Generations Grapple Add-On

Something I came up with for Gen. Voyager Grapple. I felt his crane arm was/is limited in alt mode and tends to be more in the way than anything in bot mode. I wanted his crane on his back but still give the possibility of using it in bot mode, and I wanted a proper pivot point for his crane in alt mode.

So I came up with this having the intent to try it out on shapeways.

Anyway, Grapple actually has a fair bit of room in alt mode between his arms and feet so the design is also partly to fill up the gaps and partly just to make it robust (I hope) since I dont really know how the hinges will hold up with this method. The negative is that Grapple will gain a backpack in bot mode with it sticking out about 5/8" from his black back tab (where this will mount) but I think the figure can take the extra kipple.

VERSION 1









Now keep in mind this only attached with an elastic just to get a feel for it. So it isnt solid on his back atm, and because of the elastic, the arm can not collapse to it's designed position.











This was a good prototype and was functional but it didn't work as well as I was hoping. I didn't really want to have to cut off the peg off his arm and what tried doing with the pivot point of the crane platform and how Grapple's crane arm attached to that platform didn't work.

So I decided to try a V2.


VERSION 2

This version eliminates the need to cut the pin off his arm. It also gives better articulation to the crane in order to have it hang off his back pointing down or flipped around to be functional over his head or his shoulder.

I've also changed how the parts attach at the pivot points and made a screw to connect the toy's crane arm to the platform.

Attached Thumbnails

       

I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I have a bunch of doodles that are simmilar to this.
He and possibly InFerno need this type of add-on module.

So if you get this done to your satisfaction, put me on the "Will buy" list.

I would be interested in this for Grapple & Inferno.

Interested

Bravo good sir! Bravo! I (like many others apparently) have had this idea... just not the 3D modeling skills to pull it off.

The only thing I don't easily see is how this will attach to Grappel's back (I'll probably see it when I look at mine tonight). Is it intended to replace the black fold up panel that's there?

I've designed it with the intention of using an epoxy to glue it to that black fold up panel. The only other mod to the figure is the original attachment point for the crane will have to be cut off his forearm. I've played with the idea of trying to keep that post but I dont think it will work out.

neat

Anyone else have any tips or opinions for this.

For anyone that has experience with Shapeways, what material would you recommend for this? Would the standard plastic be workable? I'm hopng to just get it done in black plastic so I dont have to do much painting, is this adviseable?

Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

With Shapeways: Black Strong Flexible is what I would recommend.

The coloring they offer is a dye job after production. The step of dying it
tends to improve their quality rate as they have to lay hands on it and
make sure it is decent print. I have had 5 items printed this year and
all of them that were pre colored came out decent. All of them that
weren't had issues.

Currently working on a v2 of this, will post pics once complete.

I also did get this printed at shapeways and it turned out ok, but now that I know what the material is like, I think I can do a better one. Once Grapple is complete, I can make one with a flat platform that someone could attach a ladder to as well, if people are interested.