Robot arms was a difficult technology in the past several centuries. Nowadays with modern actuators, it's a piece of cake. A robotic a...
Robot arms was a difficult technology in the past several centuries. Nowadays with modern actuators, it's a piece of cake. A robotic arm needs the right equipment, no doubt. Still, everything depends on the type of an arm, its axes. Let us have a look at all the possible robotic arms you can make with the help of linear actuators.
1. A SCARA Arm
This type of arm involves the lifting strength in its bearings. For instance, shoulders, elbows, and wrists joints are in a flat plane. So the motors only need to be strong enough the lateral forces require. It doesn’t have to support the weight of the remaining axes.
The single linear axis you will work with will be the Zone. All the other will be pretty great with circular movements. Then you may choose either the stepper or a servo motor. It is also necessary to point out that the sizes of motors can vary drastically as the weight it carries doesn’t matter much. You are to fight the inertia of a load rather than the gravity.
2. Articulated Arm
In this type of arm, many of the axes have to support the weight of all axes further down the kinematic chain. As you understand, here you will obviously need to carry out calculations. The axes, as well as their actuators, must be able to lift the load and, of course, move it. The electric motor is still the best option and the most comfortable to control.
3. Gantry Robot
This is the brightest example of the use of linear actuators in robotics. As here you are to use linear actuators for the main axes, X, Y & Z axes. These could be low performance, low accuracy, high force actuators such as a lead screw with a servo or a stepper drive. Keep in mind that accuracy will always be limited by the backlash. You will need a high performance, high accuracy direct drive, linear motors with precision encoders.
You want to support your actuator with an electric motor. This way you will achieve the precision in rotational motion for pitch, yaw, and roll. It is interesting that even a small motor with a reasonably high gearing can resist gravity against quite high loads.
Don’t forget that you can always use the springs and counter-weights. This way the movements will be much smoother and the arm will be more extended. The pick of effectiveness can be reached when you will put a linkage or, again, a counter-weight on the arm or even the forearm.
Now let us remind you the types of actuators suitable for robotic hands.
4. A Leadscrew Type
The main pros are the force, a slow-to-medium speed. What is more, we must say that electric linear actuators tend to substitute the hydraulic linear actuators, as these are much stronger and faster. The best explanation the weight of some simulators that can reach a 2-tons sign.
5. Chain or Belt Drive
You either buy a completely new, manufactured one or do it yourself. Of course, even from the first sight, both have a space for much improvement. However, it is still a cool way to demonstrate how strong and fast it can be even here. Depending on the force you will have to use a thrust ball bearing.
In medicine, for example, the life of a person can depend on the use of technology, therefore the equipment itself must possess the highest performance characteristics, and be a reliable help to users - patients or medical personnel. The working capacity of the mechanical part of the medical equipment is a necessary condition for its normal functioning. This is why linear actuators are so useful for medical robots as well.
1. A SCARA Arm
This type of arm involves the lifting strength in its bearings. For instance, shoulders, elbows, and wrists joints are in a flat plane. So the motors only need to be strong enough the lateral forces require. It doesn’t have to support the weight of the remaining axes.
The single linear axis you will work with will be the Zone. All the other will be pretty great with circular movements. Then you may choose either the stepper or a servo motor. It is also necessary to point out that the sizes of motors can vary drastically as the weight it carries doesn’t matter much. You are to fight the inertia of a load rather than the gravity.
2. Articulated Arm
In this type of arm, many of the axes have to support the weight of all axes further down the kinematic chain. As you understand, here you will obviously need to carry out calculations. The axes, as well as their actuators, must be able to lift the load and, of course, move it. The electric motor is still the best option and the most comfortable to control.
3. Gantry Robot
This is the brightest example of the use of linear actuators in robotics. As here you are to use linear actuators for the main axes, X, Y & Z axes. These could be low performance, low accuracy, high force actuators such as a lead screw with a servo or a stepper drive. Keep in mind that accuracy will always be limited by the backlash. You will need a high performance, high accuracy direct drive, linear motors with precision encoders.
You want to support your actuator with an electric motor. This way you will achieve the precision in rotational motion for pitch, yaw, and roll. It is interesting that even a small motor with a reasonably high gearing can resist gravity against quite high loads.
Don’t forget that you can always use the springs and counter-weights. This way the movements will be much smoother and the arm will be more extended. The pick of effectiveness can be reached when you will put a linkage or, again, a counter-weight on the arm or even the forearm.
Now let us remind you the types of actuators suitable for robotic hands.
4. A Leadscrew Type
The main pros are the force, a slow-to-medium speed. What is more, we must say that electric linear actuators tend to substitute the hydraulic linear actuators, as these are much stronger and faster. The best explanation the weight of some simulators that can reach a 2-tons sign.
5. Chain or Belt Drive
You either buy a completely new, manufactured one or do it yourself. Of course, even from the first sight, both have a space for much improvement. However, it is still a cool way to demonstrate how strong and fast it can be even here. Depending on the force you will have to use a thrust ball bearing.
In medicine, for example, the life of a person can depend on the use of technology, therefore the equipment itself must possess the highest performance characteristics, and be a reliable help to users - patients or medical personnel. The working capacity of the mechanical part of the medical equipment is a necessary condition for its normal functioning. This is why linear actuators are so useful for medical robots as well.
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