This week's FX update

I finally did the inventory of acrylic materials that I received from Dr. Carpenter, and it's a good haul! I need to actually TEST the materials to ensure they are still functional, but I think acrylic is pretty robust. Also I need to test a theory on how to ensure the darned stuff gets poured all the way into the tips of the teeth -- even poured very thin, it tends to not get into the tips. In some cases, I suspect capillary action, but I've also taken steps to avoid it (by waiting for it to stiffen before closing the mold). Vibration doesn't seem to be the cure either, since I've also tried that.

Maybe when I review the three books he lent me, I'll find more tips and tricks. Those orthodontists cheat; they start with pre-cast teeth and just do the gums and plate!

Another Wednesday was consumed in meetings, this time a general SCARE meeting, plus board of directors meeting. We are making great progress! Also, we have an amazing video now:

http://tinyurl.com/n4c8xu

Progress on the Goblin Systems timing and control modules is moving apace; this programming and electronics stuff is time consuming. Rushing through some of the development, and working with infinite distractions, has cost me a prototype PCB cycle (oops, bad chip definition!). However, the new PCBs are coming tomorrow and I also have an upgraded MCU set (added a dollar to double the RAM/ROM) in a box at home waiting for it.

Today's big news on the Goblin front is that I'm sending and receiving complex commands between timing modules now. It's not the final program structure, but getting there.

Last Saturday I got a lifecast done of my lovely self, with the help of Marla, Matt, Matt's Susan, the other Susan, and Nathan. They did a GREAT job, and the mold is now sitting on a table waiting for me to pour plaster into it.

Sunday I poured plaster into Nathan's mold. Actually, I laid up a shell of burlap and ultracal 30 along the mold, then filled it with giant chunks of foam, and THEN poured plaster into it. Trying to alleviate the weight; I only used 75lbs of plaster, instead of 150lbs. That sucker is still heavy. And it looks at me funny, too.

The shell phase of the casting process made a pretty poor outer skin; lots of large voids. These are on non-critical areas (I cast the face solid), and I will fix them tonight... but still, it lacks perfection.

After doing Nathan up stone solid, I ran over to the Lodge for our Kickoff and Casting event -- good turnout, and I got some great names of people who can do work in the FX area. I'm excited to have new help!

Last night I spent a few hours at the Lab, under my new extended Lab time model, and made the molds for four sets of teeth plus did the first-pass cleanup work on my monster test-fangs of doomishness.

Tasks in process include the vacuum table (Paul's taken the lead on that), the vortex tunnel (parts are there waiting for some structural tests, and I may have a new helper to work on it), the propane burner, and the Demon's stilts (plus we have a new, experienced, player in that game, Eric Peterson, to help me and Paul). Exciting!