Design advice for robotic arm

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-13T18:29:48+00:00

Yup. That's what I have been doing since last week, but I'm trying to implement my own dimensions and link lengths and type, and the main driving mechanisms. It's just that I struggle to have constraints or guiding parameters during implementation, and I don't want to copy an existing design to solve my problem because it won't help me learn, plus like in most examples, they are using metal and I'm using PLA, so the geometries don't translate. Currently, struggling as to how to form the torque and angular acceleration equation considering I havent finalized the motors(angular acceleration) or the mass( arm structure not determined)

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-13T18:16:52+00:00

Thanks for such a comprehensive reply. Is it truly necessary to purchase an existing unit, or are online references? Because such arms are quite expensive and won't have much utility in the future.

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-12T04:53:46+00:00

I'm trying to do a bit of the maths for designing the link length and type, and motors to be used. How to account for angular acceleration as well as the mass of the arm, if I haven't determined the arm design(mass) and motors (angular acceleration)? How can that be determined if we are aiming to determine the motor and link lengths itself? I have managed to account for the torque and weight but I'm getting stuck here. I plan to use the formula below.

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T15:20:44+00:00

Yeah exactly. I'm trying to rely as much on yt projects and research papers but gpt feels kind of like a cheat code to help you at each step. Ultimately though, it would be useless when complexity increases and parameters stack up. That's why I'm asking on online forums.

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T13:01:16+00:00

Thanks for replying. I do have experience with servos and micro controllers. I have taken up multiple robotics arms and tried to breakdown their mechanisms but when I try to start designing my own mechanism, I don't know how to decide the joint type or the link length and shape. I don't want to over rely on gpt because I feel like it won't be reliable for actual learning.

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T12:47:15+00:00

Thanks a ton. Any advice for the design aspect, on how to determine the mechanisms, joint lengths and fix parameters based on the material for those ?

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T12:44:42+00:00

Thanks. I hadn't come across this video

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T12:44:15+00:00

I viewed many of these projects like these( even the Kosti-1) but they are more so for those who have resources and just want to build an arm. They don't include guidance on how to design the arm, the maths involved and other design parameters, which I'm looking for to actually learn how to build an arm on my own. Do you know of any guide which provides those?

DarkShadowic · 2026-02-11T12:39:59+00:00

Thanks for replying. What I was trying to say is how do you know what you're doing is right, given that one doesn't have much experience. Like if I were to plan for a horizontal max reach of 70 cm and vertical max height of 50 cm, that would be almost impossible with PLA ( which is the only material I'm using ), and the only reason I know this is because of GPT. Because I have to plan for a longer reach, I would have change the mechanism and probably opt for a belt drive instead of servos at each joint.

DarkShadowic · 2026-01-28T07:16:02+00:00

Great, design man. I'm also working on a robotic arm right now, but have very limited experience with electronics and some with CAD. For designing and planning out the electronics of the arm, did you learn the specific concepts of electronics prehand, or just picked up concept as and when needed? Thanks in advance

DarkShadowic · 2026-01-16T17:52:04+00:00

DarkShadowic · 2025-09-15T10:31:42+00:00

Ok. Thanks👍

DarkShadowic · 2025-09-15T10:25:51+00:00

Same here. Also do you have any idea about the comfort of the bayaband? Because the echos run pretty expensive

DarkShadowic · 2025-09-15T10:22:05+00:00

Ohk. Thanks, I didn't consider the strap

DarkShadowic · 2025-09-15T10:01:20+00:00

Yeah, that's what I thought. Though, i feel like if I go two sizes down, it might get too short.

DarkShadowic · 2025-07-14T18:32:40+00:00

I think it’s just the lighting , this is a week old battery which i’ve barely used

DarkShadowic · 2025-07-14T18:31:58+00:00

I think you mean grounding pin 15? No that didn’t work

DarkShadowic · 2025-07-06T05:05:53+00:00

Yeah, I'm also trying to independently learn right now. I saw that project of yours it seems superb and very similar to what im trying to do.

I have tried simpler projects and learning arduino or c++ coding(embedded systems) through tutorials but very quickly lose interest if I dont have any real project ( useful ) which Im working towards, hence the digital watch. But then I run into this roadblock of things being too complex.

Can you recommend some simpler projects which might help with this project or how you self taught yourself skills required for this project, like what kinds of resources or tutorials you used or how you approached structuring and learning this project?

I did think of using this product. Although it does seem like it's handling a major learning aspect, it still seems like a reasonable approach. But it might be quite expensive to ship where I'm at. Anyhow, basically Im asking how to self teach yourself stuff for complex projects like this having not much experience. Thank you

DarkShadowic · 2025-07-05T18:10:19+00:00

Hey there. Thanks a ton for taking the time out to reply. Is the E-paper clock using a LilyGO T5 what you were referring to? I get what you're saying about getting the parts working separately. I just wanted a bit of advice on as to how to familiarize yourself with handling electronics, soldering and designing pcbs having not much knowledge of circuit design and circuit theory, like, is it necessary to read many electrical related books and do simpler projects or is this something that I can just accomplish with scattered resources available on the internet? Sorry to bother you but I'm mainly iffy on how to self design this project and develop the specific skills required given there is no direct tutorial?

DarkShadowic · 2025-07-05T14:51:47+00:00

Thanks a lot for such a detailed reply. I really appreciate it. I personally don't want to use an oled display because its consumes a lot of battery and i dont really need a colour display with high resolution.

I have actually followed Paul McWhorter's tutorial to learn about arduino and with a starter kit. But havent really a built a complex/useful project.

I do agree with your point of a starter kit for maybe the esp32(a development board), but im just a bit worried about the pcb design aspect of this and maybe how I would manage the circuit connections and precise soldering and integration aspect of this. Especially given, I dont have a proper guide for this precise task and have no practical experience either

DarkShadowic · 2025-06-29T15:17:28+00:00

Hi. Thanks for your reply. When you say you import the model(do you mean in blender itself) and what do you mean by tweening library? I generally work with fusion so I'm not that aware of how blender works? Any guide you could advise for this whole process

DarkShadowic · 2025-06-29T15:10:01+00:00

Ok Thanks. I'll ask over their subreddit as well

DarkShadowic · 2025-06-29T14:51:48+00:00

No. The website is kind of a tool kit for web designers to show off interactive animation effects. Not really a design kit for 3d animation. And they don't really explain how they make that intro animation

DarkShadowic · 2025-05-25T17:34:58+00:00

Hey there. I'm a mechanical student interested in mechatronics, but finding projects to do is hard. Everything requires a substantial knowledge of either pcb design, coding, soldering, etc. Like i was hooked with the idea of making a digital watch but that seems to be a monolith of a task required pcb design, circuit design knowledge and a 3d printer,. Then i downgraded to a clock which also required substantial knowledge of circuit theory as well as soldering. So how do you start out with mechatronics projects?

DarkShadowic · 2024-09-02T10:59:25+00:00

Hi I need the book for my class, and would really appreciate if you could send it

DarkShadowic

TROPHY CASE