Daniele Guerrini

This week was mainly focused on redesigning Lumina’s neck mechanism.

After the first physical tests, I realized that the original configuration, based on two compact MG90S servos, would not provide enough torque for the final head assembly. The current tests were performed without the animatronic eyes and hair installed, both of which will add additional weight.

Rather than trying to force the original solution to work, I went back to CAD and redesigned the internal mechanism around a larger, higher-torque servo.

One of the main challenges was fitting the new system inside the very limited space available within Lumina’s head while maintaining the required range of movement. Several configurations were evaluated in Rhino, checking dimensions, rotation angles, mechanical clearances and the position of the different components.

The new support system was then 3D printed and physically installed inside the head.

This has been an important step in the development process: the first prototype allowed me to identify the limitations of the original design, and those results directly guided the development of the new version.

The next step will be to integrate the animatronic eye mechanism and test the complete head under a more realistic load, including the additional weight of the eyes and, eventually, the hair.

There is still a lot of work ahead, but Lumina is gradually moving from a digital design to a real mechatronic system.

And the journey continues!!!