Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: K-Squatch on February 28, 2009, 12:04:40 PM

Title: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on February 28, 2009, 12:04:40 PM
I have no previous experience working with robotics, but my teacher sent me and a few classmates a challenge. We're to build a robotic arm that's able to move freely around a room, the arm as well must reach at least 2 feet high and 3 feet long. I was wondering if anyone knew of an adequate tutorial, or were willing to teach me some of the basics as I'm not even sure where to start. I have done a fair amount of research to this date, but I don't quite think it's cutting it. On a side note the robot must be made from scratch, so building from a kit is sadly not an option. As for money, the school is budgeting a decent amount of money so it can't be anything to overly expensive, but it doesn't have to be cheap. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm very interested in this field and a help with the first step would be wonderful.
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: cooldog on February 28, 2009, 12:40:36 PM
you could use the $50 robot boared to control it
http://www.societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot.shtml

you could use a basic 2 wheel and caster chasi to drive it around or a four wheel desigh using 4 servos and 2 y-harnesses
http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_chassisconstruction.shtml

for the arm you will need strong servo's for motors to contol it.
-if your using motors:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/schematics_h-bridgedes.shtml

how many joints do you want?
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_arm_calculator.shtml
http://www.societyofrobots.com/RMF_calculator.shtml

some ideas
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_ERP.shtml
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_arm_card_dealer.shtml
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_arm_tutorial.shtml
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_asme.shtml


notes:
the $50 robot boared can handle 5 servos/motors so you can use 2 for driving but you are limited to 3 for the arm...  you could do a turning base for it, a shoulder and a hand, before you would want to upgrade the microcontroller to more servo/motor ports maybe the axon or the roboduino
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: Razor Concepts on February 28, 2009, 12:42:55 PM
The $50 board can handle as many servos/motors as many output pins it has.
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on February 28, 2009, 12:44:43 PM
Thank you very much, I'll talk to my group about it. As for amount of joints I was probably looking for 2 not including the "hand" per se
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: Soeren on February 28, 2009, 12:55:09 PM
Hi,

[...] or were willing to teach me some of the basics as I'm not even sure where to start.
Your avatar suggests that you're in Denmark (as is I), but where in DK?
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on February 28, 2009, 01:09:06 PM
I actually live in Canada, I'm just from Denmark myself. I have to have some pride don't I? =]
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: Admin on March 01, 2009, 08:34:15 AM
Quote
the arm as well must reach at least 2 feet high and 3 feet long
How much weight does it need to lift at this extension? Sounds like you will need a motor with a worm gear box.

and yet even more links for reading material . . .

http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_FEA.shtml (for stress analysis)
http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_statics.shtml
http://www.societyofrobots.com/mechanics_gears.shtml (to calculate your gearing ratios)
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on March 01, 2009, 10:38:22 AM
We're probably only going to be lifting something simple like one tennis ball at a time. This project is seeming harder then I thought it would be. Is there any specific order I should do any of this in?
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: cooldog on March 01, 2009, 12:05:41 PM
always start with the design use a program like google sketch-up
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on March 02, 2009, 11:33:51 AM
I've started the design. Is it possible to get differential drive with only using one channel?
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: SmAsH on March 02, 2009, 01:29:28 PM
no probibly not, as you would need to control both motors separately.
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: cooldog on March 02, 2009, 03:25:31 PM
you an have two servos on one joystick but u need two channels
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on March 02, 2009, 03:59:53 PM
And a normal robotic arm has four channels correct? Like for a rather simple one.
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: cooldog on March 02, 2009, 06:42:59 PM
ya
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on March 03, 2009, 01:14:07 AM
Does anyone possibly have the schematics for one, or are willing to help me create some? Because I'm rather confused on it.
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: cooldog on March 03, 2009, 04:50:45 PM
what part confuses you ???
Title: Re: Help Building A Mobile Robotic Arm
Post by: K-Squatch on March 04, 2009, 12:06:33 AM
I'm just daunted by the entire task. lol. But thank you for the help, we'll see what we can make up.