Robotics in Motion: Manipulator Systems with the Arm/Body

Welcome Back! Last week we’d started our journey into robotics with a few simple elements. This week we go next step. Before we said that one of the main components needed to move a robot was a manipulator of which there are essentially two types: arm/body & wrist.

Manipulators are essentially created by linking together solid component parts and/or joints to allow motion between consecutive links. Manipulators are subdivided into two primary component systems: Arm/Body & Wrist. The Arm/Body is composed of links (solid pieces) and joints (points of motion) and used insofar as objects can be moved into an environment, and the wrist has multiple joints to convey a wide range of motion for a particular task, aka the detail work.

For the Arm/Body & Wrist, there are specific types that help us understand and classify the movement they create based on how the joint(s) is(are) arranged. For the Arm/Body, you can have the following:

• Rectangular – Three points of linear motion; in other words the robot can only move in a straight line (forward/back, left/right, up/down). This creates a rectangular working space.
• Cylindrical – Move linearly in two directions and can rotate in another direction (on a “revolute” joint). Moves in straight lines and rotates. This creates a deep range of movement (top/bottom) in a round path (in other words, a cylinder)
• Spherical – Can rotate in two different directions and move along a straight line (back and forth). Moves in straight lines but rotates along two different axes. This creates a very long reach and can have a great degree of motion opportunity having great 3-dimensional applications.
• Articulated (Jointed Arm Spherical) – Closest to the human arm. Rotating across three axes, rotating at base, and horizontal movement allowed for by movement at shoulder, and vertical movement at the elbow.

As for the wrist, there are two configuration types. But that’ll wait till next time. And for those who think this boring… just check out what comes next!

And for those who think not… we offer one of the great advancements under development from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US Department of Defense), and its terminator-like arm. Check this out!

Anywho, that’s all for now. Have a great day everyone and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for some great high-tech, low-life gear!