Also will Lynxmotion Vacuum Gripper Kit work with both arms?
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Hey @logicunit
Welcome to the RobotShop community.
Well, the main difference is that the Lynxmotion AL5D uses RC servomotors and the LSS 4DoF Arm uses smart servomotors. These motors have many more features, such as being able to read their position, control their maximum speed, motion, measure their current (and indirectly their applied torque) and many other features.
This allows a LSS-based arm to do fancier things such as make a joint go limp when the arm hits something (such as turning the base into an obstacle), move against object to a known force (measure in mA consumed) and read the current position of the arm as your move it around with your hand (while it is limp) to record positions/sequences of motions that you can then refine after playing them back again.
Overall, it has many more possibilities than the AL5D due to the smart servomotors in the joints as opposed to the regular RC servomotors in an AL5D which can only move to a specified position, following an RC signal sent to them continuously. A LSS can be told to perform specific motions using the protocol and then it will keep doing it without requiring a constant signal. This allows one microcontroller board (such as an Arduino) to control efficiently dozens of motors through only 2 signal pins (UART TTL RX & TX pins)!
Yeah, it could probably be made to fit/function. You’d need something to control the RC servomotor that is used by default though, such as the LSS-2IO board.
A good way to power RC servos on that board from a LSS bus (such as the one in the LSS 4DoF Arm) would be this board.
Maybe @dialfonzo or @cbenson want to weigh in on using the vacuum gripper kit with the LSS arm?
I hope this info helps!
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Thanks, @scharette so the Vacuum Gripper Kit is designed for AL5D? Also what is the difference between FlowBotics Studio and BotBoarduino version?
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Yes it is. But, with the LSS 2IO board and because of the bracket compatibility in the SES (Servo Erector Set), it may be possible to use it still with the newer arm.
The FlowBotics Studio is typically the version of the AL5D that you want. It comes with an SSC-32U that can be connected to a PC (by USB) to control it using the free software FLowArm PLTW or any other software that can access a VCP (Virtual COM Port) on Windows (or the equivalent on other OS, such as OSX and Linux).
The BotBoarduino version does not have an SSC-32U. Instead it uses an Arduino Duemilanove compatible board with some extra components (headers and other options to make it easier to use with RC servomotors). This cannot be used with the FlowArm PLTW software.
I highly recommend getting a SSC-32U driver version if you go for an AL5D since the SSC-32U can be connected to a BorBoarduino (or any other microcontroller board) at a later time if you need but it makes it (much) easier to use the arm with a computer
Sincerely,
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@logicunit Welcome to the Community. scharette covered it very well, and it might make sense to create a blog post about this.
Whats the difference between Lynxmotion AL5D and LSS?
The servos and corresponding electronics. The new arm uses smart servos which are configurable and significantly more versatile. They were made for robotics, whereas RC servos were made for RC cars and planes. Smart servos did not exist when Jim Frye first created Lynxmotion, but he had the excellent idea of using RC servos in robotics.
Will Lynxmotion Vacuum Gripper Kit work with both arms?
This is in the pipeline, and although it has not been physically tested, we don’t foresee any issues at all. As scharette indicated, it uses an RC servo still, and as such would need the LSS-2IO to adapt the serial signal to control this RC servo. Mechanically it’s compatible, though you’d need to remove the gripper servo.
What is the difference between FlowBotics Studio and BotBoarduino version?
FlowBotics is a graphical programming software development platform which allows far more than just the control of the arm via a custom interface. The BotBoarduino, used with the AL5D, is intended to be used with the Arduino programming language.
If you tell us a bit more about your needs, perhaps we can offer additional insights.
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Thanks guys, so in general would you recommend waiting for LLS? (looks like there is a 40 day wait)
Few more questions:)
Which one is faster and more precise?
Also how long can each of them work without stopping?
I don’t really have an application yet, just want to learn more. One thinking I’m thinking to start with is to have it pick up a small object with a suction cup and then show it to the camera so that the camera can identify it.
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Thanks guys, so in general would you recommend waiting for LSS?
The wait is actually shorter than that. The arm is backordered because of the power supply, which should arrive fairly soon. The LSS 4DoF is effectively the replacement for the AL5 series.
Which one is faster and more precise?
LSS (RB-Lyn-1034 or 1040)
Also how long can each of them work without stopping?
Neither are meant for continuous use because of the motors within the servos. The general rule of thumb is the more the servos operate (against load), the hotter they get. So less load, and less time means the arm can be operated for longer. There’s no specific duty cycle, but it’s best kept to around 25%, so out of an hour, the servo should operate for 15 minutes.
One thinking I’m thinking to start with is to have it pick up a small object with a suction cup and then show it to the camera so that the camera can identify it.
Certainly.
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What about this one?
Looks like it can work for 24 hours without stopping.
Are the servos in this one based on different technology?
Also is this a good quality robot?
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The design of the arm is different (3DoF), so if you don’t need to additional degree of freedom, it is certainly an option.
It uses stepper motors for motion, which are meant to be able to run hot. Stepper motors are quite heavy, which explains why they are not used much in hobby grade articulated robot arms (too much added weight at the elbow and wrist and not enough torque available).
The range of motion is different than that of an articulated arm, though the 3DoF design does allow for increased accuracy. In terms of quality, the Dobot came out first, and the design of the Rotrix is surprisingly similar, though newer, so fewer reviews online:
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