30.3.15

It has been a week since my last post so this entry will cover a lot.

Thesis.

I have had a complete reconstruction of the literature review, it now reads better and is easier to follow. I am nearing the end of the literature review bar around 900 words which covers Deleuze and a few bits and pieces on systems and control. I am really happy with how it has all come together, all the elements that felt disconnected - psychology, philosophy, semiotics, film and interviews.. reviews.. have all come together and it feels pretty solid. I am aiming to get the whole things drafted via the 6.4.15 as that is my second online review session and it would be really nice to have achieved all the goals I set out at the start of last month.

Build.

The build has moved on since the last entry so I will do a quick breakdown of what I have been doing. Fist of all I made a gum line using an extra layer of thermoplast which I died pink using red and white pigmentation. Onto this layer i added a mixture of pigmentation and silicone gel which I then formed the shape of the gums with. I added some detail to the teeth using oil paint which I will spray with a light coating of gloss when the can arrives. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4. I had to do some re-adjusting with the placement of the teeth as I felt they did not fit together as well as they could have done.. so now there are less gaps between the upper and lower set when the mouth is closed.

 1.1

 1.2

 1.3

 1.4

I have also added the roof of the mouth to the model using a mixture of thermoplastic and silicone to which gives a really night skin like feel to the model. 2.1 ,2.2. To do this i melted a handful of thermoplastic and dyed it black with pigment. I then rolled it out using a rolling pin and cut it with scissors into the shape i wanted. I then returned the thermoplastic to the boiling water and shaped it to the top gum line, I then run the thermoplastic under a cold tap to set it to shape. To attach to roof of the model I added an extra layer of thermoplastic to the underneath and formed it around the inner top gum line (second layer of pink thermoplastic gum line) I then used silicone gel to form the inner roof of the mouth. It has a really nice springy feel to it and I do not think there is a better material out there for this sort of textures it just feel right. 

2.1

2.2

I then added a new framework for the servos to sit on and added a few metal joints for the lip mechanism to run through. The framework is just a standard robotic long U brackets and a metal shield I had left over from my last project. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 The bracket screws into the original upper servo bracket and into the top of the thermoplastic using tapper screws.

3.1

 3.2

 3.3

Feelings.

I feel pretty happy with the direction the project is moving in. Today marks the start of the easter holidays and I am hoping to get plenty done in the next two weeks.

Analysis.

The current situation of the project is that both elements are progressing along together within the time scale outlined in my gantt chart. I am trying to grab a few extra hours to do some online tutorials in but it is just not possible at this moment in time with everything going on. I have a few books to review and I am trying to find the time to sit down and read but it's just not proving possible at the moment with juggling work and childcare. I have found one of the books is available in audio format so this may be an option if I really start struggling.

Evaluation:

I do not believe there is anything I could have done differently this week. I have covered plenty of ground with both project and I am happy with the amount of work that has been achieved. However, I did make a rookie mistake regarding the nature of thermoplastic, I tried to dry out the silicone using the fireplace in my living room which melted the top and bottom teeth together .. luckily I managed to get to the model in time before any further damaged. I have just chalked this down to not really paying attention to the results of the previous experiments using thermoplastic. As a rule I will no longer leave the model near a heat source as the plastic melts and turns into mush pretty quick. I am hoping that this will become less on an issue after applying the gloss coating.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, last week was really productive and I think the model is starting to take shape and the thesis is flowing really well. I am going to have to re-access my timetable over the next couple of weeks to see if I can squeeze in a few extra hours for online tutorials and reading time.

Action Plan:

I am aiming to get the lip rig finished by the end of the week and finish my chapter on the uncanny before the weekend.