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A Robot With a Chainsaw!

mikejuk writes "If you are a fan of the Sci-Fi sub-genre of robot apocalypses, you may well not want to give a robot a chainsaw to wield. If, on the other hand, you are a creative artist, then it seems well worth the risk, as this video demonstrates. In this case the robot is a standard industrial arm with an electric chainsaw mounted where the gripper would normally go. Exactly what the robot is doing isn't obvious to the viewer, but once it is finished the whole thing is disassembled to reveal two wooden stools and some interesting shapes. A robot with a chainsaw is just a subtractive 3D printer."

101 comments

  1. A very slippery slope by Nidi62 · · Score: 2

    We are now one step closer to robot sharks with frickin laser beams on their heads.

    --
    The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    1. Re:A very slippery slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're a bit late to the party.

      Although, technically, we have yet to attach a laser to a shark's head. As far as I am aware.

    2. Re:A very slippery slope by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Yes, but the only thing scarier than a shark is a robot shark. Well, maybe a zombie shark, but lets hope we never have to deal with those.

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    3. Re:A very slippery slope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ZOMB!

      God is Dead" - Nietzsche
      "Nietzsche is Dead" - God
      "I'm alive!!!!" - Zombie Nietzsche
      "Well played, Zombie Nietzsche." - God

  2. with chainsaw hands by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I want to be an Adrienne Barbeaubot!

    1. Re:with chainsaw hands by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I want to be an Adrienne Barbeaubot!

      It's only got one chainsaw hand, and I'm not seeing any “Jugs of Justice”. So, not a proper Barbeau-Bot.
      Not impressed.

  3. Re:nihao bitches!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Honda is Japanese. The same goes for Samurai. HTC is Taiwanese.

    The porn cartoons, bullet trains, and "all that shit" is less specific, but Japan, the "land of the rising sun", is strongly implied. This is not a terribly strong argument to learn Korean.

    Also, your post ends with an extraneous quotation mark.

  4. Subtractive 3D Printers don't harm people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    People harm people.... sometimes using subtractive 3D printers

    1. Re:Subtractive 3D Printers don't harm people by durrr · · Score: 1

      Just tell them to make sure that the head mesh is attached to the rest before clicking submit.

  5. Oh come on... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If are a fan of the Sci-Fi genre

    Really...?

    1. Re:Oh come on... by Barryke · · Score: 1

      They must have forgotten that today Sci-Fi genre stands for "vampires and paranormal fiction". :'(

      --
      Hivemind harvest in progress..
    2. Re:Oh come on... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're confusing Sci-Fi with Sy Fy. Most nerds, when we think of sci-fi, think BOOKS, not B movies. That's not to say that there havent been many excellent sci-fi movies; I have shelves full. But you'll seldom if ever see them on Sy Fy.

      I think the reason they changed the network's name was because they realized that very little of what they showed was sci-fi.

  6. CNC machine by stenvar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A "subtractive 3D printer" is usually called a "CNC machine".

    1. Re:CNC machine by ron_ivi · · Score: 3, Interesting

      "Subtractive 3D printer" is a better term, though.

      CNC == Computer Numerical Control

      CNC would be a better acronym for a calculator.

    2. Re:CNC machine by mr_mischief · · Score: 3, Insightful

      A CNC machine already exists and doesn't look like part of a human. Slashdot loves new things, robots, things that cut, things that are overly powerful, and things that seem dangerous. Honestly, a CNC milling, cutting, and routing machine could often use something like a chainsaw in its initial steps to speed things up. This guy might have inspired something useful.

      tl;dr : CNC is useful, but a robot with a chainsaw is fucking cool

    3. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Perhaps, but if you actually want to buy one, it's better to use the term everybody else uses...

    4. Re:CNC machine by Hentes · · Score: 1

      Right, and the problem wasn't with that, but with the terminology. Cutting up something into parts is not substraction, because you can cut out several objects from one piece of wood, thus there's much less waste.

    5. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really.

