This is the outline of the assembly instructions for the new CrowBox (internal note: Ploppy v007)
Set up your work area
Find an open, flat work surface with plenty of light. Kitchen table? Perfect.
If you like your table, find something to put down to protect it while you work.
Using hot glue
- Currently just data in outline form. Write this out
Use a “high temperature” glue gun, not a cheapo craft store gun
Recommend “BestStik” high-temperature glue sticks from Surebonder
Use alcohol to release hot glue, DO NOT use a knife
Keep a cup of cool water nearby in case hot glue gets on skin
Using plastic cement
- Data in outline format, write it out
Build Phase One: Sub-assemblies
In this first phase we'll be taking various acrylic parts from the CrowBox kit and assembling them into larger parts of the machine. In Phase Two we'll put the finished machine together from these sub-assemblies.
Baseplate sub-assembly
The Baseplate is the platform upon which the entire CrowBox is built. In this step we'll be adding some reinforcement to the baseplate to make it stronger at the points where the CrowBox will be screwed to a pole or platform.
Gather Parts & Supplies
Machine Baseplate x1
Reinforcing ring x4
Plastic cement
Build it!
Peel the protective paper from one side of the baseplate
Set the baseplate, peeled side UP, on your work surface
Peel the protective paper from both sides of each reinforcing ring
For the next steps, attach one ring at a time then move on to another
Apply a thin bead of plastic cement around one of the holes in the baseplate
Place one reinforcing ring over the same hole and carefully adjust its position so that the hole in the reinforcing ring aligns with the hole in the baseplate. The ring should slide easily on the fresh cement
Repeat until all reinforcing rings are in place
Finally, double check that all of the rings are still properly aligned, then set this sub-assembly aside to dry.
Basket Faceplate sub-assembly
Gather Parts & Supplies
Transparent basket faceplate
Transparent ribs (2 pieces)
Plastic cement
M3x10mm machine screws (4)
M3 nuts (4)
Build It!
Peel protective paper from both side of the basket faceplate
Peel protective paper from both sides of both transparent ribs
Push one machine screw through each of the four holes in the basket faceplate
Place the faceplate flat on your work surface with the screw shanks pointing up
Thread one rib onto the screws by aligning the two holes in the rib with a pair of corresponding screws sticking out of the faceplate - Do not push the rib all the way down against the faceplate yet!
Apply a thin line of cement to the faceplate, directly below the rib
Gently work the rib down the screw shanks until it is flat against the faceplate and pressed into the cement
Repeat the previous step with the other rib
Thread an M3 nut onto each machine screw and hand-tighten
Set this sub-assembly aside to dry
Machine Faceplate sub-assembly
Gather Parts & Supplies
Build It!
Note: Small ribs must be installed first!
- Steps!
Coin Slide sub-assembly
The Coin Slide is an acrylic ramp that catches coins from the funnel and transmits them to the inside of the CrowBox for storage. The coin slide features a network of thin copper wires which also electronically detect the metal coin as it slides into the CrowBox for storage.
Gather Parts & Supplies
Build it!
Peel all protective paper from all acrylic parts
Cement side rails to coin slide
Attach and trim sound dampening material
Weave the wires
Rail sub-assemblies
Here we'll assemble the rails upon which the basket lid will slide. These rails also contribute to the overall structural strength of the CrowBox machine.
Gather Parts & Supplies
Build It!
: Bleah, confusing
Orientation of parts is particularly important in this assembly
Peel protective paper from both sides of all four acrylic parts
Lay the two rails flat on your work surface, arranged as shown
- [Image: Show rail orientation]
Go through the following steps one entire rail at a time, then repeat for the other rail
Push two machine screws through the bottom pair of holes in the rail
Apply a thin line of cement between and beyond the screws on each rail
- [Image: demonstrate glue bead line]
Align the two holes in a lower ledge over the upturned screws in the rail and press the lower ledge down into the line of cement
Thread an M3 nut onto each screw and hand-tighten
Rotor sub-assembly
In this step we'll assemble the rotor, which transmits power from the servo motor to the sliding lid, allowing the reward basket to be opened and closed.
Gather Parts & Supplies
Build It!
Peel protective paper from both sides of the rotor
Peel protective paper from both sides of the rotor servo shoe
Push one M3 machine screw through each of the holes in the rotor
Place the rotor flat on your work surface with screw shanks facing up
Apply three small dots of cement to the rotor, placing one dot between each pair of holes in the rotor
[IMAGE]
Thread the rotor servo shoe onto the three upturned machine screws in the rotor and carefully work the shoe down until it presses flush against the rotor
Thread an M3 nut onto each screw and hand-tighten
Set this sub-assembly aside to dry
Coin Magazine sub-assembly
The coin magazine holds the CrowBox's supply of training coins, which will later be automatically dispensed to help train Crows.
Gather Parts & Supplies
Build It!
- These instructions aren't great
Peel the protective paper from both sides of all six coin magazine parts
NOTE: The four sides of the coin magazine can only be assembled one way so don't worry about getting it wrong
Arrange together all four side panels of the coin magazine to form a square tube
- [IMAGE]
Hold this square tube together gently with one hand, and with the other work the silicone band over the tube to hold it together while we cement.
With the band secured (you may need to double loop it), apply a bead of cement along the four inside corner edges of the square tube as shown
- [IMAGE]
Place the two skids on your work surface, side by side but slightly apart
Apply a thin bead of cement along the long outside edge of each skid
- [IMAGE]
IMPORTANT: For this next step, make sure you don't have the coin magazine upside down!
Lower the coin magazine onto the skids, adjusting them as necessary to attach as shown
- [IMAGE]
Double check the 'squareness' of the coin magazine and the position of the skids before setting this sub-assembly aside to dry.