Robotic Arm with Arduino - Save/Play/Export/Import Positions.

Summary

This video provides a step-by-step guide on building a 3D-printed robotic arm powered by an Arduino and servo motors. The arm can be controlled through an interface, allowing users to save, replay, and export programmed positions. The creator walks through the design, assembly, and coding process, offering downloadable files for customization. The project uses multiple servos for different joints and a claw, all integrated with Arduino. The video also explains how to control the arm using a custom application, showcasing features like speed control and movement replay. It's a hands-on, innovative project for robotics enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The video shows how to make a 3D printed robotic arm controlled by Arduino and servo motors.
• 💻 The arm can be controlled through an interface that allows saving, replaying, exporting, and importing movements.
• 🖱️ The 3D model of the arm was designed and simulated before being brought to reality, and the video includes links for downloading the necessary files.
• 🔧 The assembly starts with soldering a DC jack socket and connecting it to the Arduino, which is then secured to the base.
• 🔩 Multiple servo motors (mg995 and mg90s) are used to control various parts of the robotic arm, including the base, forearm, and claw.
• 🛠️ Servos must be set to a neutral position (90°) before assembly to ensure smooth operation.
• 🔌 The robotic arm is powered by a 5V 3-amp adapter connected to the Arduino through the DC jack.
• 🎮 The graphical interface for controlling the arm was developed using Processing, and users can manually control the arm or save and replay movements.
• 📁 The interface includes options to export and import saved positions, allowing movements to be reused.
• ⚙️ The entire project, including code for the Arduino and interface, is available in the video description for customization and modification.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video shows how to create a 3D-printed robotic arm using Arduino and Servo Motors, with features like saving, replaying, exporting, and importing programmed positions.

What software and hardware are used to control the robotic arm?

The robotic arm is controlled using an Arduino Uno and Servo Motors, along with a graphical interface created with Processing software.

What can be done through the interface mentioned in the video?

The interface allows manual control of the robotic arm's movements through sliders, saving and replaying movements, controlling speed, and exporting/importing saved positions.

How is the robotic arm powered?

The robotic arm is powered by a 5V, 3-amp adapter with a DC jack connector.

What file formats are available for downloading the 3D-printed parts?

The 3D-printed parts are available in Step format for modification and STL format for direct printing.

What should be done before assembling the Servo motors?

All Servo motors must be set to their neutral position (90°) before assembly.

What is the role of the Arduino in this project?

The Arduino is responsible for controlling the Servo Motors by sending commands that specify which Servo to move and to what angle, through serial communication.

How are the servos connected to the Arduino?

The servos are connected to the Arduino's power and digital pins, following a provided wiring diagram.

What additional steps are needed to assemble the robotic arm's claw mechanism?

The claw mechanism is assembled using plastic adapters, M3 screws, self-locking nuts, and is connected to an mg90s Servo. The cables are threaded through the arm conduit.

What customization options are available for the robotic arm?

The video offers the ability to modify the design files in Step format, as well as modify the control code through Processing. Viewers are encouraged to contribute suggestions or modifications to the project.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Introduction to Building a Robotic Arm

The video introduces the step-by-step process of building a 3D-printed robotic arm controlled by an Arduino and servo motors. It highlights features like saving and replaying arm positions through a user interface, as well as exporting and importing programmed movements. The video starts with designing the arm in a 3D model and provides links for downloading the design files. The assembly begins with soldering wires to a DC jack, connecting it to the Arduino, and securing the base. The Arduino code for controlling the servo motors is also uploaded and shared in the description.

05:01

🔧 Detailed Arm Assembly Process

This section continues with the robotic arm assembly, including attaching servos, securing components with screws, and ensuring proper cable management. Servos are attached to the base and various parts of the arm, including the forearm and wrist. The narrator emphasizes the importance of setting the servos to their neutral 90° position before assembly. The wiring for all components is carefully organized and threaded through the structure, and extensions are added for easier connection to the Arduino. The robotic arm is powered using a 5V 3A adapter, with the arm moving to its default position once powered.

Keywords

💡3D Printed Robotic Arm

A mechanical device created through 3D printing, which can be controlled using an Arduino and servo motors. The video focuses on how to assemble and control this robotic arm, highlighting its customizability and programmability. The arm can perform complex movements thanks to the integration of servo motors and Arduino control.

