| Welcome, Everyone, to the Johnny Five Recreation Project Page.
To see the latest update, Click Here to go to the Home Page.
October 2008
Hello again!
Exciting news! - Input Inc now has a Fourth Team Member!
Please welcome Kenneth Palkow to the team! Kenney has joined us due to his dream of owning a Johnny Five robot. He is a very appreciated addition to the Input-Inc team, as he can offer much help in design & manufacture. Kenney has already started to work on re-producing the 102 servos that are so rare. This has obviously shown us Kenneth`s dedication to help and join us in the project. You can read more about Kenney on his Bio link.
If you have not yet read our article in Robot Magazine, then please do -and give us some feedback.
Please go out and either buy, or better subscribe to the magazine, if you have not already.
We are hoping to have an update in a future issue.
Ok, we have added a links page to the top buttons ( if you have not already noticed ) and COMING SOON is a Mini Johnny 5 project sub-page! Please be aware that I`m still working on the sub-page for that project. I plan to have a gallery in the layout similar to the main gallery of J5 - so please watch this space ! You have all been waiting for it, and we have had MANY emails asking about a Miniature Johnny 5, and the designs have been in progress!
Even though our new friend, Kenneth, is working on reproducing the Tonegawa SSPS-102 Servos that we desperatly need, if any one does have any that they dont need, please get in contact with us!
September 2008
Hello all!
Welcome to the Newly Updated Re-launch of the Input-Inc. Johnny Five Project Web Site!
Exciting news!
The Input-Inc Team has been featured in ROBOT MAGAZINE! See the November - December issue of Robot for a feature story on Input-Inc’s Johnny 5 project!
It should hit your local News stand on September, 16th, 2008!
So run out and pick up a few copies or better yet become a regular subscriber!
The Input-inc Team encourages all of you to visit their website for all kinds of bonus on-line content related to articles featured in the magazine! Robot Magazine is busy creating the latest update for the November/December issue on their website. It will be uploaded soon!
To become a subscriber to the Magazine, go Here.
Robot Magazine will be having Regular Johnny Five project updates as things progress along!
Robot Magazine is Jam packed full of interesting information and news on everything related to the world of Robotics!
For our re-launch and as an online supplement to the Robot Magazine article, we have opened the Input-Inc Vaults! You will now find an enormous amount of content, in the galleries - both old and new!
We now have a much larger Video Section with both High-Resolution and Low-Resolution (For our Dial-up Fans) versions of most videos!
Included is the Never before seen Video interview with none other than Eric Allard, Creator of Johnny Five and the owner of the All Effects Company!
This interview video was filmed by Terry in April 2004 at the All Effects Company in Los Angeles, California, during terry's trip to document Johnny Five. In this video Eric gives all of us a unique inside look into filming and what it took to build Johnny Five!
We have also packed our site full of Hi-Res photos showing many different aspects of J5 Design and Fabrication!
IMPORTANT!!! Does anyone have any Tonegawa SSPS-102 Servos? We have a few - but we still need more!
Please click here to see a picture, and if you do have any that you do not need, PLEASE get in touch! |
We have also added a link for Johnny-Five.com. The most commonly known J5 site. If you have not already, get over there and check out the Message Board, where you will find much news on all things J5 related.
Now for some news on what we have been up to on the project itself. We have been intensively testing J5`s current features & functions. That has take up most of our time since the last update, as well as preparing the work for Robot Magazine. Simon has been working on a Prototype Lower Torso Console Cover, pictures will be online shortly. With the new layout of the website, we will be able to add more pictures as and when we have them, rather than waiting for time and resources for an update.
All the Batteries are now purchased; we are working on wiring systems to get the full potential out of the power sources. The Track Drive that can be seen in use in the `J5 Test run` in the video section of the site, shows that it works well, but too well! We have been working on solutions of slowing J5 down for safety reasons. It is currently clocked at about 12mph!
Simon Marston (Team member and Web Master) has worked hard to make your navigation of the new site easier!
Everything is now categorized by an Area of the Robot so now you can go right to the pictures or videos you want to view.
We look forward to your comments and hope you enjoy both the Robot Magazine Article and our new website content. Enjoy!
Click
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November, 2007
AT LAST!!!, we have managed to get another Johnny Five project update posted and due to the following explanation, we`ll be updating this site more often.
So, first things first, again with the same start as our recent updates, an apology to everyone for taking SO long on this update. Many reasons for this, but the most
significant explanation is that our friend who originally put this site together, has had a very big change of direction to his life, "for the better". Due to this, unfortunately it seems that he has lost the time to continue with the site updates for us. We, the team, have made a universal decision to continue the site in its original design. Many thanks and respect to Demon-SLX for getting this site up and going for us. Without his help, we would of never got the site started.
Ok! Time for project news. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD!
All the parts have been made to complete the upper and lower A-frame assemblies, and the rear caster wheel has also been attached. These are needed to test the `tip-toe mechanism, which works PERFECTLY now, see the Prototype Track Tip test video!!! The actuator setup for the lower torso is also complete and fitted, so that the lower torso now raises & lowers with tremendous power. Also prototyped is the waist set-up, for joining the upper & lower Torso hinge and turning it Left and Right.
