The monarch butterfly’s exoskeleton is composed of various sclerites and comprise mechanically functional groups. These groups are pulled and distorted from internal elastic muscles. In robotics and animatronics, motors and gearboxes are the muscle equivalent and made of rigid components. The thoracic box of the monarch will function as an enclosure for servo motors and mechanical linkages.
3D print of the thoracic enclosure. Looks like a heart!
I am using Blender to model the butterfly thorax enclosure. This enclosure is 3D printed and assembled with a variety of organic clasps and joints. It has been difficult to create these joints and adjust tolerances with the 3D printer, but I am getting closer to a comfortable shape.
I'd like this to be an homage to the monarchs, and rally attention and support from viewers. A larger than life animatronic monarch may encourage all ages and personalities to think deeply about what these insects mean to us. We need to encourage global and environmental awareness as well as excite an interest in science and education.
Early draft of the monarch thoracic box and servo linkages.
Concept rendering for a twelve times scale monarch butterfly with rotating wings