Design considerations

Today on Wednesday I'll explain couple of other things which I have to take into consideration with my projects. Not all of them are critical and have to be addressed now, but I'll try to explain them anyway.

1. Scale. 3D models are made 1:1 scale, already simplified. That way I am still able to measure and check critical dimensions, as they should be more or less the same on my 3D and on reference model, but having them already simplified will make whole process faster. I still haven't decided when I will scale them down - probably during sheets assembly, so all coloring will be done with full sized drawings. Target scale for models will be between 1:8 and 1:10 - I would rather do 1:8 to have bigger models and less details, so they will be actually doable, but if scaling is done as last step, I can always change it later on. Target is to have decent sized models of small robots (small robots have ~80cm, so 1:10 will give around 8cm model), and manageable sizes of big stuff (big ones are 4m in size, which makes massive 40cm model).

2. Small brothers. I decided that additionally to 1:10 robot, each one will be also available in simpler form, in 1:25 scale. That way small model can be given away, or kept in the office without much hassle.

3. Test assembly. For each model, before coloring step, I will make test assembly to check if dimensions are right - if something folds up nicely on screen, it doesn't mean it will fold up with real paper. Test assembly will be done without color, using other materials (especially glue) than normal models - test process doesn't have to be pretty, but it has to be fast.

4. Coloring. Will be done at the end, and I do not expect much problems - robots are generally mono colored anyway. Coloring at the end will allow me to check on test assembly if there are some areas where color changes have to be preserved across parts.

5. First model. Decided to make ABB's IRB 120 - smallest one. For couple of reasons actually - it will be simpler, faster and easier to make, and for sure I will mess something up - then it will be easier to rework in the future. Or maybe not, we'll see. Anyway, I do not know how long it will take me to make this model - right now I'm pretty busy, but in the end I want to get it done fast - it's always easy to start project, it's always hard to finish it properly. And .step files are available from ABB website. Second one - Mitsubishi RV-4, also tiny one - probably the smallest one I can make in 1:10 scale, with 250mm arms, so 25mm on model.

6. Upload. All models will be available on this blog in .pdf format, and I also plan to start github site just for finished models - it will be easier to find them. Of course, I know that there are probably less than five people interested in robots papercraft, but who knows - maybe someone will find it useful. For sure I will find it fun.


Best,

K.

Software for crazy projects

What software I'm using, to make a paper model:

1. Getting resources. Since I'll be making industrial robots paper models, it's quite easy - the best option is to get 3D drawing from manufacturer, in some sensible format - usually .step files are available to download. If not, then lot of photos where scale is kept or even measuring real life example is required. Since I'm able to get .step files, I will use FreeCAD (I'll try to put links to all software at the bottom of relevant posts), which looks like very nice tool, and it has measurements available, which is required. Other than that we do not need any features, so I'll not cover them.

2. Drawing in 3D. To make paper model, first I need to create 3D model. I decided to use SketchUp 8, as this is the version I'm familiar with. I know that I have FreeCAD available, but I do not want to start learning another program, which is much more complicated that it needs to be. Sketchup seems to have just enough features for model making, and is really easy to use, so I'll stick with that.

3. Flattening. After creating 3D model of a model, I need to flatten it, as it has to be printed out. Several tools are available, out of which I choose Flattery plugin for Sketchup. It has some quirks, but in general I found it simplest and fastest tool, even though it sometimes requires a lot of clicking, as it cannot unfold shapes by itself. Additionally it allows for re-joining of faces, which is quite handy.

4. Coloring and assembling sheets - this has not been decided yet. Gimp or Inkscape are my two first options - I've heard a lot of good things about Inkscape, and I'm familiar with Gimp, so I'll have to choose one. But this is a decision which has to be done later, so I don't worry about this very much.

Just as a test, and as an excuse to put some images into post, I tried to make simple model in Sketchup to see how it goes, and to remember how I should use it - I haven't done anything serious in couple of years now. For added fun - 5 minutes time limit on drawing. Ready, set, go.


Here's the result:

Not bad for a 5 minute run on midnight. Anyway, nothing more today, so this has to be enough. For Friday small update planned - should have basics of model outlined, at least that is the target.

Best,

K.

Update schedule

It's not the first time I start a blog. I hope it's the first time that I will keep updating regularly, for longer that two weeks. My experience tells me that having schedule will help me, as it will require me to put stuff up - my personal target is to have 2 weeks of content prepared up front, so in case of disaster I can still catch up. So, current schedule:

Monday - major report from work currently in progress - design, test assembly, finishing or upload of model

Wednesday - highlights of fun models - not necessarily industrial stuff, but I'll try to keep it far from military stuff as I can. Or robot stuff - there's so much fun and amazing robots out there, it's worth sharing. If not highlight, then I'll post anything which I find interesting - my be you'll like it too.

Friday - small update of work in progress, or any other ranting related to my projects - no idea of I can make anything done during week.

Depending on how it works out, I'll adjust it as needed. Anyway, this means that tomorrow first large post of work in progress should be done - but I haven't started anything:) In that case I will list software which I'm using - maybe someone will find it interesting.

Beginnings

Couple of years ago idea popped to my mind - maybe I could create paper model from scratch - create 3D model, simplify it, flatten, color it properly, lay out sheets, all in hope that it can be turned into model. At that time I was doing some drawings in SketchUp - seemed that it would be suitable for this task, and easy enough that I would not have to spend two years learning it.

At the same time I switched my work - instead of working with machines from 70s, I started in highly automated enviroment with up to date technology. My jaw dropped when I first saw fully automatic line, with huge (that's what I thought at the time) robots handling parts without human supervision.

Somehow these two topics clicked and connected - maybe I could make paper model of industrial robot? The biggest problem was that I did not had any source material, and making models from pictures only is possible, but is doomed to be innacurrate. But this was years ago. Now I have what I need, so the only thing stopping me is myself.

Of course, I have no idea how to make such model, and I'm not the best model maker either. So it will be very challenging, yet I think it can be done and for sure I'll have a lot of fun making it.