Hi! 
I want to build a small robot that uses the lynx motion gripper. I only need the machine to grip. I don’t need the arm to rotate or move, just pinch. The arm needs to grip and release in timed intervals. Ie. every 5 seconds the gripper closes and releases then 5 seconds later it repeats. What is the simplest way to achieve this? If I wanted to use arduino do I need botduino to program just the gripper? Also I would like the gripper to be tethered so it doesn’t run out of power. Thanks for reading and I hope this question isn’t too noobish.
You just need a single servo controller or a microcontroller.
robotshop.com/en/servo-controllers.html
robotshop.com/en/microcontrollers.html
If you don’t want to do any programming, you can manually record and play back a sequence:
robotshop.com/en/servocity-4 … yback.html
A microcontroller like an Arduino has the advantage of being able to store and play back a sequence (which you code) without the need to be connected to a computer.
Even if you’re new to programming, it would not be hard to program a sequence where it open the servo for 5 seconds, then closes it … and repeat.
As for power, you really only need to power the Arduino itself, and power the servo using the 5V pin. A BotBoarduino or ROMEO microcontroller would work well:
lynxmotion.com/p-840-botboarduino.aspx
robotshop.com/en/dfrobot-rom … a-328.html
BotBoarduino:
lynxmotion.com/p-840-botboarduino.aspx
lynxmotion.com/p-498-wiring- … ector.aspx
lynxmotion.com/p-830-regulat … 20amp.aspx
lynxmotion.com/p-160-little- … servo.aspx
ROMEO:
robotshop.com/en/dfrobot-rom … a-328.html
robotshop.com/en/usb-cable-a-b-arduino.html
robotshop.com/en/sfe-power-s … 650ma.html
robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … p-kit.html