IPTUPED (I pick things up, put em' down): Robotic Arm

Let's Make Robots Robots
1

Simple Robotic arm still working on claw/gripper/hand.

Any suggestions on a control method would be aprrectiated. I was thinking remote control however would cost me about $50. Or...using and old PS2 controller however i dont know how to do that. ):

Check out video updates will be coming soon. Thanks

**Update**

Gripper added. Made out of legos. More info to come. Servos seem a little weak. (HS-311)

Would ading a second servo on the opposite side of the base work? Theoretically wouldnt it double the torque? Would it work?

I dont have time right now be back with more soon.

 

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Last Update for this project.

I am currently working on IPTUPED version 2.Just waiting on more parts, then it will be posted.

Pick things up...and put them down(eventually)

  • Actuators / output devices: 4 servos
  • CPU: Picaxe 28x1
  • Power source: 4 AA
  • Programming language: Basic
  • Target environment: indoor
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/robots/show/iptuped-i-pick-things-up-put-em-down-robotic-arm
2

Best cheap remote would be

Best cheap remote would be to hack a wii nunchuck. Easy to do for arduino, fun and impressive. Search google or LMR there is lots of code and examples/

3

Ok

Ok thanks i will look into that.

4

What material is that made

What material is that made of? Good kiss robot.

5

HDPE

It is called HDPE or High Density Polyethylene. It is a type of plastic. Works pretty well although i am debating maybe using wood for the base because it would be heavier and sturdier as well as maybe a light wood for the arms. This stuff is kinda light but ill see how it goes.

6

ok thanks

ok thanks

7

No problem

No Problem mlandergan. Btw…its pretty cheap and you can find it online in different sizes, thicknessess, etc.

8

Where did you get the name?

The planet fitness comercails?

9

Hahaha

Yes…i hope thats not copywriting or anything. lol

10

Simple control method - hack a gamepad

Hi,

If you will be happy with wired controll you can use regular gamepad.

gamepad.jpg

Inside are four potentiometers controlled by two joysticks (blue knobs).

It requires to change the cable but you can connect them directly to ADC inputs of Picaxe.

Your arm has 4 servos, so it will fit your needs.

11

Thanks

Is there any sort of guide i could use to set this up. Seems like it would work but im not really sure how to ake it work. Thanks by the way.

12

Inside are two joysticks

Inside are two joysticks like this one

http://www.onlinetps.com/shop/images/Items_Images/analog_joystick_switch.JPG

 

Each joystick has two potentiometers.

Cut the printedboard connections using sharp knife and solder cables to potentiometers contacts.

Theoretically you will need 4x3 wires to connect gamepad to Picaxe, but GND anv 5V can be shared. So you will need 6 wires in total.

13

So…

So basically this is what i would have to do.

1. Remove Joysticks from my old PS2 controller.

2. Solder a wire to each connection.

3. plug into…which wires go where??

 

14

You can leave joysticks

You can leave joysticks inside to keep it ergonomical.

I do not have pictures of my gamepad, but I found this one on web.

http://www.arcadeforum.com/forum/images/local/360.jpg

Each joystick has two potentiometers (blue pieces at two sides). Each potentiometer has 3 contacts.

Cut the printboard connections to joysticks (the copper lines on other side of board) by scratching them using sharp tool. Cut them close to the  solder points.

For connection to picaxe use servo extending cables. Cut the end with pins away. Solder signal wire of it (yellow or white) to center pin of potentiometer. Plus (red) and minus (black or brown) wires of cable solder to other two pins of potentiometer. Doesnt matter which where.

Do this for all four potentiometers. Cut away existing USB cable of gamepad. New four cables can be connected to ADC pins of Picaxe and can be read by readadc command.

15

Thankyou

Thankyou, this really clears things up for me. I will let you know how it works.

16

Problem

I am having a difficult time scratching away the copper. Could i just solder the wires on or do i NEED to remove the copper.

Also, would it just be easier to remove the whole joystick and then put it on a seperate board and just soler that in place?

17

If you have problems with

If you have problems with existing copper connections it will be better to remove joysticks completelly out from joypad.

Put it on separate board and connect the pins as I described formerly.

18

I got it working…thanks so

I got it working…thanks so much. Right now i can only use one potentiometer. When i do the readadc it seems to work for each individual pot but when i try both at the same time it doesnt work. I will see whats up.  Thanks

19

Only one working…
I can only get one to work at a time. when I connect a second, it freaks out.

20

Try all combinations of

Try all combinations of servos and potentiometers to see what is causing the problem.

Try also two potentiometers at a time, but from different joysticks.

 

Also be aware that “debug” command in the program prevents servos from correct function.

Write the code, then remove debug command an only then load it into picaxe.