{"id":409,"date":"2009-07-30T00:42:48","date_gmt":"2009-07-30T05:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scope-eye.net\/?p=409"},"modified":"2009-10-05T14:41:56","modified_gmt":"2009-10-05T19:41:56","slug":"hakuheisen-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/?p=409","title":{"rendered":"Hakuheisen Update"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I had been trying to finish this up for Otakon in mid-July but that didn&#8217;t work out&#8230;  When I first resumed work on the project there was more that needed to be done than I had thought: the planned wiring was unfinished, some parts hadn&#8217;t been sanded or even glued, and so on.  In the weeks leading up to Otakon I was almost able to get the model ready for paint: with a few days left before the convention I decided I wasn&#8217;t going to be able to hit the deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Now, with the convention behind me, I&#8217;ve resumed work on the project. At this point I&#8217;m returning to aspects of the project I&#8217;d had to skip in my attempt to hit the Otakon deadline and setting up the kit parts for painting.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"This is an old photo I took of the assembled Hakuheisen\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20071003_Hakuheisen_preview_2.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20071003_Hakuheisen_preview_2_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/ac3_1024_a.jpg\" title=\"\u5bb9\u8c8c\u7aef\u6b63\u306a\u5974\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/ac3_1024_a-150x150.jpg\" title=\"\u5bb9\u8c8c\u7aef\u6b63\u306a\u5974\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-420\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/ac3_06.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/07\/ac3_06-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"B.A.M.F.\" title=\"B.A.M.F.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-422\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<h3>Parts<\/h3>\n<p>Although a few parts are still undergoing work, most are ready for paint. Armored Core kits have lots of small detail parts to them: one can either glue these in their final location early, and then mask and paint the detail areas, or keep the detail parts separate and risk losing them before final assembly&#8230;  I have kept most of the detail parts separate to simplify the painting process.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"All kit parts\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_1.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_1_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Most of the parts are now on sticks for painting\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_2.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_2_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"These parts are not yet set up for painting\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_3.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_parts_3_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Detail Part Separation<\/h3>\n<p>Early in the course of the project there were some detail parts I&#8217;d permanently attached in order to reduce the overall parts count &#8211; but at this point on the project I&#8217;ve decided that I&#8217;d rather reduce the number of parts that need masking even if that means a few more separate parts to deal with in the mean time.  To remove the gray part in the area of the AC&#8217;s neck, I drilled a hole through the core from underneath and pushed the neck area part out from below.  To remove the gray detail bits on the sides of the core, I drilled holes in the shoulder area of the core (where they will be covered up by the shoulder joints) and pushed the parts out from behind.  Removing the plates on the sides of the lower legs was the hardest problem: these parts had been glued in quite securely, I needed to destroy them in the process of removing them to get them out, and then redrill the snap-fit holes.  Fortunately, the Nine Ball kit included an extra set of these parts due to a color molding issue.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"The site where a small, hexagonal detail plate was pushed out to simplify painting\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_core_detail_1.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_core_detail_1_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"The hole I drilled so I could push out the hexagonal detail plates on the sides of the core\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_core_detail_2.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_core_detail_2_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"The state of the lower leg after removing the original detail plates (destroying them in the process) - I am replacing the destroyed plates with spares from another kit.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_3.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_3_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Leg Detail<\/h3>\n<p>Armored Core kits tend to be quite good about properly representing the complex detail of the original designs: however, if you look carefully there are places where bits of detail wound up distorted, or with obvious draft angle problems.  I&#8217;ve corrected a couple such problems including these visible on the lower legs.<br \/>\n<a title=\"The gray part is one I modified for this project: the black and red part is an unmodified spare from another kit.  Note the circular detail near the bottom of the shin is now circular...\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_1.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_1_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Two differences to note here: the first is that the rectangles on the sides of the legs were redone: the originals were molded from a bad angle and thus, instead of a hollow-extrusion of a rectangle it's more of a ramp.  The other difference is that I've trimmed back areas of the part that will be covered by the lower leg parts, so that this part may be attached to or detached from the lower leg without disturbing the rest of the lower leg assembly.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_2.