mcripps@sodium.ATT.COM (Mike Cripps) (01/15/91)
I'm looking for info on relatively cheap robot arm devices that can be easily interfaced to a computer (I'm willing to do some hacking to interface it). It doesn't have to be particularly fast or accurate or anything. The arm needs to be able rotate about 90 deg. at the base, have a reach of about 18", and should be able to raise or lower the end of the arm about 6" from horizontal. It doesn't particularly need elbow joints, or any kind of actuator on the end of the arm. If anyone has any info, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm: Mike Cripps sodium!mcripps 201-576-2428
hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath) (01/16/91)
In article <2967@sodium.ATT.COM> mcripps@sodium.ATT.COM (Mike Cripps) writes: }I'm looking for info on relatively cheap robot arm devices that can be }easily interfaced to a computer (I'm willing to do some hacking to interface }it). It doesn't have to be particularly fast or accurate or anything. How cheap and how much hacking? You could build what you describe from an Erector Set and drive it with stepper motors from an electronic surplus supply. You're on your own for the interface. If you want something off the shelf, with a plug 'n' play interface, the price goes up. Small, "academic" arms run in the $3K - $5K range. I don't know of any that come with an 18" reach, but you could attach something to the end of the arm to give it one. Microbot's Teachmover is an example (about $3500, last I checked). Once you get into the industrial arm class "cheap" means "under $30K." Probably out of your range. (-: -- The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@ttidca.tti.com) Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp(+)TTI Illegitimis non 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. (213) 450-9111, x2483 Carborundum Santa Monica, CA 90405 {csun | philabs | psivax}!ttidca!hollombe