"Leap of Faith" Fundraiser

Last night, R2-D2 and I had the privilege of being a part of the Leap of Faith Fundraiser for John Sovis, the brother of our local ABC News anchor, Cindy Michaels.  John has bile duct cancer and has sought alternate cancer treatment that insurance will not cover.  

Cindy organized local musical talent Chris Ross and our own Bob Marley, a local comedian who has been on everything from the late night talk shows to his own special on the Comedy Channel.  Many local businesses and individuals donated fantastic items for the silent auction.  R2-D2 and I were asked to be greeters for guests to the event.

R2-D2 has spent the past two weeks at the medical center, hanging out in the office between patient visits on the Pediatrics Floor. With the help of a co-worker, I had R2 all packed up for the trip down to the Bangor Civic Center.

We arrived very early since the Civic Center and Auditorium usually have many events going on, so I wasn't sure how close to the door I could park, etc etc.  It turns out that things went very smoothly.  The new facility that will replace this one is currently under construction.  After cautiously driving R2 thru the front doors, I can only imagine what a relief the new facility will be for those who use wheelchairs!  The doors were narrow and it required some gentle maneuvering to get inside.  Once inside and setup, we went inside!

 

Prior to him taking the stage, Bob Marley came over to meet R2-D2 and chat.  Bob was impressed with R2 and pondered having such a sidekick on stage with him someday!  Ha!

 R2's projector impressed a lot of people, with the room darkened, the Princess Leia image really stood out when played.  A lot of people posed for pictures, one the wife of a serviceman in Afghanistan.  We hope he loved the email and pictures she sent!

After the show, it was time to pack up and head for home.  With the busy schedule we have had over the past few weeks, we have a few minor maintenance issues to sort out.  The netbook I use for R2 is having some battery-life issues and the backup one is still a bit too large to place inside...I keep snagging a wire or something!  The complicated life of a droid builder...overcoming the next technical challenge, day by day!
 

Star Wars The Phantom Menace 3D opening!

Two weeks ago, I got an email from my local Hoyt's movie theater inquiring about having R2-D2 over for the opening of Star Wars in 3D.  I explained that I thought it would be a great idea but an even better one if we could tier it into a charity fundraiser.  They were all for that and asked me which charity I had in mind.  I suggested the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), since they did so much for my God Son, Jake, before he passed away in 1995.  I have also had the honor or working with and meeting many CMN staff and children.  

We came up with a donation for photos with R2-D2.  Local businesses also donated some Star Wars related gifts, so the theater staff sold tickets for $5 each for those.  Again, all the proceeds going to CMN.

I was asked if I could do the midnight showing but I couldn't do that.  We decided to aim for the times where the kids would be at.  On Friday I brought R2-D2 over for the 7pm and 955pm shows.  We got to the theater at 3:45 so we could be in our designated spot for 4pm without dealing with any crowds.  Once in our spot, we had a wonderful CMN intern, Nikita, handle accepting donations and raffle tickets so I could focus on just operating R2 and answering questions.  We were in a roped in area so I didn't have any crowd control issues.

I can't say enough good things about the theater staff, especially Joe who was my liaison.  After doing charity events with R2 for a while now, sometimes you are just asked to show up and you're largely on your own to fend for yourself.  Other times, like this one, the hosts are amazing to work with.  Joe made sure I was all set unloading, setting up and assisted in escorting R2-D2 and I to go see the 7pm showing.  They also provided me with several free tickets to the show, which I shared with co-workers I knew were Star Wars fans.

One little surprise was an interview with the local ABC affiliate, WVII.  They wanted to do a live interview at 6:25pm.  The only problem I had with that was the netbook inside of R2 that provides all of R2's sounds and animatronics.  I was pushing the power threshold on it...I knew the netbook would shut down soon, most likely during the interview.  And sure enough, it did.  Just as the camera's red light went on!  The interview went well, I explained R2 had "stage fright" and we moved on to the "Why I built R2" line of questions and what can it do compared to the movie props.  

With the interview wrapped up from live TV, we let the kids waiting to take pictures go ahead and do so.  The reporter wanted to ask a few more on camera questions for the 11pm broadcast, so we did that for a few minutes.  Seeing myself on TV, I felt I talked too quickly...but everyone else thought it was good. 

One thing that was standing out in my mind all evening was that of my best friend, Jim, who passed away in December.  Jimmy was a movie fan to the nth power.  He was always into going to opening night.  He loved the feedback from the audience and loved film.  He got the biggest kick out of things, such as when Star Wars (A New Hope) came out with new and improved scenes, and how everyone cheered when the Death Star blew up.  He was a big part of my R2-D2 project, playing both fan and lead jester in his well-intentioned teasing.  He would have loved to have been in the theater when R2-D2 and I rolled in.

And roll in, we did.  And what kid hasn't dreamed of having his own R2-D2 sidekick?  We rolled into the theater and parked in the handicap-accessible spot.  Kids and adults swung around in their seats, smiled and pointed.  To be polite, I shut off R2's lights so they wouldn't be a distraction. 

