another Treadwell Droid

[Dyne]

Do you have access to a 3D printer? We've got files for screen accurate eye lens frames here on the forum. You could do a number of different things for the lenses themselves for different cool effects.

As it happens, a few days ago I finally fixed the longstanding problem my printer has been having.  To celebrate, and to test a spool of natural pla, I did a test print of my fusion 360 model of the lens.

Since the lens is pretty simple, I've been thinking about using a (sanded smooth) print as the master for a silicone mold, in order to resin cast some lenses for my Treadwell.  The print is already sliced with Prusa's smooth variable layer height, so it shouldn't take much sanding.  It could also be wax sealed for extra glossiness.  The main issue is potential shrinkage of the mold during curing.

I'm just spit balling at the moment -- I haven't even got materials for this yet,  much less tested it -- but with a properly made mold it would be entirely feasible to make additional casts to supply treadwell builders.  Something similar to how bb8 holoprojector lenses are done over in that club.  Maybe even a kit of the entire lens holder assembly for those without a printer.


Edit:  I was getting worried about the treads because I haven't found the original blower belts that Paul6700 mentioned very affordable.  The closest I found were belts that were $80 each.  I can't recall how much he paid but IIRC it was a small fraction of that.  As it turns out the store Paul got them from is even pricier now than the one I linked, for shorter belts, so I think he got lucky.  So I appreciate that ripple mat suggestion. I'm not sure what English sellers normally call the stuff as I mostly get pet products and carpets when I search for that phrase, but I'll look around.  We'd need to figure out how to splice it into a loop.