$300 mini industrial 6 axis Open Source robot

[Reckless]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mirobot/mirobot-6-axis-mini-industrial-robot-arm/description


I have been dying for cheap industrial robots/cobots.  I am still not sure how to replace menial labor for packaging/soldering.  I think we are still a few years away from AI robots that can truly add ROI for small businesses.

[Reckless]

I found another alternative with better specs and Made in USA!


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/775197166/dorna-fast-powerful-and-precise-robotic-arm/description

[ebclr]

5 times more expensive, but apparently can handle more mass

https://dorna.ai/shop/

[Reckless]

Yeah my issue with it is that it looks harder to program and use.  I do like that its under $2k with end effectors.  I do want a finished product.  My worries are the mirobot is too slow and will be less industrial and more educational (toy).  My weight requirements are ~2-3 ounces.

[fki82]

I doubt that any of these two robots would survive very long in an industrial environment.
They just look way too flimsy. I would guess they are meant more as educational devices.
Always nice to see some open source efforts.
I expect a lot of progress in the next few years.

[Reckless]

At $280 I can buy a new one every 6 months.  Doesn't look like too many parts but wish it was aircraft aluminum and not 3d printed plastic.

[Reckless]

SQOD:  How does the Dorna compare to a Universal Robots UR3? 

It's 1/25th the price and if it lasts half as long its still a win. 

Dorna: https://dorna.ai/robot/
UR3: https://www.universal-robots.com/products/ur3-robot/

They both have similar reach, payload, footprint and weight.  I'm sure the Universal is better somehow other than being fully enclosed.  Not sure what type of motors these things use.  The idea of it being controlled by python instead of propriety software is appealing to me. 

[fki82]

I saw the universal robots on on Productionica in Munich. That is a proper industrial robot.

The Dorna looks more like it is made for learning. From the picture I would guess it is made of NEMA17 steppers, GT2 belts and pullies. Not sure how much payload this can move with decent accuracy.

[Reckless]

2.5 lbs accurately.  About half of universal. 

My needs don't require weights over a pound and would like to use 8 hours a day (40 hours per week).  I generally love highly industrial devices but not in the mood to spend 25k+ if the $1k solution works (even for 2-3 years).  Shopping used universal robots, I'm finding a number of them that need repair or broken in few years of use which I find suprising. 

I know sawyer used stepper motors and they would lose accuracy over time.  Some people claim thats what put them out of business.

[mikeselectricstuff]

This is another interesting one-Innfoss Gluon. They have their oen brushless motor/gearbox
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1383636492/the-smallest-servomotor-robotic-arm

[Reckless]

Really cool idea.  They will be launching it in 6-9 months (everything always gets delayed).  I think that brushless motor/gearbox is the future but I will wait until its launched and kinks have been worked out.  Somehow the joints look very clunky, I wonder how it will affect longevity.  Also speed looked a bit slow.  China is really doing a great push in the robot race. 

[Brutte]

Industrial robots use electric drives because of the powers involved (kW range). With a stationary device in tens of watts range the pneumatics is the king. But then it requires different construction (although kinematics might stay the same), also can reach much higher speeds.
Shrinking an industrial robot is  .

[ubbut]

How would you use these robots in a production environment? Which tasks would they be suitable for?

[Reckless]

Riveting, programming, placing units into packaging, possibly labeling. 

[Reckless]

Industrial robots use electric drives because of the powers involved (kW range). With a stationary device in tens of watts range the pneumatics is the king. But then it requires different construction (although kinematics might stay the same), also can reach much higher speeds.
Shrinking an industrial robot is  .

I like speed.  Why is shrinking a bad idea?  I would think small is better.  I am thinking small applications. 

[Brutte]

Why is shrinking a bad idea?

Mainly becuse the design and production cost of such scaled robot is going to be close to the cost of the real thing (the count of components is similar). The only place where you can save is the material cost (which is a small fraction of overall cost). That is why dinghy is not a scaled down ocean liner. You could build one but the labour involved would have made it not competitive against a product tailored for technologies better suited for "small designs".