Nelson

Here's the latest. It's been torturously frustrating trying out several time-consuming concepts only to discover the model runs worse than before. Each iteration takes most of a day to redesign, tear down, rebuild, and test. I'd say this version is about as good as the last video I posted. It's really tricky getting the legs to not interfere with each other as they flex from their own weight. I'm going to take a few weeks off and see if diffuse thinking offers any revelations.

I'm still ironing out some issues with the mechanics, but thought I'd share this building technique using bars and round plates. It doesn't look as nice (or as screen-accurate) as the inverted tile pieces I had cladding the legs previously, but it's seriously tough. If you use this technique, get it right the first time because it's quite difficult to deconstruct!

Lots of progress over the weekend! I made some planned adjustments and encountered some happy accidents. I hope to have video up shortly. The timing has been corrected. The pronounced shuffle of the non-lifting legs has been tempered, and I have a building technique for the legs that is almost indestructible.

That limited ankle range can be beneficial. I found it critical to control that range of motion in my design. Too much ankle flex, and the model can end up on its bum.,

I like the action of that mechanism. Sort of a dual cam.

Cool! I've been occupied with repairs to my condo, but that's wrapping up. Once I get back from my upcoming vacation, I'm planning on getting back to my model.

@BrickBear It's alive! Great to see it scooting along. What's next? Is there a way to get the legs up off the ground a bit more? Maybe control that front leg splay?

Sorry I haven't checked in recently. Looks like you're still making progress, @BrickBear. A couple weeks back, I did work on a version of my old chassis design, combining it with the newer, more direct motor and drivetrain designs from my later chassis. Unfortunately, I ran into issues where moving parts are hanging up at various points in the cycle. This has been something I've encountered often and it can be tough to predict. The smallest .025mm ridge between two "flush" mating parts is enough to catch a rotating liftarm and bind the whole mechanism. I'm getting a few parts on order to combat this. Sometimes it's as simple as using a part with a rounded vs. squared end so that the liftarm is subtly directed over that catch point. Other times, it means reevaluating the whole design. Have you encountered this issue? It can be challenging to create clearance areas when the available space is so limited.

@BrickBear All good advice, especially the bit about trying some smaller models first. I'm in no hurry. I'm using Studio at the moment. Would you consider that the best option or have you tried others that are better?

@BrickBear My hope is to offer it as both instructions or as a full set. I'm not sure how many sets I'd put together. Some of the parts I'm currently using are out of production. I'm hoping I can make design updates to get all the parts current, but that will be challenging. I received an insane amount of positive feedback and requests to make the instructions available after I posted a FB video of the current design taking a few steps. I think I could easily put together a dozen or so sets and there would be ample buyers. But first things first. I need to actually finish the thing! And generating instructions will be no small task. I'm easily a year away from putting anything out there. I'm also stocking a new BrickLink store, so lots to do.

I put together a new version of the "slide piston" chassis over the weekend. It answered my question about one motor being enough...I believe it is, even with the slightly taller gearing I used. Unfortunately, because of the design modifications to accommodate gearing change, the build was not as rigid and wasn't an overall improvement. I've made up my mind that I'm going to try my older mechanical concept with the newer drivetrain style. I think that the older concept has a more accurate walking motion to the film and fits within the body better. The drawback it that it's more complex and touchy than the newer "slide piston" concept. Considering my end goal is to sell the MOC, this is a risky decision. But if it ends up giving more accurate motion and aesthetics, it will be worth it.

Glad to see you're still at it. You're going to have to post some video sooner or later, even if it's to see where the movement is falling short. I'm dying to see the shuffle! You hung onto the bending knee dream a lot longer than I did. I hope you're able to get that working once you solve for the other issues. I just received a part order and will hopefully get a new chassis together this weekend. It should be a bit faster than the last, have better clearance from the piston rods that were grazing the upper part of the legs, and possibly offer some better timing so the rear and front legs don't have overlapping cycles. Or it could just fall over. Who knows? I've also been working on my head design, knowing that I should get that integrated sooner than later. I'd hate to have a working version that is set back to zero because it can't accommodate the head weight. I also wonder if I could get away with only using one motor.

@BrickBear Glad to see you're keeping at it and have made some progress. I'd love to see your model fired up, even if it just shows what challenges still need to be addressed. I've been trying to parlay the success I had with the more direct motor position of the slide piston design into a new chassis based on my earlier mechanisms. The gait was more correct with that old design. It just struggled with flex and lag in the drivetrain. Unfortunately, creating a combination of the old mechanics with the new motor position is proving very difficult. I just received a new pair of large Powered Up motors so I can keep the slide piston design intact since it's actually working pretty well. I put a short clip of it walking on a Lego Star Wars Facebook forum and have had a ton of positive response. Perhaps I'm being too picky about way that model walks and should keep fleshing that design out.