Projects / Desk Animatronic Graduate
Desk Animatronic Graduate
The graduation / capstone pack: a laser-cut 3mm birch plywood desk robot that combines a servo expression face with one or two five-digit tendon hands on a torso and base. Built for makers who finished Hand, Servo Face, and/or Mascot Head — integrate power budgeting, coordinated PWM timing, and a keepable presentation piece.
Digital guide + cut files + BOM + code · Parts sourced separately · Capstone · Ages 8–14 with adult help
Pack contents
- Capstone path: base → torso → face → hand(s) → power → coordinated demo
- SVG cut files: desk base, torso panels, face plate, arm/hand nest
- Verified BOM with honest ~$105–332 hardware range (Config A/B)
- First-principles: DOF budgeting, power rails, timing as expression
- Arduino sketch: idle breathe, wave+smile, point+frown, surprise
- Prerequisite notes for Hand / Servo Face / Mascot Head reuse
Typical hardware cost
Default structure is laser-cut birch plywood with real fasteners, Spectra tendons, and hobby micro servos—plus an external 5 V supply (USB cannot drive this many SG90s).
- ~$150–240 Config B (face + one five-digit hand)
- ~$220–280 Config A (dual hands + face + PCA9685 path)
- Reuse prior pack parts to land toward the low end
The $17 pack is the digital guide + cut files + BOM + lessons + coordinated code, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages. Hardware is sourced separately (~$105–332) — see Where to get kit materials. Buy with Stripe is live below.
Questions? Email us at lance.haney@gmail.com.
Pricing
- Home / Personal license $17
- Classroom license $59 — 1 teacher, up to 30 studentsOne $59 Classroom license covers one group of up to 30 students. Each additional group needs another license.
- Build materials available at cost + 10% — email for a quote
Learning outcomes
- Integrate facial expression DOF with a five-digit tendon hand on one birch structure
- Budget electrical power for multi-servo animatronics (external rail + common GND)
- Sequence coordinated gestures without mechanical binding
- Document Config A vs B pin maps honestly
- Finish a keepable desk / club graduation machine