Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: dmehling on May 28, 2007, 10:07:01 AM

Title: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: dmehling on May 28, 2007, 10:07:01 AM
I am designing a robotic arm which will be attached to a fixed base.
I would like to have the ability for the arm to elevate between 12 to
18 inches.  The actuator for this would be mounted on the base, so it
would need enough power to lift the entire arm vertically.  The arm
will be very light weight, weighing less than a pound.  What is the best
type of actuator for this type of application?
Title: Re: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: ed1380 on May 28, 2007, 11:26:01 AM
I don't know the best, but you could either have a screw and it turn and teh arm would move vertically, or you could have a vertical conveyor belt and the arm attacked to it.  the first one would have more torque and the second one would be faster

but most importantly of all
<====NOOB
Title: Re: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: dmehling on May 28, 2007, 05:11:23 PM
Where would I find the screw mechanism you mentioned.  I need something very inexpensive and simple to operate.
Title: Re: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: hazzer123 on May 28, 2007, 05:29:14 PM
You would attach a screw thread to a motor (using ACME thread - its suited towards driving a mechanism rather than holding a picture on a wall for eg).
The screw thread would have a nut on it, which is fixed to the base of the arm. as the screw thread turns, the base rises and falls.

You could use either a stepper motor, or a Geared DC motor with encoder.

If accuracy is important, then a ball-screw would be needed because these dont have backlash - this is when there is a bit of play in the nut.
Title: Re: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: Ro-Bot-X on May 29, 2007, 02:01:09 AM
The weight of the arm will eliminate the backlash efect.
Title: Re: vertical movement for robotic arm
Post by: Admin on May 30, 2007, 07:02:42 AM
do a forum search on "robot arm" (with quotes) - a lot of people have asked the same question . . .