Giant BS2 Controlled Arm

crgwbr

Hey Every One,

I recently aquiard a new project for a tradeshow display.· The company makes tool support arms, the arms hold your tool and so you only exert enogh force to move the tool, not hold the weight.· My project is to automate one on these arms so that it can tap holes (or run a tap though a previously tapped hole).· I think I can handle this, but I thought I'd let everyone know, incase you have any ideas.· I ordered some servos to·rotate the top and bottom portions (yes, I·checked the torque, and yes the servos will turn it).· I'll use a solanoid valve to raise and lower the parellel arms.

Thanks

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NerdMaster
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allanlane5

First requirement -- a kill switch, easy to operate, easy to find, with absolutely reliable code to listen to it.

When dealing with 'real' hardware (ie too big, heavy, or powerful for you to pick-up or stop with your own muscles) the consequences of out-of-control code can injure people (or break equipment). Thus the need for a way to kill the thing before serious injury results. This is critically important in early development, when out-of-control code is most likely.

Just be aware. An out of control BOE-Bot can be picked up and just spin its wheels until you can shut it off. Not so with this robot arm.

crgwbr

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. Cutting the power going to the BS@ and solanoids should work okay.

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NerdMaster
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Life

Kevin Wood

Since you have some type of cutting / drilling tool attached, you should probably stop that too, in an emergency.

If the arm doesn't already have a non-BS2 related emergency shut-off, you might want to mention it to the manufacturer.

crgwbr

Normally, it's a completely pasive device, it doesn't need an emergincy shutoff. The drill attached to it has a trigger valve (you take your hand off, and the drill stops). "Cutting the power going to the BS2 and solanoids should work okay," it's an air drill, it'll be soliniod activated on the automated version. Also, I don't know if you caugt this or not, but the automated versan is for a trade show display, were never going to sell one like this.

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NerdMaster
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Life

allanlane5

Good answer.

But of course, you THINK you're never going to sell one like this. As soon as people see how cool it can be, they may ask for it.

steve_b

A kill switch that drops power to the assembly may lead to the thing falling and causing damage/injury.
Is it hydraulic? You could adjust hydraulics and when someone hits the kill switch it drops power to the pumps. It shouldn't drop in this case.
If it's servo operated you might look in to the springs you see on the desk lamps (actually, yours looks remarkably similar to my desklap in front of me)!...the springs should offer some resistance to bring the instrument to a neutral position, not all the way down..

If it's a demo, be sure to include all the bells & whistles to impress people!

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·

Steve

"Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."

crgwbr

The arm is pnumatic, cutting power the the valves should prevent air from going into or out of the clyinder (it holds posisiton), also, there are constant force gas springsthat will hold the wieght of the arm even if the air presure is lost. As far as it being like your desk lamp, it's 70-80 lbs heivier and a lot more rigid. They've made custom one that will lift double my body wieght esaily. For more info on the arm itself you can go to www.titantoolco.com

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NerdMaster
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