First Real Look At My Ez-b Controlled Full Size Lis B9 Robot

Dave, I had never noticed that the costumes had changed between Season 2 and Season 3. Looking at Billy Mumy, I was sure that it was not early in the show. He was only eleven when the show began. His appearance and Angela Cartwright's changed dramatically over the three years of the filming. I guess that at that age, it should be expected. That is why I posted the second, early, picture of Will and the robot together, for comparison. I always liked that picture anyway. It shows the human element of the robot; Bob May, the man inside of the costume. He had a very close relationship with the actors. Even though the robot was supposed to be a machine, his acting, and the chemistry between all of them really brought that character to life. Otherwise, I do not think that he would have become icon that he still is today after all of these years.

Dave I would definitely take classes if you were giving them. Your work is superb. Do you keep a build journal? Or some type of notebook with all your drawings and schematics? I do for Questor. The notebook is now 4 in thick! And it looks like I will need to start another one

@Danger , I agree, the kids did change a lot over those years and I liked the way the writers matured their parts also. Sadly the writing was poor and repetitive towards the end and down right childish and silly at times. However there were some episodes that were very well done. I guess that's what happens when there is only one or two writers doing the scripts over the years. I also wish they had developed the other actors parts more. Seems like most episodes centered around Will and Dr. Smith along with the Robot. Mom, Dad, Don and the girls were mostly ignored. Dad and Don were always fixing something or rushing around with guns and Mom and the girls were usually cooking and cleaning or working in the garden. And they always wore the same customs within the season! Season 3 they went all Pastel and Velour. They must have been hot as hell under the set lighting. I'm also glad they let the robot develop his personality. Again they went too far at times (in my opinion) but if they hadn't let him grow in his part I'm afraid he would have been unplugged and shoved in a closet of the Jupiter 2 after Dr. Smith had programmed him to destroy everything and kill everyone a few times.

I love the human look of B9's arms when Bob May moved them around. I hope to capture at least some of that look when I figure out how to build my B9's arms. I'm still trying to figure out how to build them and what structure and motors or servos to use. I'm toying on building them on some kind of pivot point so they can go up and down along with in and out. I wish I could come up with a way to have them also bend at the elbow without spending thousands of dollars on motors and joints. They will be very heavy when I get his claws, wrists and rubber arms assembled. Not to mention the supporting structure and motors or servos.

@rgordon , I have kept a journal of sorts. Sadly it's not very complete. Mostly hand drawings and schematics of most of the wiring of power, fuseing, switches and logic. I have miles of wire, tons of boards and control units like EZB and CF3. I do plan on sitting down after the build and cleaning up the drawings and put together an "Owners Manual" showing operation methods, parts and board and wiring schematics. He's very complex (probably more then needed) inside but very easy to operate from the outside once someone knows what to do or push or what voice command to give. So a manual is a must.

I am just lost for words... Great job, the never ending b9. Thanks for sharing everything. j

Dave, here is a sketch of the arm extender mechanism I was talking about with some Meccano part numbers

The fixed frame is inside the B9 and the moving frame extends outside the robot under the arm tubing. The elbow servo could be mounted at the end of the moving frame. The magnet fixed to the moving coupling flags (to the controller) when the moving frame is fully extended or retracted.

Yes, its ok to contact me on the email address given in the other thread.

Tony

Holy cow Tony! Thanks for taking the time to sktech this out and post it. I know you've put some thought into it and also added part numbers but you make it look so easy. Actually now that you've done the heavy mind work for me it sould be pertty simple to fleash this out. I'll keep you posted through this thread on my progress. Things are moving slowly now because of summer's family and home demands so I wont actully start on the arms for a few months yet.

Also I'm at the end of doing a few needed upgrades to B9 before I put him back togather in his final resting place out of the shop. When that happens I'll only have the arms to work on and do a little retro fitting after I buy a few of the new mini EZB's.

Thanks again. It's good to have a plan! I'll contact you through that email soon.

Dave Schulpius

Hello dschulpius, because you are taking your time building your robot I suggest you take a look at these: http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_info.php?cPath=81&products_id=353

We use some for a job at my place, it's a little slow but not so much. It can take very little space in the arm of your robot and permit 12'' extension.

You impress me a lot and I look forward to the completion of your robot.

Hi Andre99,

Thanks for the link! I took a look and they have many different types and lengths of linear actuators. They even have high speed actuators that can travel up to 9" per second. I had first wanted to use linear actuators but thought them too slow for my taste. However 9" per second is about what I'm looking for. They even offer them with sliding brackets but the fastest they offer is 2" per second. Sadly that's to slow.

I'm really getting some good options here and will probably take a little from each to make this work.

Thanks again everyone!