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_detail_2_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Leg Wiring<\/h3>\n<p>This model will feature lights in the head, in the back-mounted thrusters and in the leg-mounted thrusters.  Furthermore, the operation of these lights will be controlled by a microcontroller to be placed in the model&#8217;s belly.  When the lighting circuit is complete I&#8217;ll be able to connect to a port installed in the ankle to provide power to the lights and to send instructions to the microcontroller.  The microcontroller board still isn&#8217;t ready, nor is the software &#8211; but in the mean time the model is being prepared to support it.  What this means at this point is that a bundle of five wires must be run from each lower leg up to the hips &#8211; and from there into the belly.  Arranging a safe route for all those wires was a bit of a challenge.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"The pods on the side of the lower leg hold the leg thrusters. Here you can see the wires connected to the LEDs for those thrusters routed around the top of the lower leg and into the interior.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_1.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_1_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"To minimize the risk of breakdown and simplify the repair process when something breaks, I try to keep my wiring systems modular where possible.  Here is the five-pin connector that will be used to connect the lower-leg wiring to the upper leg.  Two lines are for power and ground, two are for data and clock, and one is used by the microcontroller in the belly to activate the LEDs in the lower leg.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_2.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_2_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"I opened up a hole in the bottom of the lower leg (bigger than I needed, really) to provide access to the four-pin power\/data port that will be used to provide power and instructions to the finished model.  Here you can see an unused connector attached to the port.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_3.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_3_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Lighting test! Because the thruster parts haven't been painted yet, they glow when the LEDs are on.  The effect is exaggerated a bit in this photo.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_4.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_4_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"The five wires running from the microcontroller to each lower leg will run directly through the center of the knee joint. From there, the wires are routed down the front of the lower leg, behind the gray shin-plate.  Note the opening into which the wires finally pass is large enough for a connector.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_5.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_5_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Another view of the routing of the wires.  The wires aren't quite seated properly now: when the shin-plate isn't there to make them stay put they tend to wander.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_6.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_6_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Above the knee joint, the wire bundle passes through the back of the upper leg.  The detail panel for the back of the upper leg was modified a bit to provide more space for the wire bundle.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_7.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_7_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"This is how the wiring will appear when the model's assembled and the knee is fully bent.  The wires are visible when the knee bends, but the impact of this is lessened by the space-filler I added to the hollow knee area of the shin plate.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_8.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_8_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"When the knee is in a more straight pose, the wire bundle is barely visible at all.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_9.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_9_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"After the shin plate has been placed and removed, the wires are a little better behaved.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_10.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_10_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><a title=\"I colored the outside of one of the thrusters black to try to give a better impression of how it should look when lit up after it's been painted. Since the light leak out the sides of the thruster have been reduced, the effect of LED glow at the end of the thruster should be more clear.\" href=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_11.jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"model-data\/1_72_AC_Hakuheisen\/20090729_Hakuheisen_leg_wiring_11_thumb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At this point one of the two upper legs still needs some work done on its wire channel, and there&#8217;s a few other details to attend to, like adding recessed rectangular details to the backs of the hands (this detail is present on the stock kit hands, but I am using aftermarket hands by Kotobukiya) &#8211; and there&#8217;s more work to be done repairing the detail plates on the lower legs&#8230;  From there, I think the kit could use a scrub to make sure all the parts are free of dust and oil and then I can get started painting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I had been trying to finish this up for Otakon in mid-July but that didn&#8217;t work out&#8230; When I first resumed work on the project there was more that needed to be done than I had thought: the planned wiring was unfinished, some parts hadn&#8217;t been sanded or even glued, and so on. In the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,3],"tags":[30],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=409"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":457,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409\/revisions\/457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scope-eye.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}