💡Arduino

An open-source electronics platform used for building digital devices. In the video, Arduino Uno is central to controlling the robotic arm, managing the servo motors, and facilitating communication between the interface and hardware. It is connected to the laptop and powered by a 5V adapter, making it essential for the arm's operation.

💡Servo Motors

These are rotary actuators that allow for precise control of angular position. In the video, servo motors such as the MG995 and MG90S are used to control the different joints of the robotic arm, enabling movements in the base, forearm, and claw. They are connected to the Arduino and crucial for the arm's movement.

💡STL Files

STL (stereolithography) files are used for 3D printing and contain information on the geometry of the pieces. The video provides a link to download STL files, allowing viewers to print the necessary parts for the robotic arm. This file format makes the project accessible to anyone with a 3D printer.

💡Assembly

The process of putting together the 3D printed parts, Arduino, and servo motors to create the robotic arm. The video demonstrates step-by-step instructions for assembling the robotic arm, including wiring, screwing, and securing components such as the base, forearm, and claw.

💡DC Jack Socket

A component that facilitates the connection of the power supply to the robotic arm. In the video, the creator solders wires to the DC jack socket, which is then connected to the Arduino for powering the system. It plays a key role in ensuring the robotic arm receives a steady power supply.

💡Neutral Position

Refers to the initial position of the servo motors, set to 90 degrees. Before assembling the servos into the robotic arm, the video instructs viewers to set all servos to this neutral position to ensure smooth and synchronized movements. This is a key preparatory step in the arm's assembly.

💡Graphical Interface

A user-friendly interface created using Processing, which allows the control of the robotic arm. In the video, this interface enables users to manually control the servo motors, save and replay movements, and adjust the speed of the arm’s actions. It’s an essential tool for interacting with the robotic arm.

💡Serial Communication

A method of communication between the Arduino and the connected device (e.g., laptop), allowing data to be sent one bit at a time. The video explains how the Arduino receives commands through serial communication to control the angles of the servos, making it possible to operate the robotic arm.

💡Export and Import

Functions within the graphical interface that allow users to save the programmed positions of the robotic arm and later reload them. This feature is highlighted as a key part of the control system, enabling users to automate repetitive movements by exporting a sequence and importing it for future use.

Highlights

Introduction to making a 3D printed robotic arm controlled with Arduino and Servo Motors.

The robotic arm can be controlled through an interface allowing users to save, replay, export, and import programmed positions.

The project begins with designing the 3D model for the robotic arm, with simulations of its movements before assembly.

All 3D model pieces can be downloaded in both STEP and STL formats for easy printing and customization.

Assembly starts by soldering wires to a DC jack socket and attaching it to the base, followed by connecting it to an Arduino Uno.

Uploaded pre-written code to the Arduino, enabling control of multiple Servo Motors via serial communication.

The assembly of the arm involves connecting various servos like MG995 and MG90S to different sections like the base, forearm, and claw.

Servos are positioned carefully, with adapters and screws ensuring a tight fit for proper movement.

Special attention is given to organizing servo cables, threading them through conduits for a clean assembly.

Servos must be set to their neutral position (90°) before final assembly to ensure accurate movement.

The Arduino board is connected to power the servos, with options to power them externally if needed.

The graphical interface, developed using Processing, allows for manual control, saving positions, and continuous movement replay.

Additional interface features include speed control, port selection, and importing/exporting saved movement positions.

Once assembled and connected to power, the robotic arm moves to its default position and is ready for operation.

The project includes a downloadable application for Windows and Linux, offering complete control over the robotic arm.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello in this video I'm going to show

you step by step how you can make this

awesome 3D printed robotic arm that

works with an Arduino and Servo

Motors something very special about this

arm is that we can control it through an

interface that offers us several options

we can save positions and replay them

continuously additionally we can export

the programmed positions and later

import them I hope you enjoy it so let's

get

started I started by designing the 3D

model for this arm here you can see a

simulation of how the robotic arm moves

before bringing it to reality in the

video description I'll include a link

where you can download the pieces in

Step format if you want to make

modifications to the design in the

description there's also a link to

download the STL files so you can print

the pieces

directly let's begin with the Assembly

of the arm first I took a DC jack socket

with a screw and soldered some wires

with connectors onto it I'm going to

insert this into the base as in the

video and then secure it with its nut

for this project we'll be using an

Arduino Uno I connected it to my laptop

and uploaded the code I had previously

written which you can also find in the

description this code allows you to

control several Servo Motors connected

to an Arduino board through serial

communication sending commands that

specifically say which Servo to move and

to what angle we're going to attach the

Arduino to the base cover using some

small screws we place it under the base

like this then I connected the wires

from the Jack socket to the 5vt and gnd

pins of the Arduino and secured the base

with two 12 mm M3 screws I'm going to

connect some wires to an mg995 Servo and

then connect it to the Arduino like this

next I'll place the servo on the base

and secure it with 12 mm M3 screws and

washers

[Music]

