MA5S Assault Rifle Refined

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Mar 22, 2012

• #1

Hey everyone. If you haven't already, check out my MA5S build I posted a few months back. It was a project for my FX Props class. I'm pretty proud of the fabrication, but the paint job and final build were a bit rushed as the class is only a quarter long.

I wanted to rebuild it when I had the time, and I've finally been able to start the process. This time it will have a bit more precision. I took an Auto CADD/Solidworks class this quarter and our final was to translate a previous project into the software. The pics below will show the final render. As this is an Auto CADD program, it is fully dimensioned in 3d space.

This will most likely be a slow build, as I will be in a mechanical masks class next quarter(a lot of work), but I will most definately keep you all updated. Because I have very accurate 3d models of the rifle, I intend to 3d print a lot of the components. Others will likely be cut out using our Modella machine. These Modella pieces will most likely be formed out of a placeholder light foam. I will then mold the parts out of silicone with a fiberglass jacket and then cast them in a harder plastic later on.

I've also started teaching myself micro-controller programming using the Arduino platform, so I also hope to have a fully functional ammo counter. Anyway, sorry for the novel. I'll try to update as frequently as I can.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Mar 22, 2012

• #2

Just keep in mind that this 3d model will be nothing more than a starting point. A lot of the subtle details are very difficult to model in auto CADD. Once the very basic form of these parts are hashed out, the details will most likely be put in by hand.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Oct 22, 2012

• #3

For my CNC Milling class, I decided to finally start rebuilding my Assault Rifle. So I had to revisit the 3d model and add some more detail. This is what I've done thus far. Some of the parts may be taken off so our Modela machine can mill out the model quickly. Then I'll probably add the smaller panels by laser-cutting acrylic and putting it on that way. There's still some work to do in the design phase, but I should start physical fabrication in a few weeks.

Any comments or critiques are welcome. Thanks.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Oct 30, 2012

• #4

I added a holographic scope based on the silenced SMG to the overall design, and as of right now, it is 3D Printing. Should be done in a half an hour. I'll post a pic as soon as it's done.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Oct 30, 2012

• #5

This is the final 3D printed scope. The dark brown stuff is support material. It makes sure that the ABS plastic has a surface to print on. It allows the 3D printer to print virtually anything. I will put it in a saline bath tomorrow and it will dissolve the support material leaving only the plastic component. I'll post more pics tomorrow once it's done.

 

J

JayAndhek

New Member

• Oct 30, 2012

• #6

Looks great! I cant wait to see the finished product.

 

I

Imp

New Member

• Oct 30, 2012

• #7

i like it looks sleek and mean. only thing that i would change is shorten the barrel a little, but that's just personal choice

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Nov 6, 2012

• #8

Here is the scope out of the support material. I also laser cut out a clear acrylic piece to go in the view screen, it's hard to see in the pics, but its there.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Jan 15, 2013

• #9

Well, it's been a long time since I updated this thread. I've got a lot of different projects going on at the moment. I finally found some time to devote to this one. This project, as much as I've wanted to see it through, keeps getting pushed to the sidelines... No longer! I set up our Shop-Bot machine and went to town today. The only thing that sucks about the shop-bot is that you can't leave it unattended. So I was sitting by its side for the entire 4 hour process. And the best part is that I get to do it again for the second half. check out these process pics and tell me what you guys think.

So there you have it. I still have to mill out the other side and do some finishing work, but the shop bot cuts off a lot of fabricating time. I know a lot of you are thinking that after the second half is done, I'll be pretty close to done. On the contrary, I plan on molding it with a silicone/fiberglass matrix mold. That way, I can make a bunch of them and stuff. I also plan on programming a working ammo counter and compass, so that will be fun. I already ordered a mini-oLED screen and a compass module, all I have to do after that is program them... fun. anyway, let me know what you guys think.

 

O

Oxfurd

New Member

• Jan 15, 2013

• #10

i want a mill also ! . Fantastic!