How was the movie?  Well this is a long movie and the pace is pretty slow.  George Lucas has a lot of backstory to create and asides adding the useless character Jar-Jar Binks, does an OK job of it.  The 3D is done very well and tasteful, I think.  Some scenes you do not really notice it while in others, it really looks sharp.  To me, it added more depth, much like as a kid when you viewed those ViewMaster slides and felt like you could reach inside the view.  I was concerned the 3D efforts would be trying to outdo movies like Avatar but that isn't the case here.  And for a 13 year old movie, all those effects made in 1999 still look exceptional even by today's CGI standards.

I had snuck out during the movie with R2's netbook to let it recharge.  After the movie let out, with the help of the theater staff, drove R2 back to our designated spot.  I re-installed the netbook and had R2 making sounds again.  We had a very large crowd waiting to meet R2 and the donations kept coming in.  We stayed for the 955 showing and since we had a lot of people still wanting to meet R2, stayed until about 1030.  

We also did the 1230 pm matinee Saturday and for a very special young man, were able to have R2-D2 sit next to him and watch the movie together.  The look on that boy's face was priceless as they watched the movie.  For all those times my friends didn't "get" why I built this R2-D2, I wish they could see moments like that and have the answer.

It was a very, very long weekend for R2-D2 and I.  We didn't have any serious mechanical issues and despite the snowy/icey conditions Saturday, made it home safely.

Here's some more pictures:

YouTube Channel results for 2011

I have to admit, I started the Paul's R2-D2 YouTube Channel as a way to keep all the building tips organized.  I was really surprised when I took a look at all the views the videos were getting...

Re-working the CPU Arm system

Back in March of 2010, I began the process of installing the CPU Arm into R2-D2.  Over the next few months, I got the power antenna to work at making the probe extend and retract.  However, the trick in doing so wasn't reliable.  

That system had a problem with the plastic hose which caused some kinking and made it very difficult for the servo to move the arm up and down.  As a result, sometimes when the arm was retracted into the body, the servo was fighting the tension of the plastic tubing to stay upright.  This would cause tapping from inside R2...a pretty unique problem to solve!

Over the months, I found the Firgelli L16 100mm stroke actuator.  It only has about 5 pounds of force it can handle but for pushing a resin piece that weighs a few ounces, it should work!

I hollowed out the resin cpu arm to 1 inch diameter, which is enough for the actuator to fit inside with a bit of extra space.  I had two 1 inch diameter pieces cut and enough of the center removed for the actuator to not quite fit into.  To assure a snug fit, I used a file to remove a bit of material and now the actuator fits inside and stays centered.

Surrounding the shims with electrical tape keeps them properly aligned 

Then it was time to work on the tip of the probe.  I trimmed the end a bit since it was rounded.  I found a 10-24 thread female piece and bored out the holes to accommodate 4-40 size screws.  I drilled and tapped into the resin and now have it so that the adaptor simply bolts into position.

And here is what it looks like all put together...

The next challenge is to make a a way for that assembly to connect to the high power servo.  After a little trial and error...and a lot of thoughtful staring with a fresh pot of coffee, I came up with this...

At first glace, it looks like this entire assembly is a bit too tall...but we'll see!  More in a day or two!
 

Front skins re-done

During the summer, I spent about a month and a half dismantling the front skins very gingerl, sanding them, painting the outer layer and put them back together.

Its taken me a while to locate the pictures that detail this process but here they are, with some captions for guidance!

Step one, cover the painted surfaces with painter's tape, so that when it is time to clamp them together, they are not scratched or damaged

3M F9460PC VHB Adhesive Transfer Tape

VHB tape is pressure sensitive, so using a wallpaper seam roller (or something similar) is very handy

Seam roller

The outer skin, with the VHB tape on it, trimmed and ready for the tedious process of removing all that paper backing!

The prevent areas from pulling apart, get as many areas as possible.  It is very slow work!

The nerve-wracking part, lining everything up and clamping them together!  I used the coin slots as a guide and slowly worked my way to the edges

A trip to Staples and a few zillion tiny clamps are your best friends

Then the slow process of installing all the detail pieces again (a few days later)

Silicone is my favorite for attaching these pieces.  It absorbs a lot of vibration and shock...and when it is time to remove it, it isn't a nightmare to do so

The octagon port can be a challenge to line up but once there, clamp, silicone and walk away!

Doors re-installed

Sporting new skin

Remembering our best friend

Every R2-D2 Builder can share their own stories of the teasing and ribbing they have taken from people while they built their droids.  While it is mostly harmless teasing, we're all pretty used to it.  Let's face it, if I knew someone building a movie replica, I would be curious, intrigued and might jest a bit when the project seems to be taking a long time to complete.

My best friend, Jim MacArthur, was just that kind of friend.  Jim loved the idea and was pretty impressed at the parts and pieces that started to accumulate over the years.  However, to know Jim is to know that you just NEVER knew what he would say!  He was relentless at times!  However in all fairness, his teasing was hilarious.  He was like a big kid, he wanted to see this thing working!