I'll attach a Servo to the bass's axis

as shown in the

video I screw in this adapter that I

previously cut to fit this way but we

can also use the circular

adapter I'm going to screw these plastic

adapters onto the ends of this piece

which is the

forearm I insert it into the base and

secure it with a

screw next we're going to use the mg90s

servos but the parts are also compatible

with sg90

servos I'm going to place a Servo into

this white piece which is the arm and

thread the cable through the internal

hole of the

piece to this other piece I'm going to

screw in this black adapter that I

previously cut to have it this

way the adapters and screws come

together with the servos in the same

package we thread the cable of a new

Servo through the arm and then screw the

servo to the

wrist we're going to place an mg90s

Servo at the base of the

claw to one of the gears we are going to

screw an adapter to then insert it into

the

servo I'm going to insert an M3

self-locking nut into the lower part of

the base and then we'll screw in the

other gear making sure it's not too

tight after that we'll attach the gear

to the server o in the same way we'll

Place nuts on the pieces to later screw

them together for the entire claw

mechanism I'm using 16 mm M3

screws you can follow the video to

assemble it

correctly now I'm going to attach the

cover using two 12 mm

screws as you can see the claw mechanism

works

properly we're going to place an adapter

on the base of the claw and secure it

with its respective

screws I'm going to thread the claw

cable through the arm conduit this way

we'll insert the claw into the wrist and

screw it in place it's important to note

that before assembly all servos must be

set to their neutral position which is

90° I'm going to organize all the cables

coming out of the arm insert an mg995

Servo and secure it with a 12 mm M3

screws and

washers next we'll thread all the cables

through the forearm conduit using pliers

to pull them out through the lower part

as shown in the

video we'll connect the forearm to the

arm secure them and organize the cables

that will run down to the

base these are some cables I prepared

beforehand to make connecting the servos

to the Arduino easier you can see the

pins for power the pins for the digital

ports and on the other end the pins

where we'll connect each Servo motor for

this project I'm following this diagram

you can also power the servo Motors

externally if you encounter any

complications with this

circuit we'll continue connecting all

the servos to the cables which also

serve as

extensions I'm going to thread the

cables through the hole in the base

axis we'll organize the cables in the

compartment place the cover and secure

it with a 12 mm counter sunk M3

screw we'll connect the servo cables to

the power and digital pins of the

Arduino ensuring the connections match

the

diagram we insert the axis into the base

and screw it in this way the robotic arm

is almost ready I'm going to insert the

five legs into the base for stability to

power the entire arm I'm going to use

this 5V 3 amp adapter and as you can see

it has a DC jack

connector we connect the adapter to the

robotic arm and to the power

outlet immediately we can see the arm

move to its default

position in the description of this

video you'll find the link to download

the application in my case I downloaded

the windows version but it's also

available for Linux then I extracted the

file to my desktop opened the folder and

finally launched the the

application I'm going to connect the

Arduino to my laptop this way we can

start using our robotic

arm the interface to control the arm was

created using processing in the

description I'll also include the code

in case you want to make modifications

or see how it

works this graphical interface lets you

manually control the robotic arm using

the sliders in the center

[Music]

in the upper corner you can select the

port where the Arduino is connected you

can also access other functions like

saving movements replaying them and

stopping them additionally there's a

small slider that allows us to control

the speed when replaying movements

continuously on the right there are more

buttons that let us export saved

positions and later import them by

simply selecting the saved

file finally there's a reset button that

erases all saved positions allowing us

to start fresh and now it's time to

unleash the full potential of our new

robotic arm

[Music]

I hope you found this video useful or

interesting don't forget to like And

subscribe if you enjoy the content I

share on this channel it really helps me

reach more people let me know in the

comments what you think of this robotic

arm and if you have any suggestions

questions or contributions to the

project until next time let's keep

pushing the boundaries of what we create

see you in the next video goodbye

[Applause]

[Music]