Delta Robot Arm Videos. Ideas for a cool project.

Martin_H

I've already built a robot arm which I've only just begun to explore what it can do. However, if I was looking to build one I might consider one of these instead. Delta robot arms are mechanically simple, but their software kinematics are considerable more complicated than other robots arms. However, for that trade off you can make an arm that is blindingly fast. This is because these arms aren't moving their motors so the inertia of the moving parts is low. This is unlike my revolute arm which I need to slow the arm down to keep reaction torque under control. Here are some examples:

FlexPicker is a commercial version that is scary fast:

Here's a homemade one using motors and an RP5 as a controller:

With a Propeller or BS2, three servos, a relay, an electron magnet, and a whole lot of Lego Technic you could build one on the cheap. I'd put the budget under $100.

kwinn

The robot arms (particularly the home made one) are impressive and the software and vision systems that run the first one even more impressive.

Heater.

Oh I love that sausage sorter.

How about this Lego effort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VxCl6w3HS0

erco

FAR OUT! That's awesome Martin_H! And I thought I could move sausages fast!

Those delta arm robots are geometrically similar to those flying camera rigs on 3 overhead cables.

Martin_H

That Lego setup had quite a budget! I like Lego Technic, but Lego is not an easy company to do business with. You can't buy Technic parts a la carte, but have to purchase kits to build models. There are always parts you need, but can't find. So on E-bay there's a re-sale market where people buy Technic sets to resell popular parts at a markup. He also has multiple NXT bricks which are pretty pricey on their own.

But Lego servo motors are quite nice as they are continuous rotation with built in quadrature encoders.

erco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv5B63HeF1E

Real-time delta robot arm moves at blinding speed, stacking balls on a moving turntable.

Wow, wow, wow. I had to watch it several times to figure out what & how it's moving.

Duane Degn

Martin_H wrote: »

That Lego setup had quite a budget! I like Lego Technic, but Lego is not an easy company to do business with. You can't buy Technic parts a la carte, but have to purchase kits to build models. There are always parts you need, but can't find. So on E-bay there's a re-sale market where people buy Technic sets to resell popular parts at a markup. He also has multiple NXT bricks which are pretty pricey on their own.

But Lego servo motors are quite nice as they are continuous rotation with built in quadrature encoders.

Martin,

Have you seen Brick Link?

Here's their page for light grey 40 tooth gears.

I've purchased stuff from Brick Link when I need a bunch of a particular part.

Duane

erco

Check this linear delta robot, moves differently than others listed previously, using leadscrews. Personally, I think robot arms are the coolest, but I'm clearly in the minority. At least the dog at 0:50 watches with feigned interest!

Drawing starts at 1:22.

Martin_H

That is impressive. That bot has a full 3D envelope using only three steppers, and it uses EMC for its control software! That gives it gcode support so it could function as a CNC machine if it was rigid enough.

Duane Degn wrote: »

Martin, Have you seen Brick Link?

Here's their page for light grey 40 tooth gears.

Duane, I didn't see that reply. I've heard of brick link but haven't used them. I may if I ever get around to some of those Technic projects I have in my head.

erco

Another impressive stepper motor delta robot arm, this one's a 3D printer prototype. Fast & accurate, fun to watch and listen to the steppers singing their songs. Video is two years old!