EEVblog #586 - Open Source Hardware uARM 4-Axis Desktop Robotic Arm Kickstarter

Dave looks at the open source hardware UFactory uARM 4-axis desktop robotic arm kit project available on kickstarter:
This is the first unit produced, and comes with the suction cup head and Arduino Uno board and shield controller.

EEVblog Main Web Site:
EEVblog Amazon Store:
Donations:
Projects:
Electronics Info Wiki:

[CJMilsey]

THIS = The idea that sparked my solution to a uni engineering problem. Thank you so much for this video! 

[loganmilliken]

Desktop robotic arms operating an in-house factory that makes more desktop robotic

[adisharr]

I'd like to see an arrangement using dual servos on each axis working slightly against each other so there is a constant pressure to keep things in position. That would probably help with the inherent shakiness these hobby grade units always have.

[jamesallenbaker]

EEVblog: Remarkable Channel & Videos

[ManWithBeard]

The jack on the Arduino needs more than 5V btw. The 5V voltage regulator drops out when supplied with less than 6V. When fed with USB it runs off that directly and doesn't need the voltage regulator so it's fine.

[sparkyprojects]

Actually, industrial robots use servo motors, a stepper would have 'positive' positions where it will 'latch' to, not good if the position you want is between the steps.
Think of it this way, why does a hard drive head use a voicecoil (analogue) instead of a stepper.
Industrial robots also have sensory feedback to calculate position based on a 'home' position.

[AnalogX]

Neat little thing.  I used to program 6 axis robots for the Automotive industry :)  I miss it sometimes.

[AlainHubert]

I guess it could probably be okay for moving chess pieces (with the clamps, not the succion cup) ?

[classicleon]

To have the suction, you have to keep pressing suction button to suck things up, and release the button to let things go, so the first black thing could be lift up. Now, unfortunately a negative impact has been provided by conducting improper use by EEVblog.

[accountr]

Try pressing R on your keyboard to release it the suction. There was something on the little mouse control software that said R to release.

[iSolarSunrise]

This robot arm is way too "toy-like" for Dave in my opinion. The real reason, I think, he bought this is because of Sagan :)! I hope Sagan likes his first robot!

[theR]

This design (4 link mechanism) was my graduation project in 1992.

[gotbread]

with the gripper and a camera attached this would be a fun way of putting electronic parts back in their box... or with a soldering iron...

[sivalley]

Maybe middle button click, or horizontal scroll holds off vacuum pump to allow release?

[hyperbyte]

Cool Arm 

Nice the bench is still clean :)

[donpalmera]

A camera on the head would be cool.. maybe you can't use it for a pick and place machine but you could do some experiments with machine vision like have it sort a deck of cards..

[adisharr]

I think it's worth pointing out that the 'servos' this thing uses are nothing the servo motors an industrial robot would use. The main base gearhead alone on a typical industrial robot can cost many thousands of dollars.

If you're expecting any level of precision for $ 180.00, you're going to be disappointed. This is just a fun tool for experimenting and looks slightly better than my Arm-a-tron I had as a kid.

[marsattacks]

I think it's a great educationnal kit ! I'm impressed !

[KowboyUSA]

High coolness factor. Needs some fine tuning and wireless inputs, though.

[McCuneWindandSolar]

I think the power and data port needs to be in the base and use slip rings for the data so you can have full range of motion so you dont get tangled up in the cords. but man its sure is cool.