Evaluation, Design & Development of a Prototype 3-Link Mini Robot Manipulator

Abstract: A 3-link robotic arm was designed, constructed, and tested as part of the thesis work. This prototype will assist students in applying their robotics and control system theory knowledge to real results. The kinematic equations are created to help with trajectory planning. Evaluation of different parameters was determined like (angles at which the servo motor operated, link length at which the servo can carry, spatial velocity, DH parameter, and Homogeneous transformation matrix). An Arduino-based closed-loop control system is built. Four Servo motors were used which are being controlled by Arduino UNO and Leonardo. The Arduino IDE is used to write proper codes. The main aim of the study was to apply the knowledge of robotics and control systems to develop a functional mini robot from scratch. Specifically, the thesis presents how to build a robotic arm that can move and lift objects. And, this task is done by using different controlling techniques where potentiometer, Bluetooth Module, and IR senor were used and compared which technique gives better results. The structural components had several issues. The project's linkages foundation and gripper are all 3-D printed pieces that are being designed using Autodesk Inventor Professional 2021 software. Although they did not cause any problems with strength, there were some difficulties with properly tightening the gears onto the shaft. To overcome these difficulties glue is being used so that all servo motors hold with the link properly. In a broad sense, the robot can position and orient the end-effector to pick and place the object accurately from a distance.