Recyclable Robo-Dancer

The reason I created this instructable is because I was assigned to make one by my geometry teacher. The goal was to construct an instructable which incorperated both mathematical geometry and the green theme. We were also required to do this as a group. We decided to make some sort of sculpture out of recyclable material, (such as cans or milk cartons). We ended up making an artsy, robot-looking break dancer out of cans, bottles, cartons, wax, glue and wire. The way we included surface area and volume (mathematics), is by calculating both the surface area and volume of the entire artsy robot and comparing it to how much recyclable material fills landfills each week. We then decided if people take interest in our instructable or artsy creation, we could end up promoting people to make art out of plastic thus keeping plastic out of landfills. The numbers could add up and we could make a change in the community.

1. Wire cloths hangers
2. Plastic bottles, a 2 liter milk carton, aluminum cans
3. A plastic torso. (I used an old, rectangular carton of weed killer)
4. An old candle. (wax)
5. Scissors
6. Glue (preferably hot glue gun)
7. Spray Paint (optional)
8. A way to safely melt a candle (stove, pan, etc.)
9. Tape (optional- to separate bottles and cans on wire)
10. A hammer to straighten wire.
11. Wire cutters

First, you unravel a wire clothes hanger, straighten out all the bends, and make about a 90 degree angle in the middle of the wire. Then poke a hole in the bottom of two empty soda cans and connect them through the wire so they end up close, right next to the angle in the middle of the wire. After this, to secure the cans in their position you can ravel a piece of duct tape under the can so it doesn't slide down the wire and fall off. Once the cans are secure, you then cut the cone-shape piece off the top of two 20 fl.oz. bottles. Then coil the ends of the wire and place the wire coils inside the cut-off bottles. Finally to provide stability and secure the wire coils, pour hot wax into the bottles and let them cool and harden. This will slightly deform the bottle due to the heat but it adds cool affect.

To connect the torso and head, you first need to poke two holes on the top of the rectangular torso and cut open the other side so it is like an open box. To connect the torso to the legs, you need to connect the open part of the torso on top of the 90 degree angle and cans you made for the legs. Then insert a straightened wire down through one of the holes you made on the top of the torso and with a little more than half of the wire left, tie the wire around the 90 degree angle a couple times and extend it up through the other hole you made in the top of the torso. You should have ended up with a torso attached to legs with a couple inches of wire extending up through the two holes on the top of the torso, (this wire will support the head). With a milk carton, flip it upside down and make sure the handle is facing directly away from you. Then poke two holes in the side of the neck, (Frankenstein style) and extend the wires up through the neck. After the wires have been tightened and in place, to completly secure the robot and prevent any fall-offs, hot glue the head to the torso.

The arms are a rather simple process. To add arms to the robot, first you take two aluminum cans and cut the top off the can and pierce a hole in the bottom so a wire can fit through. Next on the side of the torso (right above the ribs) poke two holes on both sides and push a wire through the torso and make it come out the other end. When the wire is at equal lengths but both cans on both sides bottom first. Cut the so that a couple inches are showing coming out from the top of the can (or ends of the arms). Then to insure that the arms will stay to the torso, hot glue it. Finally to add robotic-like hands you ball up aluminum foil and stick it to the ends of the wire (this will also help the arms stay put). And there you have the arms.

The detail part is not required, but I believe it adds cool affect. I used spray paint, sharpie, and other things that really brought the robot together. Before you attach and bottles or cans to wire, spray paint them with metal and plastic spray paints. If you want to add eyes, take to tops of the plastic feet you made and use them as eyes. Invert them inward, cut holes in the milk carton and hot-glue them in. It will end up looking great. For the mouth, all I did is cut out a hole and trace the edges with sharpie. And now you have your Robot!!!

Yes! As it turns out,  in the US people throw away 3.2028E10 cubic centimeters of plastic each day into landfills. The reason we made this Robot is to promote both sculpting/art and environmental wellness. The robot consists of 3492.5 cubic centimeters of plastic. So If we can manage to get more people to construct art out of plastic or even use these types of materials more than once in everyday life, we could make a big difference in the US. It would take around 9170508.232 robots per day to keep plastic out of landfills, but I'm pretty sure not every person in the US will make a robot, but if we can get this trend rolling we can save lots of plastic and make a significant change in the environment.