 

RTWHOCKEY

Active Member

• Jan 15, 2013

• #11

That's awesome! Makes me want a CNC machine, can't wait to see it finished!

 

boomshakra

Active Member

Southwest Regiment

• Jan 16, 2013

• #12

I can't see the pictures of the 3d products...but would really like to!

 

boomshakra

Active Member

Southwest Regiment

• Jan 16, 2013

• #13

Nevermind - it is a problem on my side - carry on!

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Jan 17, 2013

• #14

Just got my compass module in the mail last night, so I'm excited to start playing around with my Arduino and writing some code for it. The oLED screen should show up in the next few days as well. I'm also planning on milling the 2nd half later today. I'll keep y'all updated. Peace.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Jan 23, 2013

• #15

Alright, side numero dos is complete. I also laser cut a few little detail panels that were a bit too small for the mill to cut out. I also used our Modela to mill the grip out of green foam. Next step is to seal it and then mold it.

 

S

Skilander

New Member

• Jan 23, 2013

• #16

I'm really glad I found this thread. So I was reading that you edited those 3d models to comply with the CNC program, was that a huge pain or was it pretty straight forward. I ask because I also have access to a large scale CNC as well as a MakerBot2 and a Laser cutter. I'm really interested to pick your brain and share some ideas. Great work by the way. Thanks
-Good luck.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Jan 24, 2013

• #17

Skilander said:

I'm really glad I found this thread. So I was reading that you edited those 3d models to comply with the CNC program, was that a huge pain or was it pretty straight forward. I ask because I also have access to a large scale CNC as well as a MakerBot2 and a Laser cutter. I'm really interested to pick your brain and share some ideas. Great work by the way. Thanks
-Good luck.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate it. It's pretty straight forward as long as you know what type of files the CNC machine likes. Generally, CNC machines like solid and watertight models. I usually use STLs for my format. 3D printers are usually the same. We have a Dimension and uPrint 3d printer and they like STLs also. For this project, I used a ShopBot3 and it has given me great results thus far. I was tempted for this project to mill out a negative of the rifle instead of a positive, effectively making a mold, but decided against it since I would have to cast a rigid material in a rigid mold. On the laser cutter front, I love that machine. It has so many applications, it's ridiculous. If you care to look, one of my other threads is about an ONI ID card I made with our laser cutter using laserable plastic. It's also super easy to use. Let me know if you have any questions specifically and I'll definitely share what I know.

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Jan 31, 2013

• #18

Alright, I've taken my milled slabs of assault rifle and coated them in a thin coat of resin. It's not for molding purposes so much as just sealing the MDF. MDF is rather porous so I didn't want to continue until it was sealed. I would have used bondo, but it's a bit thick and I didn't want to add too much material. Next step is to sand it down, use some bondo in the larger correction areas and make it all nice and shiny. Then it be moldin' time.

 

A

AdenS

Jr Member

Pacific Regiment

• Jan 31, 2013

• #19

Very nice!

 

Thugzz Deluxxxe

Active Member

Mountain Regiment

• Feb 6, 2013

• #20

So, I've gotten a lot of the surface sanded down, but there was still a good deal of stair-stepping from the Mill, so I decided to bust out the bondo.

Still a lot of work as far as bondo and smoothing out the surface, but it's a good start. I'm going to primer the surface so I can better see which areas need attention. It's tough when you have different colors all over the place. It makes seeing peaks and valleys a lot more difficult.

On the electronics front, I got my components in the mail the other day. I received a mini oLED screen and a compass module. The idea is to make an ammo counter with a working compass.

This is the oLED screen. It's a 1.8" screen.

This is the compass module. It can sense magnetic fields, correctly determining the orientation of the module.

That's my progress thus far. The model itself is coming along nicely. Everything else depends on me learning enough programming to get the ammo counter working. Questions/Comments are welcome.