I’m looking at the selection of arms at Robotshop.com, and as I see the prices vary from one unit to the next, I don’t see that the description varies very much.
Is there a more comprehensive guide to the differences? What’s an AL5A VS AL5D and so forth?
When the description says “Powerful PC software” is that referring to FlowBotics or FlowStone? Or is FlowBotics or FlowStone offered in addition to whatever the Power PC software must be?
I noticed the units that mention FlowBotics usually don’t mention FlowStone. Is one simply more advanced than the other? Or do they have diverging areas of specialty?
How can I find out about things like positional repeatability and which units (if any) can perform and repeat arc-shape motion profiles. Or, are these units limited to moving one axis at a time?
I’m developing manufacturing test equipment. I’d like to use a robotic arm as a means to testing low frequency RF and power transmission/reception between a base station and remote unit. The robot would move the remote through a variety of positioning scenarios around the base station while performance is being tracked.
Very well made, powerful and practical arm. As you can see, it only includes the frame and servos. In addition to this, you would need to purchase a normal servo controller (R/C signals), a power sully (12V and at least 20A or more continuous), as well as a gripper or other end-effector. The servos operate essentially the same way as normal hobby servos.
Yes but be sure to wire the power separately - these are large servos and consume a lot of current - if you try to have a normal servo controller board provide 20A or more, you might see it melting. Instead of connecting the servos directly, you would only connect the signal wire and GND to the board. You would connect the power and GND (split) to the battery. The SSC-32 is the servo controller used on the AL5 series.
Yes, and also power. You may also need some servo extension cables. Note that there is no gripper - you will either need to purchase one or make your own.
RB-Ins-21 is in the professional category largely because of price. The technology used in the AL5 series vs this arm is very similar - the main difference being size, lifting power and durability. True “industrial” grade arms use brushless DC gear motors with encoders (a.k.a. “servos” but not referring to a standard R/C type servo). These usually range in the $15k and up and are quite precise and capable of lifting more weight.
The main differences include reach and lifting capacity.
Once you have chosen AL5A, B or D, you can choose your electronics and software.
It depends on the version. If the descriptions says “with FlowBotics Studio”, it includes FlowBotics Studio. If it says “no software”, then there are a few PC based programs available for free here: lynxmotion.com/c-15-software.aspx
FlowBotics actually includes the complete version of FlowStone, except you cannot make stand-alone .exe files. More can be found here: flowbotics.com/
They can move in several axes at the same time and perform complex motion. Note that these are hobby-grade arms and do not have the accuracy or lifting capacity of industrial ($5,000+) robotic arms. Based on your application, you might choose the AL5D (longest reach) and control via FlowBotics Studio (SSC-32 servo controller) for easy programming: robotshop.com/productinfo.aspx?pc=RB-Lyn-673&lang=en-US
The SSC-32 needs to be connected to a microcontroller or computer at all times and is a dedicated servo controller (not programmable). The BotBoarduino can control fewer servos but can also work on its own once you have uploaded code. For walking robots, we often use both - the BotBoarduino for the higher level and the SSC-32 for dedicated servo control.
Correct.
You can really only use one software at a time. The most powerful to date is FlowBotics Studio, but it’s less “programmable”. Note that certain software only works with certain boards; the BorBoarduino only works with Arduino while the rest need the SSC-32.
Probably. You can purchase the arm without electronics and use a Phidgets servo controller which has Labview examples already.
BTW, I noticed in some of the AL5 videos, there’s a growling/grinding sound as the arm runs. Is that servo motor oscillations rattling the gear trains or some such? I noticed some have the clatter and some don’t. I imagine there’s a gain adjustment I can use to tune that out?
The servos will buzz because the motors don’t “lock into place”; they constantly need power and are always working to maintain their positions. There’s no gain adjustment - it’s simply a property of R/C servos.
Sold! I particularly like the u-tube demo of the AL5 arm pulling and placing the SD card from one socket into the other. People often overlook the complexity of the coordination of 3+ axes in order to achieve a planar motion with the effector. This robot will likely do the trick. If it doesn’t, it will be a firm proof of concept that should convince upper echelons to release the funds for the robot that will do the trick.
OK, so I think I want to go for a AL5A (AL5ACF-KT), plus the light-weight wrist rotate upgrade (almost qualifies as a tongue twister)(WRU-LW). This project doesn’t need a lot of lifting muscle or arm length. Just a few questions to finish up…
What are the advantages of BotBoarduino VS SSC-32 board (I assume I would use one or the other per arm, right? Or does one extend the functionality of the other?)
The AL5ACF-KT description says (with FlowStone Development Software) I imagine that means it does not come with Flowbotics or RIOS or others, right. What are advantages/disadvantages of one software over the other? Can they be used in concert with each other? Am I better off picking/sticking with one?
I’ve got some Lab-VIEW experience. Might be a nice project for a compact Rio system or some such. What I’m saving on the robot, I could more that quintuple on the NI hardware! Anyway, just curious if there are any AL5 / Lab-VIEW projects out there.
BTW, I noticed in some of the AL5 videos, there’s a growling/grinding sound as the arm runs. Is that servo motor oscillations rattling the gear trains or some such? I noticed some have the clatter and some don’t. I imagine there’s a gain adjustment I can use to tune that out?
I noticed there are a few arms in the professional robot section. Those appear to be just the mechanicals and servos. I would need to fix up a control system and software to have a complete system in parlance with the AL5x kits that are offered. Is that correct? Can I just uses similar controls and software as used on the AL5x kits. I imagine they’re available separately.
I’m interested in the carbon fiber closed loop system RB-Ins-21 From the description, that looks like it’s the mechanics and servos, and control system hardware and software would be something additional I’d have to buy. Just trying to figure out what the total cost would be for the better than hobby route, VS the hobby route.
