How to Build a Remote Control Robotic Arm
![DIY Remote Control Robot Arm](/uploads/2/7/1/1/27118291/7921330.jpg)
There are many different types of fun DIY electronic projects and some of the most popular among avid DIY-ers include making remotely controlled objects. For those with more than just a basic knowledge of how electronic parts work building a remote control robot arm can be a fun and rewarding experience. This project is for those who have extensive experience with electronics projects and know much of the basics of how circuits and electrical components work together. The DIY-er will also need to be familiar with handling electric tools safely and efficiently.
Parts and Tools Needed to Build a Remote Control Robotic Arm
There are quite a few parts that are needed to build a remote control robotic arm. Here are the main components that you will need for this project:
· 1- FS-CT6B 6 channel radio receiver (2.4 GHz)
· 1-FS-CT6B 6 channel radio transmitter (2.4 GHz)
· 1- 7.2 Volt NiMH RC Battery
· 2- HITEc HS-422 Servo motors
· 1- SparkFun “medium” Servo
· 1-SparkFun Robotic Claw
· 1- Tazer 15T forward-reverse ESC
· 1- old but working electric drill
· 2- Lynxmotion Pan-tilt bracket kits
· 3- PVC pipe bushings
· 3- PVC pipe ends
· 5- eye hooks
· 4-tension springs
· 4- wire nuts
· ½” electrical PVC pipe (inner diameter)
· Different pieces of plywood or other wood
· Different nuts and bolts
· Electrical tape
· Zip ties
· Various screws
· Electrical wire
· Washers
This DIY electrical project will also require the use of these tools:
· Drill press
· Hand-held drill
· PVC pipe cutter
· Screwdrivers
· Soldering iron and solder
· Table saw
· Miter box
Getting started on the Project
A mini project to get you started on this project is modifying the old drill. The motor out of the old drill and the chuck will be what rotates the whole robotic arm. This type of motor is useful as it will give it a certain degree of freedom. But in order to use the motor from the drill some modifications will need to be done. Open the drill and take out the battery and all the other wires – just leave the chuck, gears, motor and the positive and negative leads to the motor. Poke these leads out of the crack that is on the top of the drill and then reassemble the sides of the drill. The battery base can be cut off just to get rid of some of the extra bulk. Now you will want to cut two pieces of wire and use wire nuts to make extensions for the positive and negative leads from the drill’s motor.
Once the drill has been prepared, you will need to build a “box” and base to mount the drill to. Once the drill is mounted and secure you will need to build a small structure out of wood to mount the arm to. This structure will be rotated by the drill when the project is finished. The shoulder motor will be mounted directly to the arm and this will give the arm a second degree freedom since it basically has two rotating motors offering it movement abilities. The upper portion of the robotic arm is constructed from a piece of PVC pipe. It is attached to the bushing on the shoulder like joint. The holes of the PVC pipe will be opened toward the wooden mount. To give the robotic arm its second degree of freedom an elbow motor will be added. You will use the Servo to attach another piece of PVC pipe in a sense giving it an “elbow.”
Constructing the Claw
The claw is run by the medium servo which will be directly mounted to the claw. Be sure to not over tighten the motor when attaching it to the claw. Once it is hooked up, you will want to wrap the connection with electrical tape to make sure it stays connected properly. Now you are ready to attach the claw to the second portion of PVC pipe.
Finishing the Drill Motor
The drill motor is basically a small DC motor which will switch directions when the polarity is reversed. In order to control this remotely you will need to use an ESC (electronic speed control). This will have to be modified before it can be connected and ready to use. You will need to cut the wire to the on/off switch and solder on two wire extensions. Then cut the three-wire Hitec connector and solder on three wire extensions. Also, you will need to cut off and strip the ends of the motor wires so that you can use wire caps to connect the ESC to the drill motor.
From here you will need to attach the ESC and battery to the robotic arm. And then you can connect the receiver and the antenna. It can be attached directly on the PVC pipe. You can use something as simple as a zip tie to hold it in place.
Parts and Tools Needed to Build a Remote Control Robotic Arm
There are quite a few parts that are needed to build a remote control robotic arm. Here are the main components that you will need for this project:
· 1- FS-CT6B 6 channel radio receiver (2.4 GHz)
· 1-FS-CT6B 6 channel radio transmitter (2.4 GHz)
· 1- 7.2 Volt NiMH RC Battery
· 2- HITEc HS-422 Servo motors
· 1- SparkFun “medium” Servo
· 1-SparkFun Robotic Claw
· 1- Tazer 15T forward-reverse ESC
· 1- old but working electric drill
· 2- Lynxmotion Pan-tilt bracket kits
· 3- PVC pipe bushings
· 3- PVC pipe ends
· 5- eye hooks
· 4-tension springs
· 4- wire nuts
· ½” electrical PVC pipe (inner diameter)
· Different pieces of plywood or other wood
· Different nuts and bolts
· Electrical tape
· Zip ties
· Various screws
· Electrical wire
· Washers
This DIY electrical project will also require the use of these tools:
· Drill press
· Hand-held drill
· PVC pipe cutter
· Screwdrivers
· Soldering iron and solder
· Table saw
· Miter box
Getting started on the Project
A mini project to get you started on this project is modifying the old drill. The motor out of the old drill and the chuck will be what rotates the whole robotic arm. This type of motor is useful as it will give it a certain degree of freedom. But in order to use the motor from the drill some modifications will need to be done. Open the drill and take out the battery and all the other wires – just leave the chuck, gears, motor and the positive and negative leads to the motor. Poke these leads out of the crack that is on the top of the drill and then reassemble the sides of the drill. The battery base can be cut off just to get rid of some of the extra bulk. Now you will want to cut two pieces of wire and use wire nuts to make extensions for the positive and negative leads from the drill’s motor.
Once the drill has been prepared, you will need to build a “box” and base to mount the drill to. Once the drill is mounted and secure you will need to build a small structure out of wood to mount the arm to. This structure will be rotated by the drill when the project is finished. The shoulder motor will be mounted directly to the arm and this will give the arm a second degree freedom since it basically has two rotating motors offering it movement abilities. The upper portion of the robotic arm is constructed from a piece of PVC pipe. It is attached to the bushing on the shoulder like joint. The holes of the PVC pipe will be opened toward the wooden mount. To give the robotic arm its second degree of freedom an elbow motor will be added. You will use the Servo to attach another piece of PVC pipe in a sense giving it an “elbow.”
Constructing the Claw
The claw is run by the medium servo which will be directly mounted to the claw. Be sure to not over tighten the motor when attaching it to the claw. Once it is hooked up, you will want to wrap the connection with electrical tape to make sure it stays connected properly. Now you are ready to attach the claw to the second portion of PVC pipe.
Finishing the Drill Motor
The drill motor is basically a small DC motor which will switch directions when the polarity is reversed. In order to control this remotely you will need to use an ESC (electronic speed control). This will have to be modified before it can be connected and ready to use. You will need to cut the wire to the on/off switch and solder on two wire extensions. Then cut the three-wire Hitec connector and solder on three wire extensions. Also, you will need to cut off and strip the ends of the motor wires so that you can use wire caps to connect the ESC to the drill motor.
From here you will need to attach the ESC and battery to the robotic arm. And then you can connect the receiver and the antenna. It can be attached directly on the PVC pipe. You can use something as simple as a zip tie to hold it in place.