3D Printed Robot Arm

This is a 3D printed robot arm. Credit to the design goes to Jeff Kerr, who goes by LoboCNC on Thingiverse. I show how to assemble the actuators since they are the most detailed part of the build. I will be running ESP32's in each joint so I can control each joint via Bluetooth/Wifi so I only need to run 2 wires to each joint for power. ChiliPeppr and Serial Port JSON Server will be used to control the arm once all the code is written.

Chilipeppr ESP32 for Lua Workspace where I'm writing the code for the ESP32's in each robot joint:

3 steppers for small actuators:

1 stepper for large base actuator:

1 stepper for large shoulder actuator:

1 stepper for medium elbow actuator:

[monostar]

Your audio quality is fantastic, it feels like you're talking to me in person with headphones on!

[zayanh]

You should do a final episode! It could help with maybe students who want to do robotics in the future (like me). Videos like that with the simplified robot would be much appreciated by not only me but a lot of people. Nonetheless, we thank you for keeping us updated and helping us with all the videos. Keep up the good work!

[jenshenriksandell]

Nice idea with the “mismatched” planetary gears. Now, you could add a potentiometer to register the absolute angle.
👍👍👍

[chc]

Your robot arm inspired me to use water tube as the casing for my own robot arm.

[jaredgray]

Nice work John! I've been working on a multi-axis arm with planetary gears also and since I have no idea how these joints are supposed to be designed I've gone through a lot of trial and error. Taking a look at your design is really helping me improve my design (or pretty much copy yours) so thank you for sharing this

[douglasthomson]

Very nice work. Looking forward to seeing how it works out. Super tricky project, so well done for tackling it.

*eyes glued to the screen!*


I love technical builds like this :D

[satokaiba]

@03:35 You can simply create a press fit cover for the inside which will in turn hold all the nuts in place. Falling nuts into a PG system is no fun and will not be an issue if the cover is placed.

[eclsnowman]

Fun project. Excited to see it running.

[Kaelfull]

Please show how it works, it would be nice.

[musaxofficial]

Sir this is the very nice project and I want to implement it too but I'm unable to find the STL of all actuators ... Could you please help me please 🥺

[KarmaKami]

This is amazingly inventive in the use of materials when considering the potential accuracy of the end product, have you tried making a new arm with the arm, that'd make for a good investment.

[makeradd]

Thanks for doing this. I am printing an actuator as we speak.

[GearDownForWhat]

Great work, can't wait to see it move!

[lukecunningham]

ive heard some bad things about mixed vaseline and plastics, it supposedly breaks the plastic down. I personally use white lithium grease. not sure if its true, but better safe than sorry. great video btw

[EngineeringNS]

This is actually genius! And controlling it via BT makes it modular too!

[PyjamasBeforeChrist]

Nice one. Had that exact gearing idea in my head a few years ago for a 'planned' robot idea that I never found time for. Nice to see it's out in the wild via the makerspace hive mind. Hoping to share another gearing design soon that will be better still for robotics (true zero backlash, high reduction, and very high load capabilities)

[MarinusMakesStuff]

Beautiful, I'm quite curious about the next video where you hook up the bluetooth and use it!! Great design, nice to also see the small fans inside the housing. Nice details of your work.

[jasonlatour]

Why not use servo motors and forget the gears?

[Bakamoichigei]

Absolutely awesome, can't wait to see more! (Especially the control interface!)