Robotic Arm Motor Selection

In this video, I explore the different types of motors that could be used in the robotic arm project, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Below are some great videos that I've watched in the past on some topics covered in this video

Learn how a DC motor works:

Learn how a servo motor works:

Learn how a stepper motor works:

Learn to use A4988 driver:

[TechBuild]

For driving stepper motors, I would highly recommend TMC drivers like TMC2209. These drivers can run the motors silently, have sensor-less homing feature and can run much higher current through them.

[lilqcug]

Im actually making a robot arm for a school project! THX for your video!

[salahqamachi]

Great video, cleared thing up, thank you!

[ubqdeod]

It sounds like you’ve done a thorough comparison of different actuators for your robotic arm project. Here’s a brief summary of what you covered:

1. **DC Motors**:
- **Pros**: Simple, low cost.
- **Cons**: Difficult to control speed and acceleration accurately. Not precise enough for high-precision applications.

2. **Servo Motors**:
- **Pros**: Includes a position feedback mechanism, decent torque.
- **Cons**: Limited rotation range (typically 180 degrees), precision can be lacking, and not ideal for applications requiring more than 180 degrees of rotation.

3. **Stepper Motors**:
- **Pros**: High precision with defined steps, better control over position and acceleration.
- **Cons**: Lower torque compared to servo motors, requires additional components like drivers and possibly sensors for homing.

For your robotic arm, you decided on **stepper motors**, specifically the NEMA 17, due to their precision and control capabilities, despite the need for additional components and lower torque. The plan to use a gearbox to increase torque is a good approach to address the torque limitation.

You also mentioned future improvements, such as implementing smooth acceleration and deceleration to make the arm's movements less abrupt and more fluid. That’s a great next step to enhance the overall performance of the robotic arm.

[danial_amini]

wow amazing video you gave me so much insight about servo and strepper motors

[BlakeRobert]

I saw you only have 3 videos. Really interesting I wish you would keep making them!!!!

[ayanvaidya]

That big DC motor with extra wires
Those wires are for encoder it's very accurate if you know how to use them

[KSATica]

keep up the amazing work dude very informative

[gios.]

Thoughts on using brushless DC motors? It seems like the benefits would be greater but cost would increase so Def not used for many diy robots.

[williamhuang]

Hanzhen harmonic drive gear, over 30 years experience, robot gear, joint gear reducer

[SoCalFreelance]

The servo motor can be hacked to provide 360 rotation. If you take it apart you will notice little notches which mechanically limit rotation. Use a Dremel to grind down the limiters and bam! 360 rotation. 👌 You will learn these things over time.

[ericksuzart]

Have you considered BLDC motors? HDD uses this type of motor to spin the disk with high precision.

[nuke_bird]

Not sure about 180, most likely potentiometers can rotate 270 degrees

[samkaxe]

could you please provide more info about the nema 17 motor, is there a link i can read more about it, thank you