Spider Bots - Laser Reproductions

Ken Rinaldo, Associate Professor of Art, O.S.U.
Spider Bots

Challenge

Laser Reproductions brought Autotelematic Spider Bots to life for creator Ken Rinaldo, associate professor of art at The Ohio State University. Rinaldo retained Laser Reproductions in November 2005 to manufacture the Spider Bots and make his vision of three years a reality.

Solution

Within five months, 10 six-legged, robotic spiders measuring two by 1.5 feet were complete. Using DSM Somos® stereolithography (SLA) plastics made of flexible liquid resins, Laser Reproductions was able to produce the intricate, light-weight components that make up the body, legs and leg joints of the Spider Bots.

Production began with the creation of the Spider Bots’ legs. An efficient robotic leg joint with high fluid motion that required a low number of motors to achieve fluidity was critical in the overall design. Laser Reproductions created three sets of two flexible legs using SLA materials and monofilament, and added two motors per leg.

The Spider Bots’ bodies were fabricated from an original rapid prototype model made out of DSM Somos® resin. Transparent urethane castings were created and combined with various colors of Pantone inks to highlight the individual personality of each Spider Bot.

Result

The Spider Bots were exhibited in Sunderland, England, and at the Hopkins Gallery at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. From there, plans called for travel to the Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova Museum in Turku, Finland, and to the Kerava Art Museum in Finland. Rinaldo received numerous requests for a commercial kit to create Spider Bots.