Pablo sends word that he’s used some of our open source code to build a 2-axis drawing machine. Read on for details and a video.
(more…)
I’m working overtime right now and loving every minute. Today the 3d printers are running, the laser cutter is running, and two Makelangelos are drawing sample pictures for the Vancouver Mini Maker Fair this weekend. There’s going to be a workshop to make line-following robots (so nervous, so excited!), first view of a new kit, the 3-axis arm, and the prototype of the 5-axis robot arm will be there. This is also the first year I’ll have help at the booth, because we’re growing like crazy here. I’ve just received the new Marginally Clever shirts and they are suh-weet. So sweet I might just put them up for sale.
Next week I’ll finally be able to take a breather and then I can start prepping a slew of new products (parts, not kits). I calculate I’ll run out of stepper motors in about two weeks and then I’ll have a 2-3 week period where I can’t ship the related kits, so I’ll be investing the time on all the stuff I don’t normally do – like upgrading the website to be mobile friendly.
In about two weeks some of my code will be going to the White House. Yes, that White House. The GcodeCNCDemo was used in another open source project that has been invited to show their work to POTUS. Nice! I’m now 1 degree away from the oval office in two different ways.
All this success wouldn’t be possible without you, dear reader. Thank you for your continued support and feedback!
There’s enormous interest in using robots to teach STEM subjects, all the way from K12 up through university. I’m not a qualified teacher and I can’t handle all the email so I’ve created a section in the forums just for you beautiful, hard working people. Let’s work together to help each other!
Here’s the latest on the 5DOF arm.
Tomorrow I’m preparing the last Makelangelo kits that will ship before the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. I spent the better part of the day connecting the forearm to the bicep based on yesterday’s design. My design software crashed and corrupted a few files. Boo! I also experimented with limit switch positioning. I think the two opposite sides of the wrist are best – I can catch three different kinds of dangerous movement with only two switches. Plus the wires all run the same length, which makes them easy to measure and bundle together. The next time I rebuild the arm I’ll have specially placed holes for flawless switching.
Am I starting to experience diminishing returns? The tiniest change can have a trickle down that affects 4 or 5 laser cut parts. I’m resisting the urge to scratch at parts of the design that “itch” but still work. I tell myself they’ll get better soon enough. Keep your eye on the prize.
I can see how the shoulder and the base should look in my mind’s eye. Just like the switches it will take a few iterations to work out the details. I’m a little excited by the idea that I might not have enough power to lift the arm. What if I have to print a whole gearbox? Can I do it? How long would it take? It seems like a judicious combination of bearings and gears, both of which I’m learning about quite a lot these days. Heh – I thought these were good minecraft blocks, but it turns out maybe I can put them together to make an even better block.
Supernumerary Robotic Limbs (SRLs) give you that extra hand when you need it. There’s also a version with arms at the waist. Find out more in the
IEEE times article.