      Any industrial machine that uses a computer to provide automation is CNC, as long as the automation isn't provided by a cam or other mechanical means.

      What this is called is a cnc mill. It's an automated cutting surface.

      "subtractive printer"? What the fuck? When is HP coming out with that? At least a full page porrtait would, in theory, save me paper.

    6. Re:CNC machine by Ol+Biscuitbarrel · · Score: 2

      You should get a load of my "additive eraser."

    7. Re:CNC machine by julesh · · Score: 1

      You should get a load of my "additive eraser."

      do you mean a pencil, perchance?

    8. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no, still called subtraction because waste is involved. subtraction is when the sum of the volume of the final parts is less than the volume of the initial material, i.e. the waste is what is subtracted.

    9. Re:CNC machine by HiThere · · Score: 1

      More specifically, a CNC machine normally doesn't have any intelligence, so it's not a robot, any more than a telefactor is. And telefactors often have MORE internal intelligence than CNC machines. They need to avoid causing harm by accident to either themselves or others. CNC machines often just operate out of ROM, with essentially no state. (Well, they do have a tiny bit of state, but not much. And this one might not need any.)

      I really despise the way the term "robot" is being abused for anything mechanical. A robot car is reasonable for a self-driving, or even self-parking car. But applying it to a remote controlled arm is like calling a car with power steering a robot. And the fact that the actions are pre-programmed doesn't improve things. Not unless you want to call a thermostatically controlled heater a robot.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    10. Re:CNC machine by Dogtanian · · Score: 1

      You should get a load of my "additive eraser."

      do you mean a pencil, perchance?

      I think he means Tippex or Liquid Paper.

      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    11. Re:CNC machine by camperdave · · Score: 1

      I believe that it isn't technically a robot unless the end effector has at least three degrees of freedom.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    12. Re:CNC machine by WrecklessSandwich · · Score: 2

      To be more precise, it's a CNC mill.

    13. Re:CNC machine by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      CNC is continuous numeric control. So most modern computer controlled machines are CNC. The computer monitors and controls both speed and position and is doing a fairly sophisticated job.

      NC is numeric control. Examples are stepper motor motivated machines. The computer just tells the machine to move 1000 steps.

      To use a computer analogy (that most of you won't remember) stepper motor hard drives vs voice coil. The voice coil drives head control is CNC, stepper motor drives head control is NC. You know the drive is only NC when it slams into the stop to find track 0. It was just keeping count of what track it was on and got confused.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    14. Re:CNC machine by radish · · Score: 3, Informative

      Not according to Wikipedia, or this site or this one or this one. You get the idea - I can't really find anything defining CNC as anything other than Computer Numerical Control(led).

      Sucks being both a pendant and wrong. Must sting.

      Yes, must.

      --

      ---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"

    15. Re:CNC machine by jimshatt · · Score: 4, Funny

      The word is 'pedant' ;-)

    16. Re:CNC machine by camperdave · · Score: 1

      You should get a load of my "additive eraser."

      do you mean a pencil, perchance?

      I think he means that bottle of whiteout taped to his left hand.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    17. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      CNC == Continuous numerical control. As opposed to NC machines which are simply numerical control. Both are computer controlled.

      Try "Computer Numerical(ly) Controlled".

    18. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're making that up. CNC and NC are both synonyms and both acronyms for [Computer] Numeric Control. Your stepper motor example still has a computer controlling it.

    19. Re:CNC machine by RespekMyAthorati · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sucks to be a pedant who can't spell. Must sting.

    20. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Only if it's a mill. It might be a laser cutter or some other CNC variant.

    21. Re:CNC machine by Smerta · · Score: 2

      Oh dear. It looks as though Muphry's Law strikes again!

    22. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      CNC mills, especially types with 5 axes, have EXTREMELY complicated feedback and drive system with zillion compensation parameters. So, their "intelligence" is 10..100x higher than any industrial robot will ever need.
      So dont generalize home-made-table-CNC with parallel port PC control :)

    23. Re:CNC machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not according to Wikipedia, or this site or this one or this one. You get the idea - I can't really find anything defining CNC as anything other than Computer Numerical Control(led).

