Our EZ-Robot Kit and © Disney © Pixar U-Command Wall*E
Available at EZ-Robot.com
Available at EZ-Robot.com
Available at EZ-Robot.com
© Disney © Pixar U-Command Wall*E ebay.com
Extra parts that we won't use for this built. Including two IR receivers.
Using a Dremel, we cleared the unused plastic from the base plate to make room for Wall*E's processor.
The floor, after removing the excess plastic. Later we'll add some padding to absorb vibration.
We're creating slots for his motors.
The floor, after creating slots for his motors. We decided vertical slots would allow for fine tuning the placement of each motor. It also shifts more weight aft to counter balance the forward mounted processing stack.
The floor from the finish side.
We're adding some simple foam padding that will cut down on vibration while still allowing for airflow.
We wanted to preserve the axles and create a hub. A friend used a band saw to cut the axles free from the gearboxes. (Thanks AZTK421!)
We aligned the toothed mounting plates directly over the center of the metal axle. It is held it in place with hot glue until the screws can be added.
We highly recommend screwing the hub to the face of the main drive wheel. Special thanks to Tiff's Dad for the detailed bit set! We couldn't have mounted the hubs without them.
We wanted to preserve the arm joints and hope that we still can. A friend used a band saw to cut the axles off at the position teeth. (Thanks AZTK421!)
The Ultrasonic Distance Sensor gives Wall*E the ability to sense objects and obstacles within 60 inches. They are available at here: EZ-Robot.com. Notice the black marker lines. We marked the placement of cosmetic features on the front of Wall*E to help determine the placement of the sensor.
We wanted to secure the sensor within the main body. To protect it and maintain the look.
We're removing the battery compartment from the rear panel to make a smaller access panel instead. Use a soldering iron to remove the wires from the battery plates.
You'll end up with some surplus battery terminals for a future project or to recycle.
Careful not to cut off the screw housing above the battery compartment. It's what holds the door on.
Cut the back plate off.
Cut the terminal insulated sections of the compartment that are still holding the back plate.
Now we have a small access door that only requires a single screw.
Finished panel.
Finished panel from the inside.
Seeing how the tread roller assemblies line up with the floor plate and body walls.
The motors, mounted into place. Note the additional plastic removed around the hub for clearance. Also, rotate the tread once before gluing to ensure alignment.
The bottom plate, aft view. You see the CPU is mounted on its fuse block, with the power connector seated for fitment.
The bottom plate, forward view. Again, you see the CPU is mounted on its fuse block.
Remove half of the lip that attached the body walls to the lid.
Thin the body walls to create more space for the servos.
View from above.
Note we are leaving the play button connected for a future feature.
Mount the shoulder servos flat to the lid.
Note the removal of the hidden internal lip to accomodate the servos.
We wanted to preserve his natural shoulder appearance.
A view of the lid before beginning the next assembly.
Ensuring the lid closes with the neck servo frame free of the CPU.
View of shoulders mounted.
A port view of Wall*E.
We reused the former neck gearbox housing as a frame utilizing the exisitng mounting points on the underside of the lid.
The servo is mounted perdendicular to the forward motion of the hull to allow clearance of the CPU.
To ensure stability, the original mounting posts were shortened and attached the the shoulder servos to make the neck servo mount removable.
The arms have the toothed hubs attached via thermal plastic.
We removed the base of the head frm the neck.
We remove the gearworks and hollow out Wall*E's neck to allow wires to pass through.
One of Wall*E's servos up close with a toothed hub attached.
We cut only a corner out of his existing eye lense to allow his camera to see unobstructed.
Thermal plastic is added for mounting and his existing LED was remounted as the housing was removed.
We retain Wall*E's head camera axle as it holds both havles together.
Wall*E's head, from the top down.
We don't want his neck rotating on the old axle anymore.
Note the wires are brought together and passed out of the head at a single point.
Glue the former neck opening centered between his cameras.
Wall*E's finished head, prior to his neck servo being added.
We modified the servo used to tilt the head just slightly, cutting off one of its mounting plates.
We created a flat mounting surface for the head servo.
The neck is attached via modified 6 sided toothed bracket. The bracket had all arms cut off, save for 2 in sequence creating a "V" shape. The bracket was inverted so the "V" shape was upside-down and screwed into the neck allowing the wire bundle to pass between the screws. It was then screwed into the servo's gear, locking it into place. The strength of the neck relies upon the modified bracket. (Future enhancement opportunity)
To protect the wire bundle, automotive wire loom was cut and placed perfectly around the small circluar base where the head was first cut off. The loom is tacked lightly with thermal plastic (hot glue).
The entire robot assembled, front view.
The entire robot assembled, rear view, acces door open for viewing.
The entire robot assembled, starboard view, no port view taken.
The entire upper body servo stack. Note the wire bundle passing through the neck servo's toothed hub.
The entire upper body servo stack. Note the neck servo is mounted perpendicular to allow clearance for the CPU.
To allow clearance over the CPU, the range sensor was inverted. It's mounted in place with thermal plastic and padded against vibration.
Connect the servos to the CPU, it's a snug fit.
We purchased a larger power source from AliExpress.com. It's a 7.4v 2800mah LiPo battery.
The EZB power connector is spliced to our battery.
Connect Wall-E over WiFi to the host machine.