ingenious way of constructing an android

Thanks, Pogo -- I hadn't seen that one, and it is really neat.  I'm
curious to see how well it will work -- will the motors be strong
enough?  And will the opposing pairs of motors turn at close enough to
the same rate to not burn each other out?  Can't wait to see the results.

That Polymorph (Shapelock) stuff looks really interesting.  I do like
how he's able to make pretty much any shape he wants, and even add to an
existing part.  I've been agonizing over how to build my android frame
(though I did finally buy some aluminum angle and a metal cutoff wheel
for my Dremel -- I'll be trying those soon).  Maybe I should try
Shapelock and wood, as he's done here.  It certainly simplifies the "how
do I mount this" problem.

Though on the other hand, if you embed your motors directly in the
Shapelock like that, you're going to have a dickens of a time replacing
one if it wears out or needs upgrading.  Still, it's a cool material,
and probably worth experimenting with.

Thanks for the link!

- Joe

--
"Polywell" fusion -- an approach to nuclear fusion that might actually work.
Learn more and discuss via:  <http://www.strout.net/info/science/polywell/>

This sounds like "Friendly Plastic", an  product sold in craft stores
for making your own jewlery. It comes in numeous colors, including
metalic ones.

I had a friend who made a puppet using Friendly Plastic years ago.
After about 10 years it became brittle and fell apart.  I've read one
comment from another puppeteer that the company did improve the
product since its earlier years. Of course, the product used in the
robot is named Polymorph, so it may be a very different product as far
as performance is concerned.

The big question is if the product really is durable and strong enough
for the tasks he is using it for.  The Robot Studio says that form is
more important than function.  So, that may not be as big an issue for
them.

Joe Dunfee

Polymorph seems fairly stable stuff - ive had some on my window ledge
for a couple of years now and its held shape nicely, hasnt yellowed or
embrittled. Its fairly flexible at <3mm thickness and its a bit of a
nightmare to add to, it just doesnt mold together well unless you get
both parts "runny" as it were. I can see it being useful for non-high
stress locations.