From PATRICEL@zool.umd.edu Thu Apr 24 21:22:04 1997
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 1997 12:29:56
+0500EST
From: GAIL PATRICELLI <PATRICEL@zool.umd.edu>
To: "David R. Delalio" <delalio@eng.umd.edu>
Subject: Re: The bird project
Hi Gail,
I have been thinking about your project we spoke about on Monday. I think creating a controllable puppet-like bird is feasible. When I can contact him, I am planning to ask one of the professors if he knows some undergrad(s) who also might be interested in helping out (extra credit or for fun).
I did have some questions and points for you to consider.
1) What are the general dimensions of the bird? The chest cavity size is most important, but overall dimensions are useful too. This is really quite important to what goes inside, and so should be relatively accurate if possible.
I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A MOUNTED FEMALE SENT TO ME FROM AUSTRALIA. ONCE IT GETS HERE, I CAN MEASURE IT, IN THE MEANTIME. I CAN ONLY BE QUALITATIVE AND SAY THAT THEY'RE A LITTLE LARGER THAN A ROBIN. HOPEFULLY, IT'LL ARRIVE SOON SINCE I KNOW THIS IS IMPORTANT INFO.
2) As the operator, where would you be positioned relative to the bird. In front, behind, doesn't matter? Remember if it does turn out to be mechanically controlled, you will have to be in visual sight of it. Also, mechanical control cords can only be a limited length. What is the closest distance you could be to the nest?
WE OFTEN DO BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATIONS FROM BLINDS, SO WE KNOW THAT IT WON'T BOTHER THE BIRDS MUCH. WE WILL PLACE THE BLINDS LOOKING TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE FEMBOT. IN THE PAST, WE'VE TRIED TO PLACE BLINDS 6 METERS FROM THE BOWERS, BUT CAN GO A BIT CLOSER IF NEED BE.
3) When you mention the shoulders moving, does this include and wing movement as well?
THE ENTIRE WING, SHOULDER AND ALL, WILL NEED TO MOVE AS A UNIT. THIS SHOULD SIMPLIFY MATTERS BY HAVING ONLY ONE CENTER OF MOVEMENT. THE MOUNTED BIRDS WHICH I WILL USE TO MAKE THE FEMBOTS ARE MINE TO MANGLE AND MANIPULATE AS I WISH. IF I NEED TO REMOVE THE WING AND REPLACE THE SHOULDER JOINT WITH SOMETHING ELASTIC, THAT IS FINE. SAME GOES FOR THE HEAD.
5) Please consider the repeated mechanical action. What I mean is -- Imagine the shoulders being pressed apart repeatedly in the field. Will the skin or bone structure eventually break (even with some protection internally) I imagine the skin in a stuffed bird is possibly brittle (I don't have much experience here). Pressing against it could be a problem. What it could mean is rather than pushing internally on the shoulders, replacing them mechanically.
HOPEFULLY, WE CAN ANTICIPATE AREAS OF WEAR AND REPLACE THE BONE AND SKIN WITH SOMETHING ELASTIC.
6) This brings up one more point. If we assume maybe an internal box will be place inside the bird for mechanisms, it may be necessary to alter the bones et al. Changing the shoulders would mean removing some structure. You mention turning the head (maybe) which might require separating it from the body to allow it to turn freely. I guess what I am asking is if you are opposed to altering the stuffed bird irreversibly. I don't know what the original cost was, but to mechanize its movement may require doing the above. Something to think about. Of course, there is the idea of building a model from scratch, but you would know better if this is feasible for what you are trying to accomplish.
David