Vorpal Hexapod Eye Accessories by vorpal

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

This is an add-on accessory for the totally awesome Vorpal Combat Hexapod, If you haven't seen that yet, then this thing won't make sense, so visit there first:
Thing 2513566: Vorpal Combat Hexapod
Check out the Hexapod Intro Features Video
I made this all open source and respectfully ask you to consider supporting the project. We successfully funded on Kickstarter with hundreds of kits sold, and now we have our own store. We have more than just the Hexapod electronics, we have all kinds of things useful for small robotics and other projects:Vorpal Robotics Store with Hexapod Kits
IMPORTANT: If you opt-in to receive our store monthly newsletters you'll automatically be enrolled in a monthly prize drawing, first prize is a $100 store credit and there are lots of other smaller prizes too! Sign up for newsletters here:
Vorpal Store Opt-in for Prize Drawing
Why do I need this for the Hexapod?
OK, now that you understand, this thing is two different eye decorations for the Vorpal Combat Hexapod.
The eye decorations may seem trivial, but they are an integral part of the project. When the eyes are installed in the right place, they clearly indicate where the "front" of the robot is and so are crucial for orienting the person using the gamepad.
Also, trust me on this, people respond much more positively to the robot if it has the eyes on. Without the eyes: creepy spidery thing. With the eyes: Cute cartoon-like thing.
Installing the Hook-and-Loop (Velcro)
As of November 1, 2019 our kits include 10mm diameter self-stick hook and loop fasteners (Velcro-like material) to attach decorations like these eyes to the hexapod. The convention is that the "hook" material (tiny plastic spikey things) go on the Hexapod and the "loop" (fuzzy mushy material) goes on the decoration that attaches to the hexapod. Just peel off the plastic backing and self-stick the 10mm diameter circular fasteners to the appropriate round receptacles on the robot and eye decorations.
Installing the Magnets
Before November 1, 2019 our kits used 10mm diameter magnets to hold on decorations such as eyes. I've kept the traditional magnet version files hosted here on Thingiverse as a variation. You would also need to print the magnet version of the hexapod CAP object.
Each design has a recepticle for a 10mm diameter by 3mm thick magnet. The magnet should be installed with the South pole exposed. In our kits, north pole is marked with a dimple. Magnets on the robot should have dimple showing, magnets on accessories that stick to the robot should have dimples hidden. Pretty easy.
The magnets, if they are the correct size, snap in. You may be able to do this with your fingrs, or you may need to gently use piiers to force them in that last little bit. But for me at least, they never fall out. If they fall out for you I'm sure a drop of superglue or hot glue will solve the problem.
Give Us More Eyes!
If you develop compatible eyes, please let me know and we will link to them off our website! If we're super impressed, we may even send you a Vorpal Combat Hexapod T-shirt.
To be compatible, make a round hole 10.8mm in diameter on the back (where the nose is). it should be 3mm deep. See our OnShape project for exact details. You don't need to use OnShape for your contributions, anything you want.