos can only move 2 pounds. And the entire body may even up at least being 3.
Since it will be quite hard to make a mouth movement with a dial servo. Don't know the official name for them by the way.

For what you want, it would be out of the pricing range of any 16 year old, I can tell you that. Sorry.
Yes, if you are willing to just throw away your dream. I am going to see this through to completion. Even if it takes me years to get the money to complete it. Who knows? I might get donations in the future from some company or I don't know. Kinda highly doubt it though.


I am not an amimatronics expert, but for every movement you want (left/right--up down) you will need one servo/pnumatic
so, 1 for head left/right, 1 for head up/down, 1 for arm up/down, 1 for elbow bend, etc..... could get costly!

No offence but, I knew that already. But your input is still much appreaciated.

[zeekeroo]

if you are willing to just throw away your dream. I am going to see this through to completion. Even if it takes me years to get the money to complete it. Who knows? I might get donations in the future from some company or I don't know. Kinda highly doubt it though.

As Billy Bob would say:
"Yeah, and ya can't listen to people like Rolfe who have nothing to contribute but their negative comments!"
(Faith Showtape, or is it dreams?)

So really-- best wishes, from one dreamer to another!

[SlapHappy]

Haha, I was actually planning to make a Studio C replica once I'm done with my Chuck walkaround! :D It'd be like a massive ball-jointed doll that I can position however, but that's a different story. ^^

Now onto your project! There's a lot of fine-line things, but you'll basically need:
-air supply
-aluminum or steel for the frame
-nuts n' bolts
-plastic for the form around the frame
-an air cylinder for each movement (www.bimba.com)
-various air hoses
-valves
-pneumatic manifolds
-some kind of control system
-cosmetics (faux fur, fabrics, latex rubber, mold making materials)

Of course, that would be for a pneumatic system, I'm not quite sure how much weight servos can control, and I imagine getting powerful ones can be very expensive, unless you're building a mini-chuck, hehe. For more info, I'd check out this book: http://www.bpesolutions.com/refroducts.html#anchor761570 I own a copy myself, and it's got some good examples of how both pneumatic and servo-controlled animatronics can be set up. If you were closer to me, I'd gladly help out! Maybe I can aid you with the cosmetics or something.

Oh and regarding the 45K cost of Studio C, I'm sure yours won't cost nearly that much. You have to figure that's the cost of the ENTIRE set up, lights and all, and CEC inc is also paying for the labor more than likely.

Best of luck with this project! Let me know if you have other questions, I may be able to help. ^^

[CEC_Tech]

You can Try MCM electronics, Grainger, Mouser, they all have different things you can use. Although for servos / pneumatics, you can find most of what you need at graingers. I would definitely use the servos for facial features, wrist movements, .etc. Pneumatics for the rest. The robot's are really heavy.

The body parts definitely need to be made from aluminum. I think Bimba cylinders is still around. It's definitely going to be a hassle to find good suppliers for the parts you'll need.

This could get interesting. Please make a blog or something so we can follow your progress. I can help you in certain areas if you need it as well.

Good Luck!

[Beach Bear]

You can Try MCM electronics, Grainger, Mouser, they all have different things you can use. Although for servos / pneumatics, you can find most of what you need at graingers. I would definitely use the servos for facial features, wrist movements, .etc. Pneumatics for the rest. The robot's are really heavy.

The body parts definitely need to be made from aluminum. I think Bimba cylinders is still around. It's definitely going to be a hassle to find good suppliers for the parts you'll need.

This could get interesting. Please make a blog or something so we can follow your progress. I can help you in certain areas if you need it as well.

Good Luck!

Will do. But it may take up to a year for me to get started. Since I am a unemployed minor, and my parents are having some financial issues.

[captslappy]

Making a full character is a huge undertaking and from the sounds of it you have never done anything like this. Might I suggest starting smaller first? Maybe build a single head with an operating mouth and go from there and add to it. This is a long term project and you will probably have a lot of trial and error. Over time you will learn better ways to do things and find out what does and doesn't work.

[Beach Bear]

Making a full character is a huge undertaking and from the sounds of it you have never done anything like this. Might I suggest starting smaller first? Maybe build a single head with an operating mouth and go from there and add to it. This is a long term project and you will probably have a lot of trial and error. Over time you will learn better ways to do things and find out what does and doesn't work.

Thanks for the words of wisdom. It's much appreciated. But that was indeed what I was going to do. I was going to start with the body since it can be the least complicated for movements like a arm raise and body turn. So this would probably be my starting movement list:

I'd probably do this with all or mostly servos since I would have to buy a air compressor, mac valves, air hoses and cylinders. If I use Servos, I would simply need wires, servos, and a controller.

Head:
Mouth
Eyes Left
Eyes Right
Eyelids Up
Eyelids Down
Head up

Body:
Body Left
Body Right
Arm Raise Left
Arm Raise Right
Body lean (Not sure if there are any servos powerful enough to complete this movement)

Misc:
Foot tap

[Isabella Price]

I think this is a great idea, and something I've been quite interested in as well! I'd love to see your progress once you start!

[Beach Bear]

I think this is a great idea, and something I've been quite interested in as well! I'd love to see your progress once you start!

M'kay. The only issue I would have is making cosmetics. But, you make masks and stuff right? Maybe I could pay you in the future. But anyways, I should be getting a job finally in September. My local CEC has a new manager and we have a lot of in common and I think she might hire me in September.

[Isabella Price]

M'kay. The only issue I would have is making cosmetics. But, you make masks and stuff right? Maybe I could pay you in the future. But anyways, I should be getting a job finally in September. My local CEC has a new manager and we have a lot of in common and I think she might hire me in September.

Yep! I'd love to help you out with the cosmetics whenever you need them. :) And, that's awesome! I hope you get the job! I haven't had any luck at my local CEC.

[Beach Bear]

Yep! I'd love to help you out with the cosmetics whenever you need them. :) And, that's awesome! I hope you get the job! I haven't had any luck at my local CEC.

I just realized I said September, meant november... But I wish you luck. Dont give up. I didnt get this far by giving up. :D

[Isabella Price]

I just realized I said September, meant november... But I wish you luck. Dont give up. I didnt get this far by giving up. :D

Thank you! :3

[Beach Bear]

Thank you! :3
Your welcome.