      Sucks being both a pendant and wrong. Must sting.

      Yes, must.

      He meant to call you a pedant, actually.

    24. Re:CNC machine by Sigg3.net · · Score: 1

      tl;dr : CNC is useful, but a ROBOT WITH A CHAINSA is _Freagingly amazing mothaFUCKA COOL!!!

      Added some emphasis there ya.

  7. Already exists (Re:A very slippery slope) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Already exists, e.g.: http://www.kuka-robotics.com/en/solutions/branches/aerospace/applications/B_Aviation_Laser_Welding.htm

  8. next on the list by pswPhD · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now all they need is to collect all the sawdust, add some resin and make an additive 3D printer!

    1. Re:next on the list by Yetihehe · · Score: 3, Interesting
      --
      Extreme Programming - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Developers
  9. Re:nihao bitches!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seems obvious to me... In the future, the people of Japan and Taiwan will speak Korean.

  10. Good machine, poor software by Animats · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He has a 5-axis robot with a cutting tool. That's enough to do real sculpture. Just grinding out a three-legged table with straight cuts is far less than the machine could do. This suggests the software being used isn't a real 5-axis CNC package. He needs HyperMill. Take a look of what that can do with a 5-axis mill.

    1. Re:Good machine, poor software by cynyr · · Score: 1

      right, he could have at least made a look-alike of one of those pedestals with the reflective metal balls on it that you see in peoples gardens.

      --
      All of the above was encrypted with a Quad ROT-13 method. Unauthorized decryption is in violation of the DMCA.
    2. Re:Good machine, poor software by RivenAleem · · Score: 1

      Okay, so I get 3-axis (x, y, z) what are the other 2 axis for? Will it make a Mobius loop?

    3. Re:Good machine, poor software by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You need more than three degrees of freedom to be able to insert the tool from different angles. A CNC-tool that only moves in the X-, Y- and Z-directions is severely limited in what it can produce.

    4. Re:Good machine, poor software by HybridST · · Score: 1

      I want one which can manipulate the T-dimension.

      --
      Ever notice that Cobra Commander sounds an awful lot like Star scream?
    5. Re:Good machine, poor software by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The other 2 are rotational about one of the main 3. They are typically called A, B, and C. So the A axis rotates around X, B around Y, C around Z. The most common is the A axis, since the X axis is typically defined as the axis of longest travel. Naming all the axies (axes? axii? dunno) gets complicated with machines like the Mazak Integrex. The control looks like something from a freaking nuclear reactor.

  11. I for one... by Kotoku · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...welcome our new hedge pruning, tree trimming, log cutting, Edward Chainsaw-hands overlords.

    1. Re:I for one... by PerMolestiasEruditio · · Score: 1

      ... run away from our new hedge pruning, tree trimming, log cutting, Edward Chainsaw-hands overlords.

    2. Re:I for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Makes a good security guard. Wanna poke around and argue?

    3. Re:I for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's preparing for the inevitable robot zombie apocalypse.

  12. Bad chainsaw technique by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

    With a robot I suppose it doesn't matter, unless there are humans nearby; but going into a piece of wood nose first with a chainsaw is asking for trouble if you're a human. It's a good way to get a face-full of chainsaw (or foot-full, depending on the orientation).

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Kickback is an issue because a human holding a chainsaw cannot compensate for the sudden unexpected movement of the saw. I wouldn't expect this to be an issue with the superior grip of our robot overlords.

    2. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by chienandalou · · Score: 1

      Yep. I was going to ask for a chainsaw robot army, but not these.

    3. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This thing is a lot stronger than a human. You can do a lot more with a chainsaw if you're strong enough to wield it with precision, rather than letting the blade kick around like a human has to.

