Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: pbrennan@world.std.com (Patrick M Brennan)
Subject: Re: Homemade robot shells?  How?
Message-ID: <DAv495.7uM@world.std.com>
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
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References: <00992161.E81EB040@Msu.oscs.montana.edu> <3so82e$gei@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 1995 02:58:17 GMT
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MarkWomack (markwomack@aol.com) wrote:
: I discovered that they use a type of plastic that when
: heated in boiling water it becomes incredibly malleable.  Almost like
: taffy.  The hotter it gets, the more pliable.  You bend and mold it to the
: sape you want, and when it cools it is as hard again.  It's really cool
: stuff, physical therapists use it to create custom-made splints and stuff
: like that. You might be able to pick it up at a medical supply warehouse??

You can also get this stuff (or something like it) at your local art supply
store.  Sculptors use it.

I built a shell out of my robot using aluminum sheet, intended for
fixing gutters and the like.  I made a tube by bending it around a 
couple of times, then I ran small bolts through it in nine locations
(overkill, I know), which I then used as tie points to secure it
to my frame using 19-gauge wire.  You can look at the results :

http://world.std.com/~pbrennan/ryobot_photos.html

Patrick