We have also proto-typed the shoulder tube and the upper torso, go and see the Prototype Upper Torso test video!!! It has been hard work to figure out a stable & strong system to hinge these together, but after al lot of very difficult work we found a solution!
We are working on the neck area, and then we will start to install the orange cylinders that make J5's head Pan,Tilt and rotate.
We have found an answer to an ongoing obsolete part problem during the project. A round Servo "Tonegawa SSPS-102" that was used in many places on the original J5 "Shoulder Tube, Arms, Neck cylinder operation" has been obsolete and out of production for well over 20 years, hence "VERY difficult to find at any price". While we can have them custom ordered and built from the original manufacturer,The very fact that these servo's and replacement parts for them are difficult to get, eliminates them from use. We are forward thinking and realize that using a obsolete 20 year old Servo that while screen accurate, is simply a bad decision for us and you the fans! Our solution produces the same/or better look and operation as the original Servos did but, at a greatly reduced cost and replacement parts are and will continue to be easily purchased.
We have also conjured up a prototype of the lip-light circuit! Take a look at the Prototype Lip Light test video!!! We have now correctly sequenced the entire lighting pattern which as it turns out, was incorrect in our earlier work. We were able to actually find out the EXACT Lip-light parts used on J5 "CM25 Series Bi-pin T-1 indicator lamps" but of coarse, The company stopped manufacturing them in 1976. Despite all our attempts to find any for sale, non have EVER been located! We will keep looking. See the update picture named "lamps4.JPG" for a catalog scan of the original lip-lights used. It took over 4 years to discover this information!!! We are persistent buggers.....
The LEDs have proved to be a real good substitute,they use less power"under 100ma to illuminate all 86" and will not burn out as did some of the original incandescent bulbs that J5 used.
Our prototype J5 testing has surprised us in many ways! The original J5 is a wonderful piece of engineering and with our improvements and upgrades has turned out to be quite powerful and perhaps a bit more dangerous. As can be seen in the "Prototype Track Tip test video" The system will quite easily lift me "200Lbs" plus its own weight with batteries at that time of 130Lbs for a total of 330Lbs. It will lift more but trying that with only the test rig wheel supports would collapse them and send me flying....LOL
The Lower Torso section also lifts at least 200Lbs and I do have video of it lifting me while sitting on it but I will not post that as to retain some measure of dignity!
The video's could be of higher quality but with all of our resources going into this project a decent digital video camcorder is low on our list of purchases. Perhaps someone has a good used one that they wish to donate to the project? If so contact one of us! Well give you full credit here on the site!
You no doubt noticed that the Track drives are not on J5? Well that's the biggest design change to the original. We found it totally necessary to COMPLETELY redesign the track drive for many reasons. That work is now complete and will be posted at a future time. The tracks will look identical and operate as the original but have been greatly enhanced.
Please check these update pictures and video's, but also please understand that we may to start to edit some of the photos or video's so that we
can hide some of our hard sourced/long thought out ideas & systems.
Finally, As many of you know Eric Allard's J5 has been sold at auction. This is the very same one that Terry Andrews Jr, documented and the one of which our project is based.
That J5's whereabouts are currently unknown....Many rumours....no facts.
Thanks,
The Team;
Simon Marston
Martin Pinner
Terry Andrews Jr.
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Jan
2nd, 2007
Hello there!
Again, we are all sorry for the time it has
taken to get this much needed update on the site.
Please bear with us as we are always very busy
with either J5 work and our own work.
Since the last update, we have had some good
news!
The University project that we worked on for
Martin, has earned himself the right to add 'BSc'
to his name!
Conrgatulations to Martin, from the rest of
the team.
As for J5 work, its all good, but quite slow
at the minute, as we are also working on Martins
second project, for his final year! ( maybe next
year we will get more J5 work done! ) lol
Simon has found time to finish making the Upper
A-frame parts, and Terry has started to manufacture
the rear caster wheel mechanism.
Terry has also finished all the Lower torso
actuators. It took a few months work to get them
right, and now they are looking PERFECT! The
mounts and all the other little mechanisms to
move the lower torso are also finished, Just
the tip toe tube and its bearings to go! Then
we`ll have a fully working lower torso! Yippee!!!!
The tip toe tube just needs some final design
work, and we need to save our money for the bearings
as they are not cheap! (any donations happily
received)
We have also been working on a few very interesting
side projects. They have taken up quite a bit
of our time. Details of these will be put on
the site in coming months, when we have more
to say about them.
We will try our best to keep you posted on all
our current work.
Sit tight, and watch this space!
The Team
Click
Here to see this updates pictures
May 14th, 2006
Hi guys!
Sorry it’s been so long
since the last update but we have been very busy
working on Johnny 5 parts and our own personal
projects, including helping Martin with bits of
his uni robot.
So thanks a lot to Simon and Terry for their help
in making this robot possible.
The project was a complete success and pictures can
be seen on a ‘martin’s uni robot’ page
when done.