    4. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

      Well John Henry says to his captain,
      A man ain't nothin' but a man,
      But before I get beat by this old piece of steel
      I'll die with a chainsaw in my hand
      Die with a chainsaw in my hand.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    5. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Chainsaw art is done almost exclusively with the nose of the saw.

      They do just nuzzle at the wood, though, picking and chipping away piece by piece, not just shove it straight in.

      AC

    6. Re:Bad chainsaw technique by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You can do it safely if you know what you are doing and have the teeth on the chain grinded in the right angle. You don't want to do it with a chain filed to do ordinary tree felling though.

      There are lots of people doing artwork with chainsaws, and it's common procedure.

  13. Already Obsolete by Guppy · · Score: 1

    Yes, yes, the chainsaw is impressive in a crude sort of way. But everyone knows the finest Killbots must be equipped with a machine gun. And Lotus Notes.

    1. Re:Already Obsolete by Greyfox · · Score: 1

      Noooooo! Not Lotus Notes! It's too horrible! Even a soulless robot would feel bad about subjecting anyone to Lotus Notes!

      --

      I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

    2. Re:Already Obsolete by ericloewe · · Score: 1

      Since they'll need a screen to horrify people with Lotus Notes, I suggest a hypothetical finest Killbot be equipped with either Microsoft Bob or Clippy.

      "I see you're about to be killed by a robot. Do you want to read about Asimov's Laws of Robotics?"

  14. "...a subtractive 3D printer..." by John+Hasler · · Score: 1

    Or a really, really crude milling machine.

    --
    Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  15. Guten Tag ! - learn german by burni2 · · Score: 1

    "KUKA ist eine deutsche Firma"

    O Hi O ;)

    1. Re:Guten Tag ! - learn german by chronokitsune3233 · · Score: 1

      Allemande est trop difficile. Etudiez le français. (Je comprends un peu du français, mais je ne peux pas le parler bien.)

      --
      I have been a captive in America my entire life. Everybody and everything uses customary units instead of metric.
  16. This is great! by mmmmbeer · · Score: 1

    Now after I defeat this robot, I will gain the Robot Chainsaw power.

  17. Hey baby, do you want to kill all humans? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We should hang out.

    -Bender

  18. Re:nihao bitches!! by godrik · · Score: 4, Informative

    without even mentionning that "nihao" is chinese...

  19. Visionary Writer by jasnw · · Score: 1

    WIlliam Gibson had a chainsaw-wielding robot in "Mona Lisa Overdrive" and another one with an acetylene torch stinger in its tail. Some radical iron-mongery.

    1. Re:Visionary Writer by tlambert · · Score: 1

      I think you are looking for chapter 2:

      "Kid Afrika came cruising into Dog Solitude on the last day in November, his vintage Dodge chauffeured by a white girl named Cherry Chesterfield.
      Slick Henry and Little Bird were breaking down the buzzsaw that formed the Judge's left hand when Kid's Dodge came into view, its patched apron bag throwing up brown fantails of the rusty water that pooled on the Solitude's uneven plain of compacted steel."

    2. Re:Visionary Writer by Genda · · Score: 1

      See children, this is what happens when you mix stock car racing, LSD and Red Bull... a warning to the wise!

    3. Re:Visionary Writer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was a circular saw rather than a chain saw, but it made me think of the terminator in T3 cutting the hearse roof, and the particle accelerator it was stuck to.

  20. Say what? by bmo · · Score: 1

    "A robot with a chainsaw is just a subtractive 3D printer."

    So every machine tool is a subtractive 3D printer? "Removing everything that isn't Apollo" from the block of marble is "subtractive 3D printing?"

    Good to know that we've been "subtractive 3D printing" since the paleolithic era.

    --
    BMO

  21. "Robots Are Our Friends" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Sometimes they like to maim and kill...."

    Credit: Albinoblacksheep.com

  22. That was a monster in The Cabin in the Woods. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Pretty sure that was a monster in The Cabin in the Woods.

