Claw Machine : Bachelors thesis in mechatronics

Abstract: A simple idea can have many different construction solutions and a claw machine is a good machine to try different solutions on. The goal of this thesis was to find out how a claw machine could be created as simple as possible and finding out which parts that were essential in constructing the machine. The claw machine’s shell was built using a laser cutter and details were 3D-printed. With 4 metal rods and two stepper motors the claw machine gantry worked properly. Finally a 3D-printed claw was made and attached to a servo motor and a stepper motor, a functional claw machine had been constructed. The conclusions of this thesis was that stop-sensors were not necessary in the making of the machine as the motors can’t move the claw further than to the edges and risk damaging the machine, step counting with proper belts is an alternative. Further conclusions was that 3D-printed bearings creates too much friction and therefore the gantry can’t operate, and using a fixed timing belt instead of a movable one is to prefer.