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

[EEVblog]

Dave looks at the open source hardware UFactory uARM 4-axis desktop robotic arm kit project available on kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufactory/uarm-put-a-miniature-industrial-robot-arm-on-your
http://www.ufactory.cc/
This is the first unit produced, and comes with the suction cup head and Arduino Uno board and shield controller.

[NiHaoMike]

A good use might be mass importing CDs or other disks onto a PC. Or conversely, automating a low volume "production" of CDs and such, probably most useful for independent artists.

[Zad]

Sorry Dave, I think being a Kickstarter backer on this item has got in the way of your objective judgement. The only value I can see is in it being a construction kit, not as a built arm.

[pickle9000]

Could you not rig it up as a simple camera rig?

Daves quadcopter probably has outputs that could connect to the servos directly. Could be a fun experiment.

You could also connect it up to to this with practically no effort.

http://www.paintballsentrygun.com/

How about Daves Robot sidekick.

It looks like a really fun toy.

[hikariuk]

I find myself a little underwhelmed.  Also missing playing with real ones.

[GiskardReventlov]

Here's my proposal, you use this robotic arm to test out the cat ratings for the multimeters. The robotic arm will do the plug in for each cat rating stated for each meter.  It needs a good name too. I propose "Electrocutioner".

If the meter dies we'll probably know it by watching but in any case the Electrocutioner will need to be programmed to give a "Thumbs Up" or a "Thumbs Down".

I also propose that a nice cloth cover be made for the Electroctioner so you can unveil it each time. It will look like an executioner's hood but maybe with a electric bolt on it.

...Dave's reviewed all other aspects to be reviewed and then he says:
"And now it's time .... for ..... the .... (with his hand on the shroud) .... Electrocutioner .... (off comes the shroud and a crack of lightning dubbed in)

[electronics man]

just seems like a gimmick.

[robrenz]

I'm sure if you replace all the pivot joints with proper bearings with proper fitting axis rods through the bearings you could eliminate most of the backlash/slop you have there. Then all you'd need to sort is the servo slop.

That is only one of the many weak points of its design. There is a reason real robots are not made from acrylic.

[pickle9000]

Other uses

- Multimeter shootout, have it knock meters off the bench. Sagan can push the button.
- Mount a hammer on it and have smash something. A bad component from a troubleshooting vid.
- Mix up some pudding.
- Robot arm multimeter bowling.
 

[EEVblog]

Sorry Dave, I think being a Kickstarter backer on this item has got in the way of your objective judgement. The only value I can see is in it being a construction kit, not as a built arm.

I said it's a toy, that's all it is. If you want a toy OSHW robot arm to play with I think it's perfectly fine.

[EEVblog]

Here's my proposal, you use this robotic arm to test out the cat ratings for the multimeters. The robotic arm will do the plug in for each cat rating stated for each meter.

I doubt it would have the strength to plug in banana plugs.

[GiskardReventlov]

I doubt it would have the strength to plug in banana plugs.

Maybe a low-force switch? I looked on digi-key, wow, for a 1000V it's $$$.

[kizzap]

Dave: If you removed the suction head, and possibly screwed it down to a bench somehow, would it be able to support the weight of a small webcam? Let users on the internet control it and look around the lab.

[mdszy]

Dave: If you removed the suction head, and possibly screwed it down to a bench somehow, would it be able to support the weight of a small webcam? Let users on the internet control it and look around the lab.

Twitch Plays Dave's Lab?

[EEVblog]

Dave: If you removed the suction head, and possibly screwed it down to a bench somehow, would it be able to support the weight of a small webcam? Let users on the internet control it and look around the lab.

I have a webcam that pans/tilts already, so no point.

[pickle9000]

Dave, by chance have you ever owned an Armatron?

I had both.

[indigoid]

Dave,

Since you waffled endlessly about the serial commands being undocumented...

This would be a great opportunity to do a video on a practical application of UART functionality of the Bus Pirate - namely sniffing all the serial chatter. Connect the UART pins on the Bus Pirate to pins 0 and 1 on the Arduino in the robot.

I used mine similarly to troubleshoot a AVR-based MIDI controller I was building recently. Bloody excellent little tool, the Bus Pirate. It's not particularly brilliant at any one thing, but it has so many applications where it is often "good enough" that for $30 it's a no-brainer.

[EEVblog]

Since you waffled endlessly about the serial commands being undocumented...
This would be a great opportunity to do a video on a practical application of UART functionality of the Bus Pirate

No point, they'll probably release it in few days when the campaign ends.

[BMac]

Dave, Had to laugh I've used hundreds of the Fanuc 410iB, Check this out.

http://pdf.directindustry.com/pdf/fanuc-europe-corporation/m-410ib/32007-381949.html

BMac

[Smokey]

That does kind of look like it. 

http://www.fanucrobotics.com/cmsmedia/datasheets/M-410iB%20Series_15.pdf

[BMac]

Yeah thats the old 410 with the big balancer on the side the new ones dont have that.
BMac

[ndim]

The obvious idea:

• remove suction head
• add uCurrent test jig
• put uCurrent panel to test under it

The banana plugs might just be self centering enough for the uArm tolerances to not matter.

[NiHaoMike]

The obvious idea:

• remove suction head
• add uCurrent test jig
• put uCurrent panel to test under it

The banana plugs might just be self centering enough for the uArm tolerances to not matter.

That won't be much (if at all) quicker than just manually testing. What might work is if it could pick up boards to be tested so you can just give it a stack and it would automatically test and sort them.

[denelec]

How much will this robotic arm cost?  Didn't see the price.

This robotic arm seems a bit better.
http://www.robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion-al5d-robot-arm-combo-kit-4dof.html

[GiskardReventlov]

Connect the UART pins on the Bus Pirate to pins 0 and 1 on the Arduino in the robot.

I think this could be done on the oscilloscope. If so it would be more interesting.