Back to the Johnny 5 project, the lower torsos are
now complete! And it has to be said looking fantastic!
In the last few months we have been working on producing
accurate likenesses of the actuators used to move
the lower torso which are sadly no longer in production
so that has taken a while to do. The prototype is
now complete so it now on to making the final ones
for ours Johnnys.
GOOD NEWS!!!
We have found a possible source
for the motors that are needed to help Johnny’s
waist move and groove :P we shall splash out on
one to make sure that it is what we need.
You can find the updated pictures at the gallery
entrance is free to all J5 supporters (Sammy is a
promotional robot that was used to promote the movie
the plane is from the second movie where it hits
the guy in the butt and saves J5 from further destruction)
Thanks so much for all your support,
The Team
Click
Here to see this updates pictures
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February 19th, 2006
Hello all and welcome. This month we have been working
on the lower torso, and building up our Cradle Bases.
The lower torso is half completed, with pictures
in the gallery.
The actuators, that sit behind the lower torso and
move it forward and backwards, to help J5 stretch
up/crouch down, have been purchased and awaiting
delivery. They are not exactly the same that was
used on the original J5, but they are close enough,
but need a slight modification when they arrive.
There are pictures in the gallery of the mock-up
set up of the base and torso.
The track unit designs are still in discussion of
how they will be attached and whether they will be
removable or not. This will depend on the main pivot
tube that sits with in the base. The torso, track
units, and the base all fit to this, and it will
also act as part of the tip-toe mechanism. The side
plates for the track units, as far was we know, will
not be changed as far as the units being removable
or not, so these are getting these water-jet cut
within the month.
The A-Frame that sits behind the base, acting as
a double wishbone for the trailer wheel, is nearing
completion. The lower section of this is already
finished and pictures are in the gallery. The upper
section of this is in production now, and will be
complete and fitted with in a few weeks. Shortly
after that, we will be working on the trailer wheel
axel itself. Also, with the A-Frame in place, we
can finalise the tip-toe mechanics.
Martin is taking a little time out of cad work for
us, so that he can get on with his university project,
which he has deadlines to meet. The rest of the team
have pledged our help to Martin, but also to give
him the space he needs, so that he can complete his
project in good time. We all wish him the best of
luck on this.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking, and
don’t forget to check out the gallery!
Keep coming back to see more, as we progress.
The Team
Click
Here to see this updates pictures
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January 7th 2006
First of all, Happy New Year to all of you, and welcome to 2006!
We hope you all had Merry Christmas and a great party to celebrate the last day of 2005 and the first day of 2006.
This year will bring the project much further into reality. The structural work is really starting to come along now with the completion of the metal work for the Cradle Base and the actuators that fit within the base that operate the `tip-toe` mechanism are almost finished modification and will be fitted shortly (please take a look at the pictures). The left & right Track Units are currently under a small design change so that they are easier to remove in the event of maintenance, as originally they were designed to be fixed. Once the new design has been finalised, then expect pictures of the Track Units in production.
Next on the project is the Lower Torso assembly. The design for this is almost complete and as the Track units are under a design change, the Lower Torso will be in production very soon, again with pictures to follow.
Terry has managed to get hold of the laser casting that was used in the RC models of J5 in Short Circuit 2.
Thank you so much, all of you, for the progressive interest in the site and the project, and thank you so much for the emails that you are sending. Please be patient if you have not had a reply, we WILL reply to every email that is sent to us, but as you can imagine, with our jobs and the project, especially this time of year, it has been hard to find the time.
Well, that’s it for this update, please enjoy the pictures, which are in the gallery, but more importantly, ENJOY 2006!!!!!
PS, the gallery has changed slightly to accommodate more pictures, and to navigate it better. All pictures for updates (and previous updates) will be in there from now on, with the latest pictures at the top.
The Team.
Click Here to see this updates pictures
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November 23rd 2005
This is the first update, we’re sorry that it has been a long time coming, but we have been working hard on research for the project. This current research includes finding replacement systems for the `tip-toe` mechanism. Also, we have been working out some manufacturing processes needed for the construction. We have now finished some of the designs needed and have started to make some more parts.
The parts that have been made are prototypes for the Base Cradle and A-Frames. In case you don’t know, these parts form the chassis for J5. The A-Frame holds the trailer wheel to the chassis, and the Base Cradle is the main chassis. The track drive units will eventually fit each side, and the lower torso fits to the front of it. Below are pictures of some of these parts, these will also be added to the gallery. There will be more to come once the parts are assembled.
The website has also gone through some updates. There are now biographies for each of the team members, in case you haven’t seen yet. Also please keep a look out for the new `History of J5` page, coming soon. We will be adding to that as we have time, and gain knowledge of what’s behind this great robot.
Great priority for the team is to continue with the design and manufacture, so we apologise for any more slow updates, though we can assure you that we will update when we can.
Please enjoy the pictures, and be patient for more. This project is so much more intense than you can imagine!
The Team.
Click Here to see this updates pictures
October 12th 2005
Site going live!
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