  23. Sawfish ROV by NorthwestWolf · · Score: 1

    This reminds me of the Sawfish ROV http://www.tritonlogging.com/what-we-do/harvest-technologies/the-sawfish-underwater-harvester/ used to harvest submerged trees.

  24. Re:Kitty Say what? by TheRealHocusLocus · · Score: 1

    "A robot with a chainsaw is just a subtractive 3D printer."

    A robot with Gatling Gun arms is just a subtractive swiss cheese maker.

    A robot with a nailgun is just a tacky solution to a loosely defined problem.

    A robot with breasts is just a publicity stunt.

    --
    <blink>down the rabbit hole</blink>
  25. Robot with a chainsaw! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The sequel to Hobo with a shotgun.
    Robot with a chainsaw!

    1. Re:Robot with a chainsaw! by colfer · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately it's much worse, surgeon with a fetish: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1959332/

  26. Johnny Von Scissorhands by postagoras · · Score: 1

    Can it carve another robot with a chainsaw?

  27. Sandy's Revenge by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    Put something like these in schools to protect from crazed shooters. Or simplify them to be like the flat battle-bots with spikes and blades. Such might not outright stop the shooter, but with a pair nipping at the feet of a shooter or two, it would greatly slow them down. Include a mace cannon.

  28. Chainsaws are cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  29. So uh, this is how... by Genda · · Score: 1

    Ikea builds the terminator??? Ya, dis is a lovely little table and set of bar stoowels... RUN!!!!

  30. Re:Kitty Say what? by Genda · · Score: 1

    A robot with breasts is just a publicity stunt.

    And I thought it was Nicki Manaj... oh, I guess we're both right!

  31. No Saw Required by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Many industrial robots have arm speeds that are more than adequate to send a human head flying about in chunks. A three hundred pound arm with a tip speed about equal to a golf clubs top speed will do one heck of a number on anything that gets in its way. Safety mats with pneumatic sensors help keep plant engineers alive but shutting down robots if they are approached. You only get one mistake around these critters.

  32. Wrongo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Definitely not a robot with a chainsaw.
    It's a chainsaw with a robot.

  33. subtractive 3D printer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    subtractive 3D printer is called a CNC machine

  34. Re:nihao bitches!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's a copy pasta. Dude.

  35. Nice slogan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "A robot with a chainsaw is just a subtractive 3D printer"

    I should have that on a t-shirt.

  36. Killing him softly with his saw by avishorp4028 · · Score: 1

    Simpsons of course.

  37. Just a milling machine. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Only with a chain saw instead of a metal cutter.

  38. But does it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...get power from Lollipops? Juliet Starling FTW!

  39. We need to train robots to use chainsaws... by Jason+Levine · · Score: 1

    ... so that they can fight against the zombie apocalypse. And when the robots try to take over, we'll enlist the aid of Lizard-like aliens to crush them. I know what you're thinking: But what about when the Lizard-aliens take over? That's the best part of the plan. When winter rolls around, the Lizard-aliens will just freeze to death. Problem solved.

    --
    My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
  40. Final product could be more finished by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The process here needs to add two more robots down the line. Needs a sanding robot and a urethane clearcoat finish spraying bot. Then at least that way you could have a wooden stool that could be used without getting slivers in your ass.

  41. KUKA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "KUKA ist eine deutsche Firma"

    And talking about KUKA robots with a swede will make them giggle ... :)

  42. With all the technology... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...why is it a gas powered chainsaw?

  43. Subtractive 3D printer? by Sheik+Yerbouti · · Score: 1

    A subtractive 3D printer is called a 5 axis machining center they exist and are used in manufacturing every day all around the world... geez!

    See here for a demonstration http://youtu.be/RnIvhlKT7SY

  44. build a better robot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I want a robot with a laser guided bee canon!

  45. Re:nihao bitches!! by kelemvor4 · · Score: 1

    without even mentionning that "nihao" is chinese...

    In the future, all languages will be Korean. Chinese becomes Korean-C.