Introduction: Transformers: Astrotrain
This is my final project in college, I wanted to redesign an old transformer from the 1980's cartoon Transformers in the new style seen in Micheal Bays movies. The character I chose is Astrotrain, a Transformer that could change form from robot to freight train. To make him more suited to be seen in Ireland I changed his alternate form from a freight train to the Luas found in Dublin. He isn't able to transform but he turned out to be one hell of a model kit! My project was 15 weeks long where I had to design the robot and the Luas and make a short video of the transformation. The model is made up of 220 individual pieces and stands 34 cm high.
Here is a video of the robot in action!
Step 1: Designing the Luas and Astrotrain
The First thing I had to do was make the Luas a popular Irish transport found in Dublin. Using my friend to stand beside it I took a few pictures of him beside it to make out a rough height of the Luas. once I made out the dimensions I begin to model it in 3ds Max in college, when the Luas was finished I designed the robot. Once astrotrain was finished I broke it down into individual pieces,saved them as STL files and sent them to the 3d printing company Shapeways located in New York.
Step 2: Sanding...
Once I had all the pieces I realised how much pieces I had to sand and prime! ...over and over again...
The first thing I did was get my dremil and drill a small hole into every piece and slot in a small rod which allowed me to prime and dry without the paint sticking to any other surface. After the first prime it was time to begin sanding with 600 grade sand paper.
When using the sand paper if you wet it first it makes the who process about ten times easier. once the pieces are all sanded back it is now time to stick the rods back into them and re-prime all the pieces. Its now time to sand again but continue moving up the grades up to 1200 grade sand paper and you will have a nice sharp finish on the 3d prints.
Its now time for the paint job where I used acrylic paints along with a specially mixed can of spray paint to the metallic silver/purple paint job of the Luas transport.
Step 3: Some Assembly Required.
Once all the pieces were painted it was now time to assemble Astrotrain.
Step 4: Astrotrain Finished

Participated in the
Toy Contest

Participated in the
3D Printing Contest

Participated in the
Epilog Challenge V
31 Comments
5 years ago
Do you have just a static file? I might be able to design a way for it to transform.
5 years ago
Do you still have the files for this? Using Pepakura, you might be able to make it a papercraft.
7 years ago on Introduction
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 years ago on Introduction
So what are you working on now?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
At the moment I'm actually working on two projects. Since I still have the program I made this guy in I decided to make another transformer that could turn into a Dublin bus I'm just rendering out the final video for it now. The other project I'm working on is a magneto helmet from the x men comics. Again that's nearly done now so I'm planning on making an instructables for that one sometime in the future! Are you working on anything?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
What program do you use?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes in fact, I'm working on some Lego transformers right now, and I'm also doing some sculptures in 123d Creature, here's a picture of the progress I've made on my Anime style robot bust.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
After I painted it, it didn't look as "Anime style" as I wanted to, but that's okay.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
that's pretty cool nice job!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
TNX!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Here's the updated version, I added some dents and cracks and a little bit more paint, especially in the cracks, to give it sort of a "robot blood" look, if you catch my drift. Hope you like the update!
8 years ago on Introduction
I think your new picture is easier to see because of the white background.
8 years ago on Introduction
it's good.
8 years ago on Introduction
it's good.
8 years ago on Introduction
it's good.
8 years ago on Introduction
it's good.
8 years ago on Introduction
it's good.
8 years ago on Introduction
Are these metal parts? Or are they all plastic?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I got all the pieces printed from a company called shapeways. All the pieces are printed using white plastic. Metal is way way way too expensive for me!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Okay, so you used metal colored spray paint then. (It's just such a great model that it gave me the impression that you used very expensive materials.) Keep up the good work!(: