Clear domes

At some point in the past, a link was posted here for (relatively) cheap clear plastic domes to be used as a robot head. These are actually bird feeder covers, now sold at birdfeeding.com:

http://216.247.247.169/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=Bird+Feeding+Accessories At $35 for an 18" dome, it's about 1/2 the price I've seen elswhere for things like camera domes. These will have a hole at the top, while the camera domes have a lip around the rim to fasten it down.

I was wondering if anyone had actually bought one of these and could give feedback as to how it worked. One thing I'm interested in is how clear the plastic is. The description says it is UV stabilized, and it looks a bit tinted in the picture.

Reply to
Christopher X. Candreva
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http://216.247.247.169/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=Bird+Feeding+Accessories>

I haven't used these - But I HAVE used:

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The prices are about the same (depending on dome thickness) and they'll do custom sizing. The domes also have flanges (you can specify the size).

The only drawback is that there is a minimum order of $60.00 -- I just ended up buying two domes (about 16"). Because these are custom jobs, you need to allow some turnaround time to get your order.

You can see one in my office mounted on one of my robots -- no pics, you'll need to use the teleoperated robot link below. The robot with the dome is to the left of the desk at the end of the room.

Hope that helps -- taFkaks

Reply to
The Artist Formerly Known as K

http://216.247.247.169/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=Bird+Feeding+Accessories

Also, as was pointed out to me earlier, the dome looks squashed when viewed through the robot. Actually, however, it is perfectly hemispherical -- I just need to fix the aspect ratio of the camera client.

Cheers -- tafkakS

Reply to
The Artist Formerly Known as K

: The only drawback is that there is a minimum order of $60.00 -- I just

Thanks -- I had seen these, but I only need one, so the $60 min makes it for all practical purposes $60 for 1. Unless someone else is looking for one also, and they'll ship to different addresses on the one 'order'.

: You can see one in my office mounted on one of my robots -- no pics, : you'll need to use the teleoperated robot link below. The robot with the : dome is to the left of the desk at the end of the room.

Took a while, but I got over to it. :-)

Reply to
Christopher X. Candreva

The bird guard domes are indeed super clear but at the top of the dome is the connector for a rod that holds the cover. Also there is writing engraved at the top of the dome. We use these domes for R3 droids. Here is a pic.

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http://216.247.247.169/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=Bird+Feeding+Accessories>

Reply to
Andrew Schwartz

Andrew Schwartz wrote: : The bird guard domes are indeed super clear but at the top of the dome is : the connector for a rod that holds the cover. Also there is writing : engraved at the top of the dome. We use these domes for R3 droids. Here is : a pic.

:

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Thanks -- that looks good. The hole isn't a real problem, I figure I can use it for mounting something - an antenna, blinking light :-).

About where and how big is the writing ?

Reply to
Christopher X. Candreva

The writing is in a circle 2.5 to 3 inches from the center of the dome. Its just some frosted writing that is easily sanded off and then made clear with a little heat from a cigarette lighter.

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Reply to
Andrew Schwartz

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Cool dome! Got a pic of the entire R3 as well?????? And is that one of those 'plasma lamps' sitting in the 'eye'??

Reply to
Ray

Don't have the R3 finished but do have a working R7. Yes that's a plasma lamp as the main eye. Lots of Droid talk here:

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Andy

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Reply to
Andrew Schwartz

Does anyone know of a good source for 5"-7" clear plastic domes?

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Reply to
tgray

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Sorry about reposting, but does anyone know of a source for 5"-7" clear plastic domes, for smaller robots?

Reply to
tgray

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Hope that helps -- taFkaks

Reply to
The Artist Formerly Known as K

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.

Reply to
tgray

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