Updated 6/08

ASTROMECH SIT 'N SPIN TUTORIAL

My goal is to create full automation on a tight budget. You'll see that I take consideration to keep costs down and maintain high quality. This is demonstrated by the first stage of automation - using a $10 sit 'n spin for the dome rotation mechanism!!!! Once you have all your parts, you'll see that the dome is cast completely hollow which allows for electronics installation. The body is also completely hollow. As of 2.08 the body casting has a tighter perimeter lip. Start by shaving it down flush. Before you begin creating a flat rim, install your bottom middle boot platform as shown:

ASTROMECH AUTOMATION !!!

PART I

A piece of MDF works just fine as your bottom table. Cut it to fit tightly

Then bond it in place using epoxy, resin, bondo, fiberglass, whatever you'd like. Here it's bonded in place using resin.

Don't worry about the height of the inner table. The height can be adjusted later using wood stock. As you can see, this table serves a dual purpose: 1.) It will support the middle leg, 2.) it provides a shelf to contain the batteries.

Body skirt trimmed flush, bottom shelf bonded to the body from the underside for extra strength.

Trim any excess material down flat using an orbital sander, don't trim any of the lip away.

Take measurements, then cut yourself a plastic ring (don't use any plastic thinner than .125 guage), and superglue in place.

From the INTERIOR of the body, use more bondo, fiberglass, or resin to beef up the lips of the plastic ring. You want this to be not only bonded in place at the edges, but packed ALL THE WAY to the inner rim so it can be load-bearing. I used alot of resin in this demonstration. The ring is strong enough to stand on!!

Now that you're body is prepped and has its needed internal AND top rim structure (at least for now) we can move on to the SIT N SPIN!!!

The Sit n spin I acquired came in a lovely shade of lime green. These are on ebay constantly - don't pay more than about $12 for one. This particular unit is one of the OVAL designs but don't fret. The guts of EVERY sit n spin is circular.

You want to separate the mechanism from all else - so break out those POWER TOOLS!!!!

Once cut out and primered, here's how the sit n spin sits inside the dome ring. Now we need to lock down the bottom casing and allow the bearings to move freely.

TO BE CONTINUED..........

Protocol Droid automation project

Here's how I built my bracketing. Simply 3 shaped pieces of MDF adhered around the perimeter of the Sit N' Spin bearing.

This bracketing system will allow for ROCK SOLID stability while the DC motor does it's thing.

Feel free to email me and I'll share any information I have. The plan involves using DC motors with a wizard board controller to automate the dome movement and the boot motors. Total cost on this project shouldn't exceed about $500 The RC controller will control all movement and mobility, including lights and sound functions.

Resin and fiberglass kits