These files represent years of hard work by the Input-Inc. team to create a robotic platform that is a screen accurate replica of a well known movie robot. These files are provided under a creative commons license (included) and may only be distributed with that license intact. Please familiarize yourself with this document and the suggestions herein. Building a full-size OpenSAINT robot is an expensive, laborious, and time consuming process. It is recommended you have machining experience, and experience building RC controlled systems.
Before you get started be warned that this robot when built to specification can still be dangerous. Certain safety mechanisms or mechanical considerations have been designed to reduce this risk as much as possible but the design contains multiple high-powered motors, servos, and mechanisms that in their normal operation can injure the operator or bystanders. It is not recommend to run this robot without taking proper precautions to protect those within its field of operation.
Always be sure you have the newest version of the CAD before building, and always get your CAD from the Input-Inc. website, or public Git repository. There may be other links floating around the internet that are either our earlier work, or derivatives based on our earlier work. The Input-Inc. CAD is not guaranteed to be compatible with non-affiliated designs, and in some places it is not compatible with earlier versions of our own work. Use caution when building.
For those without Git experience we recommend downloading Git Desktop and pointing it at this repository. This will ensure that the LFS structure of the repository is retained when you clone it.
- Download GitHub Desktop for your operating system.
- Install it. (For macOS open the zip file and drag the application to your
/Applicationsfolder.) - Open GitHub Desktop.
- Select the
Filemenu and selectClone Repository. - Select the
URLtab from the dialog. - Enter the URL of this repository (Found in the Clone menu on the repository website. HTTPS preferred)
- Choose a location where you want to save the files. IMPORTANT: For Windows you must install at the top level of a drive like C:, because the path names will exceed the Windows maximum length if it is installed elsewhere.
- Click the
Clonebutton. - Wait for the repository to finish downloading.
This requires current versions of git and git lfs. Download and install in whatever way is appropriate for your operating system.
git clone <repository URL> <path to save>
These CAD files are provided in Solidworks format, and can be read by the following programs:
- SolidWorks 2022 or later (Windows only) (Professional / Maker version) - We recommend SolidWorks Maker for maximum compatibility.
- eDrawings 2022 (macOS/Windows) - Basically a read-only version of SolidWorks that does some part conversion and dimensions.
- Fusion 360 (via conversion) (macOS/Windows) - Only converts the solid part of the default configuration. Not recommended.
- OnShape (Web based) (via conversion) - Only converts the solid part of the default configuration. A free and slightly better option than Fusion 360.
Some software packages may only read the solid data from the file and could exclude part configurations or other details. Unless otherwise provided parts do not include flat patterns specified for sheet metal parts. An understanding of CAD tools will be required to extract usable dimensions and patterns for manufacturing.
For reading the MD (Markdown) files within the repository on your desktop (you can always read them natively within Git), you'll need a compatible markdown viewer. Here are some suggestions:
The major sections of the robot are broken into folders and subfolders for sub-assemblies. Part files are named to make locating them within this structure as easy as possible. For example the file: [CRDL-COMN-C-COMN-00] Battery box.SLDPRT Battery Tray could be found at the following path:
ROOT > [04 CRDL] Cradle Base > [ COMN] Common > [C] Battery Box > [ COMN] Common
Input-Inc. uses a few ways to denote differing configurations of assemblies and part files. For certain parts a Solidworks configuration is provided to represent earlier valid versions of the part, as we endeavor to retain backwards compatibility wherever possible. Be sure to check the configurations tab in Solidworks to see the differing versions. For some assemblies a V1 or V2 folder can be found within the folder structure to illustrate differing approaches to building the assembly. Not all versions of all assemblies may be compatible so use caution when deviating from the default configurations.
Building OpenSAINT will require a full suite of tools, and in many cases we suggest having machining capabilities yourself to build these parts. It is strongly recommended that you fully train and familiarize yourself with any machine or tool outlined here. We accept no responsibility for injuries sustained or failed parts from improper use of these tools.
For these machines we recommend the largest you can afford and realistically own.
- Mill (Bench top or larger)
- Lathe (Capable of cutting metal) (Bench top or larger)
- 3D printer (FDM: 350mm2 minimum recommended, Resin)
Fractional and Metric allen wrench sets - Most of the fasteners on OpenSAINT are fractional size socket head cap screws. We recommend a quality set of these that go down to .028” and 0.7mm
Most off-the-shelf parts included in the CAD include part numbers for ease of searching.
- McMaster-Carr - Unless otherwise specified, most of the fasteners can be found here.
- Bolt Depot
- Fastenal
For laser cut parts we’ve found the following vendors to provide excellent results:
- SendCutSend - 2D sheet metal, laser cutting, and some bending.
- OSHCut - 2D sheet metal, laser cutting, and bending
- Ponoko - Plastics laser cutting
- Servo City - Motors, servos, gears
- ASME - Beware knock-offs. This is our recommended vendor.
- CraftCloud - A large marketplace for 3D printing services.
- Part runs - Occasionally Input-Inc. members will have parts for sale, or do parts runs. Visit our Facebook group and check the announcements for parts runs. We do our best to ensure fit and compatibility but you may still need to make adjustments on stuff.
- OpenSAINT part Inventory - Ramon has a running inventory of parts from previous runs and general collecting. Check the list and contact through the Facebook group or by email to make a purchase. Keep in mind that inventory purchases are limited to Patreon Builder/Pro Builder members.
Join us on our Facebook group, and always be on the lookout for build videos.