Starcraft II Marine Armor

For a long time I’ve been interested in several things:

  • Armor: I’ve worn and made medieval armor for SCA combat.
  • Robotics: I competed in combat robotics for several years, with many victories.
  • CNC: Automation tech is what I think can help humanity go exponential.
  • Metalworking: I’ve studied and practiced welding & machining for several years.
  • Design: I’ve done professional engineering, web, and print design.

The powered armor of Starcraft II, built using automation out of metal, is the logical confluence of these themes. My past work is strong in several areas, but I think this the the thing that can really tie it all together.

I’ve also played Starcraft since it came out. I grew up with it. To build something from it would be the realization of my dreams.
ss4_white

Construction Techniques

  • Lost Foam Casting is when a foam shape is packed in special sand, and molten metal is poured in. The foam melts out, and when the metal cools the shape of it is identical to the foam shape.
  • Computer Numeric Control Milling is a method of controlling machinery to produce exact shapes in solid material.
  • Computer Aided Design lets the entire suit be ‘made’ before any molten metal is poured. All hinges and joints can be assigned specifications and stress-tested before any are made.
  • Surface Finishing via several distinct steps and with specific abrasives allow for fast removal of sprues and defects, and best possible finished part appearance.

With luck and tuning, these can hopefully be combined to yield a relatively fast build, and impressive result. Progress will be posted as it comes along.