And it took a long time.  I was pretty shy about drilling holes into parts that cost hundreds of dollars and took months to arrive.  My fellow New England builders would comment on my slow progress.  However as I learned more from other builders at our gatherings, my confidence to press forward grew.  I set a goal to have R2-D2 greeting the children at my parents' home for Halloween.  

I made it with time to spare.

Jim died on December 16th after a short illness.

I think one of the best ways to remember Jim and his love of this R2 is to re-post the article he wrote after spending that first R2-D2 appearance with me that Halloween.

Halloween show of The Force

by Jim MacArthur on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:57pm

Several years ago, when it seemed we all had more time than sense, my friend Paul Bussiere decided on a hobby. He decided to build his own full size R2-D2. It didn't have to just look right; it had to be as perfect as he could make it using the Star Wars movies as his only real reference.

Then he found the web site where several people were building R2-D2s and some of the similar, but different robots seen in the Star Wars movies. Some of my doubting friends (I have to admit to being one of them) rolled their eyes at the idea. Paul persevered. We would talk about doing something, like a night out at a favorite Buffalo wing spot. Paul sacrificed having to save money for one part or another.

Years went by. Fun opportunities with the friends came and went. Dedication a Jedi would envy to getting the little robot built. We jeer Paul something awful. "Looks like an expensive trash can." "That Dome looks like a great popcorn bowl." "Wow, opposite sex repellent." We were wrong. He continued to work. He documented his progress in a blog that became surprisingly popular. Tonight (2009 Halloween) was the Droid Debutante.

Adding to the surprise of the evening, the camera didn't self-destruct when taking a picture of me with R2.

On his parent's porch, lit by the traditional light to welcome Trick-or-Treat'ers was the little robot making his first public appearance. I say little, but it's about four feet tall and weighs about two-hundred pounds! Fully animated by remote control.

The neighborhood is very child friendly, so we all expected a heavy turnout of costumed characters hoping for munchies that are the dentist's worst nightmare. And they came... Paul's mother had to retire from fatigue after handing out piles of candy to hundreds of little monsters that came through.

One of the many Trick or Treaters that came to see Paul's R2-D2.

I arrived just as the home team's candy supply was running out. Little face after little face, awed at the familiar robot with its lights flashing, and talking in its familiar language of beeps, chirps and whistles. I had to run for more candy! I think R2's flashing lights meant he approved.

I know Paul wanted to use his creation to entertain mostly children. Tonight, even the adults were entranced by the 'Power of the Force' from the little robot's presence. Parents asked to take pictures of R2. Kids stopped in the middle of the traditional "trick or treat" enthralled by R2 making a little move, turning its head or speaking up in its droid language.

Probably my favorite picture of a Trick-or-Treater this Halloween (2009) Paul's R2-D2 showing his Star Power!

I have never seen so many children in one place. Each one in costume. Wave after wave of wide eyes coming to see the little movie star. They even continued to come to see him after we exhausted the candy supply, hoping for a glimpse and perhaps a quick photo. This was a night I will remember for a long time. Even though all I did was cheer and jeer the building process. Even though all the work was Paul's. This was an evening I will remember for a long time. On a night where kids usually have fun, we made bright eyes that much brighter, and smiles that much wider.

The Force was with us this night. 

More projector fun and Halloween!

Its been a busy few weeks so let me get back to where I left off on the projector project!

With the mounting made, the power and data transmission settled, it was time to see how everything would fit.  It was slow but steady work getting the mounting lined up to the holoprojector.  Then, using the outside of the HP to thread it into the mounting adapter.

One thing that had to be removed for this to fit was the red-blue PSI light.  I wound up using one of the plastic PSI blocks that are offered as add-ons to the 300mm dome.  To keep the projector level, I used the self-adhesive hook, a small rubber strap and an eye hook piece.

As you can see, its getting pretty crowded in there!

In order for the projector to have enough power, it requires a dedicated 12v 7amp battery.  The problem is where to put it!  That I am still working on.

Work on the software is still on going.  I threw myself a curve by trying to code from my Windows 7 64-bit laptop instead of my Windows Vista (32 bit) one.  Put in non-geek terms, different versions and operating systems sure complicates things!  But, we're slowly making progress.  

That said, here is what the projector looks like inside the dome (I had to hinge another panel to access the projector power button from above)...

Here is how the Princess Leia video clip looks in darkness and in regular (bright) lighting...

 As you can see, the top of Princess Leia's head it obstructed by the HP.  This can be trimmed and adjusted in the Windows properties, lowering the alignment of the display.

So despite some technical hurdles, cramped for space and power demands, it works!  I still have a good deal of refining to do but the components all check out.  

And of course, we had another amazing Halloween at my Mom and Dad's place in Bangor.  

 We were outside in the 39 F weather to greet trick or treaters (yes, that is snow in the background!)

Again I was busy controlling R2 while the kids came up to meet R2, pose for pictures and ask questions.  We were outside from 5:30 until 7, calling it quits when we ran out of candy.  This was my third year doing this and it seems we have become a "must visit" spot for the kids, from what the parents were saying.