Sodor Scratchbuilding HD: Anamatronic Eye Mechanisms

[trainboy7]

if this is how they make the eye mechanisms, do ya think you can fit one in an LGB steam train like stevie that puffs smoke?

[cudak888]

@trainboy7 - Absolutely.

[SuperMario6419]

Is this how the eyes where controlled in the thomas and friends series?

[cudak888]

@SuperMario6419 - Yes. The rod mechanism may differ from the originals, but the micro servos are the same as you would see in any of the traditional models from S1 through S11/12.

[Benfan29]

What size are the buttons

[asetherom]

can you make one for me i really like it i admired you please make one for me!);

[trainboy7]

where did ya learn to do this?

[simierski]

Kurt, you are an absolute genius. Now if only I could scale this down to 4mm...! :)

[cudak888]

@simierski - That'd be a bit of a tall order, Simon! Granted, there is a possibly of getting such a system to work a-la TUGS - a single sheet behind the face serving as two flat eyes. It could conceviably be controlled via very thin wire emerging through the frame of the locomotive, through the layout board with small holes, and down to someone controlling them. I've considered it if I ever model the Arlesdale railway along with the G-1 equipment.

[TurboJUSA]

Will you put eyelids over the eyes just like in Jay Jay The Jet Plane?

[cudak888]

@TurboJUSA - No.

[Alexthemaster33]

Hey cudak, I got my self two micro- servos from my hobby shop and if your familiar with the CIRRUS brand thats what i've got

[cudak888]

@Alexthemaster33 - Never heard of them, but if they're micro servos, they should do fine. There is virtually no torque required of them in this application, so you shouldn't have to worry at all about the strength of the gears inside. Even the cheapest servos can do the job.

[supergamerbros]

Will you be getting the new Bachmann large-scale Thomas or Percy, and add your eye mechanism to them?

[cudak888]

Not a chance - they're around 1:26-1:29 scale, not 1:32.

-Kurt

[leokimvideo]

Amazing depth of details in this video, you have a eye for detail..!

[cudak888]

@leokimvideo - Thank you, Leo. For better or worse, I have to; I'm saddled with the task of making these mechanisms - it isn't easy!

[SuperDooperVideoBoy]

Nice.

[Alexthemaster33]

hey, out of curiosity, where'd you get the white shank buttons?

[cudak888]

Local place - Rex Fabrics.

-Kurt

[Alexthemaster33]

my valley doesn't have that store, but i have Jo ann fabrics, but thanks for the reply

[cudak888]

No need for local - just do a Google search for "white shank button." You'll find them.

[trainboy7]

wait, if you put that motor that controls the eyes in that ernest engine, then where does the motor that makes him go backwards and forwards go?

[cudak888]

The motor is housed in a separate module (between the wheelset) under the chassis. It's centered directly under the lead weight.

-Kurt

[trainboy7]

are you saying that you still have the moter and eye motor together?

[cudak888]

I should have clarified better. The drive motor (the one that propels Ernest down the rails) is at the bottom, and is on a completely separate system from the eye mechanism.

The eye mechanism itself is operated only by the servos you see in this video (though within each of the two servos sit tiny motors that operate the servo arms).

That said, nothing of the eye mechanism is hidden, while everything else that propels him IS hidden.

-Kurt

[trainboy7]

oh, okay :)

[AlexKouhiFan]

Amazing.

[Alexthemaster33]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!!!! when i get the bachmann G scale thomas, can i use some of this techniques from this vid,

[thetallcontroller1]

One word describes this (actually two).... ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! The eye mechanism is fantastic! 5 stars from me!

[ThompsonLine]

You really do a good job at this. Just wondering, but did you ever mess up something really badly before. I know its happened to me once or twice.

[cudak888]

Never have, so far. It pays to experiment first (as I did with the first eye mechanism) and know the materials you're using. Both the brass and the styrene are quite forgiving.

-Kurt

[KnapfordHarbour]

Very informative. It's nice to finally see the process in action, and to get a lesson in micro-mechanics, too! Well done!

[TheTopHatt]

Nice video, I really like your Ernest model, looks exactly the same as the one used in the TV Sketches. I really loved the beginning when Ernest is reading the text, well done mate.

[StanierJack]

Looking very nice, i love the way the eye mechanism works, and the way you described it.

5/5 yet again :)

[JimPrower]

Heh, once again, very pro. What CAD program did you use for the 3D models?

[cudak888]

Thanks, Jim. I did the models with the most convenient program I had on hand - Train Sim Modeler. The renderings were done with Shape File Viewer.