Research and Planning

     Using the Comscan of search engines, Google has detected an energy field protecting an area of the third planet of the Solar System. Err, what I meant was a search led me to a nice and  knowledgeable group of people called the R2 Builders Club, found on  Astromech.net. The discussion forums alone contained all the information I needed to build a complete astromech such as the basics about proven construction techniques, materials, mechanics, electronics, and an elaborate listing of part suppliers.

     The first major decision for a new R2 builder is how much money he or she is willing spend. A basic radio-controlled droid with motorized feet & dome, lights and sound, can be had in the range of a few hundred dollars for a all-styrene droid and upwards as much as $10,000+ for an all-aluminum droid, with similar features. Add more stuff to the build like a motorized life-form scanner, periscope, or even a 2-3-2 system, and watch as more Benjamins fly out the door. No matter how you look at it, this build was going to be expensive which is the reason the majority of builders are over the age of thirty, which at this range, already have an adequate and stable source of income.

     After two months of research, I decided to budget my project with respect to what materials I felt comfortable working with and what tools I had available. Based on this notion, an initial plan was formed:

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PROJECT ASTROMECH (R2-D2)



Main Objective:  To build a full-scale, basic remote-controlled R2-D2 replica, complete with motorized feet, motorized rotating dome, sound system, and lights.

Construction Materials:

  
   Birch (veneer) Wood Plywood: Main Frame, Legs, Ankles, Skirt
   Hardwood Board: Legs
   Solid Poplar: Booster Covers
   Styrene: Skins, Foot Shells, Dome, Greeblies, Skirt
   Resin: Greeblies
   ABS: Foot Shells
   Fiberglass: Reinforcements; Foot Shells
   Steel: Motor Holders, Leg Axle; Reinforcement; Fasteners


Electronics:

   Audio System:
      -VMusic 2
      -Alpine 3542 Amplifier
      -VR3 100 watt Speakers


   Dome Drive System:
      -3" Servo City Plastic Disc Wheel
      -Pittman Motor 19V
      -Syren 10 Motor Controller


   Foot Drive System:
      -Sabertooth 2x25
      -Currie Technologies XYD-15B  135watt Scooter motors (Belt Drive)
      -Razor E-100 Belt Drive Scooter Rear Wheels (Polyurethane Tires) +Belt


   Other:
      -J.E.D.I. Controller
      -Power Sonic Battery SLA 12V, 18AH  & 4AH (for dome electronics)
      -Digital Energy NiMH 9.6 1600mAH Battery Pack
      -VEX Transmitter and Receiver
      -Senna Front Logic Display PCB's
      -Custom Built Rear Logic Display, PSI, and Holoprojectors lights
      -Carl's Electronics PIC Flasher
      -Arduino Uno

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     I knew going this route would not break the bank but to be quite honest,  I would have not even dared to add up the receipts because I knew this would end up more expensive than I thought it would be!

Keeping the Spirit of  Building Alive 

     The impression of the R2 Builders Club has always encouraged the concept of  "building," as opposed to just  "assembling." A prime example of "assembling" would be putting a table together that was purchased from an IKEA store. Conversely, creating an exact copy of the same IKEA table from raw pieces of un-finished lumber moves more along the lines of "building." I can agree with this concept, as seeing no fun or self-rewarding satisfaction in purchasing items already made, and then assembling it on the project. Keeping this in mind, my goal for Project Astromech was to scratch-build every item that was feasible and purchase the rest. In other words, Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. -Theodore Roosevelt.

Coming up next...   Cutting the Skins