Bazzack and I have been having a bit of a conversation about building lifesize BB-8s locally, and were wondering who else in NZ might be interested in collaborating in such a project for themselves?
The BB-8 Builders group, an off-shoot of the R2 Builders group (of which Bazzack and I are both longstanding members, and through which we got lots of great info and support in building our respective astromechs), has released for non-commercial use, all of the STL files to print the BB-8 dome, dome details, and body details. It's therefore "just" a matter of getting access to a 3D printer of adequate specs. Using local 3D printer service providers, or contracting other US prop-makers, would come in at something like $720 for the 60-ish hours of printing time required, so it would be great (and should be feasible) to find a cheaper solution.
A local plastic shop, Cambrian Plastics, manufactures the correct size (500mm diam) acrylic spheres for the body, at a shade over $60 per hemisphere. http://cambrianplastics.co.nz/product/domes/
NZ BB-8 Builders?
- MattG
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4921
- Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:46 am
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: Auckland
NZ BB-8 Builders?
Matt G
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
- mdb
- Captain
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:48 am
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
I'm definitely keen, BB8, the little mouse droids, or Chopper have all been on my would like to list And I just found someone who has done a mouse droid with little mouse driver. Might just make a mousie anyway...
But yeah, apparently 3D printing through the library is very cheap, might work out more reasonable as I think they have a few of the same kind of printer across the city. I know one of their machine which usually gets supplied with a silver monofilament is capable of more fine details. I'm looking at maybe printing some lightsabers as I've had a chance to handle results specific to those machines and they are very sturdy yet light.
http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN ... paces.aspx
They even have a spreo robot... ummm... (I think they mean Blender not Blendr.. I'll email Peggy and let her know I need to do a follow up debrief after my workshops anyway
But yeah, apparently 3D printing through the library is very cheap, might work out more reasonable as I think they have a few of the same kind of printer across the city. I know one of their machine which usually gets supplied with a silver monofilament is capable of more fine details. I'm looking at maybe printing some lightsabers as I've had a chance to handle results specific to those machines and they are very sturdy yet light.
http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN ... paces.aspx
They even have a spreo robot... ummm... (I think they mean Blender not Blendr.. I'll email Peggy and let her know I need to do a follow up debrief after my workshops anyway
- oota goota
- High Colonel
- Posts: 1908
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 12:08 am
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: Taranaki
- Contact:
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
would the 3d printed dome be strong enough? I'm a bit sceptical of using printed objects as the finished product. I'd be tempted to do a glass copy of the print after clean up
- MattG
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4921
- Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:46 am
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: Auckland
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
I haven't analysed the full design, and understand your caution, but I'm reasonably confident based on the number that have been made/are being made using the same pool of component files. The dome has four quarters for the main surfaces, and a number of superficial and underlying structural rings.oota goota wrote:would the 3d printed dome be strong enough? I'm a bit sceptical of using printed objects as the finished product. I'd be tempted to do a glass copy of the print after clean up
The FB group is here, for anyone interested in joining, and seeing other people's builds. https://www.facebook.com/groups/BB8BuildersClub
Matt G
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
- badges2nz
- High Colonel
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:35 am
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: Otaki
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
I have been following the you tube series from Xrobots.co.uk and find this quite interesting with his build and progress.
It would be nice to have one as it would be a slightly cheaper option to R2 that i would like as well.
It would be nice to have one as it would be a slightly cheaper option to R2 that i would like as well.
Doomsday and Armageddon got together and had a baby and man is it ugly.
- Jay
- Ensign
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2014 7:09 am
- Country: NZ
- Location: Auckland
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
This sounds interesting.
I'd love an R2 unit but being large and expensive makes it a challenge at this point.
A BB-8 might be a good compromise. Especially if the cost is spread out over the build period.
I also have access to 3D software and am slowly investing in workshop tools (drill press, welder, bench sander, hand tools, air brushes).
I'd love an R2 unit but being large and expensive makes it a challenge at this point.
A BB-8 might be a good compromise. Especially if the cost is spread out over the build period.
I also have access to 3D software and am slowly investing in workshop tools (drill press, welder, bench sander, hand tools, air brushes).
- Bazzack
- Colonel
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:14 am
- Country: NZ
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
My initial (a bit too quick) look at the BB-8 Builders club spec led me to believe they were working off a 500mm sphere.MattG wrote: A local plastic shop, Cambrian Plastics, manufactures the correct size (500mm diam) acrylic spheres for the body, at a shade over $60 per hemisphere. http://cambrianplastics.co.nz/product/domes/
But it appears that it's actually 506mm!
A very small difference, but could cause big issues with the 3D files?
- MattG
- Site Admin
- Posts: 4921
- Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:46 am
- Country: New Zealand
- Location: Auckland
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
Just a scale adjustment required, to 98.8%, apparently. http://astromech.net/forums/showthread. ... post337677Bazzack wrote:...A very small difference, but could cause big issues with the 3D files?
Matt G
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
My Trade/Want List
Website: www.SWNZ.co.nz
Facebook: Facebook.com/StarWarsNZ
Twitter: @StarWarsNZ
- Bazzack
- Colonel
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:14 am
- Country: NZ
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
Excellent!MattG wrote:Just a scale adjustment required, to 98.8%, apparently. http://astromech.net/forums/showthread. ... post337677Bazzack wrote:...A very small difference, but could cause big issues with the 3D files?
- Bazzack
- Colonel
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:14 am
- Country: NZ
Re: NZ BB-8 Builders?
Just saw one of the other builders mention times of approx 50-60 hours for the dome alone. And 500-600 hours for all parts!!MattG wrote: Using local 3D printer service providers, or contracting other US prop-makers, would come in at something like $720 for the 60-ish hours of printing time required, so it would be great (and should be feasible) to find a cheaper solution.
Totally different to what the FAQ says, and a bit scary.
Need to investigate more. Obviously it will depend on the printer, but it's making me think more and more about the option of buying a printer....
However another interesting post I saw on the BB8 fbook page today showed a cast resin dome that had been taken off a 3D printed one. Looked great, and apparently lighter.
I've never cast anything in my life apart from a fishing line, but it would certainly be an effective and fast way of creating copies right?