Building the MeArm Robotic Arm
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
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Note - Don't make the same error that I did - TAKE THE PLASTIC COATING OFF FIRST!
The MeArm is a small robot arm that was originally designed as a teaching device for schoolchildren. Despite its toy-like appearance, it is also an excellent tool for serious robotics experimenters who would like to develop software and control systems for robotic arms without a large hardware expenditure.
MeArm is an open-source hardware project, making the design freely available to anyone. Over 10,000 MeArms have already been built by people around the world.
In this LONG video, I will construct the MeArm using the MeArm Kit. I will take you step-by-step through the construction, including using an Arduino Uno to calibrate and control the MeArm servo motors. In other videos in the series I’ll design and construct an advanced controller for the MeArm.
If you are building (or are considering building) your own MeArm you will find this video useful, especially as the MeArm assembly manual has a few errors that caused me grief that you’ll want to avoid. I even make a HUGE mistake right from the beginning (didn’t remove the protective covering from the acrylic components) that you definitely don’t want to repeat!
Again this is a long video but in order to illustrate the 52 steps required to assemble a MeArm I really had no choice. I hope you find it useful and that it inspires you to build your own MeArm robotics arm.
Here is a breakdown of the video for those of you who need to skip to a specific section (the “step numbers” are as listed in the MeArm Arduino Assembly Manual):
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - MeArm Kit Contents
05:26 - MeArm Servo Calibration
11:19 - MeArm Steps 1-3
12:16 - MeArm Steps 5-8 (I missed step 4!)
13:15 - MeArm Steps 10-11 (there is no step 9)
14:08 - MeArm Step 12
14:54 - MeArm Steps 13-14
15:18 - MeArm Step 15
15:32 - MeArm Steps 16-17
16:28 - MeArm Step 18
16:50 - MeArm Steps 19 - 21
17:41 - MeArm Step 23 (step 22 is not shown)
18:19 - MeArm Steps 24-25
19:02 - MeArm Step 26
19:41 - MeArm Step 27
20:28 - MeArm Step 28
21:27 - MeArm Step 29
22:49 - MeArm Step 30
23:32 - MeArm Step 31
24:43 - MeArm Step 32
25:15 - MeArm Step 33
25:46 - MeArm Step 35 (step 34 is not shown)
26:51 - MeArm Steps 36 - 37 SNAFU!
28:36 - Correction for Steps 36 -37 SNAFU2!
28:50 - MeArm Steps 38 - 40
31:05 - MeArm Steps 41 - 44
32:41 - MeArm Step 45
33:52 - MeArm Step 46
34:59 - MeArm Step 47
35:28 - MeArm Step 48
36:46 - MeArm Steps 49 - 51
38:31 - MeArm Step 4 (missing from beginning)
38:50 - MeArm Step 52
39:20 - MeArm MAJOR ERROR
44:05 - MeArm Conclusion and demo
For a complete guide see the corresponding article. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I like when you SHOW mistakes - then explain how you found and fixed the issues. It's like my "expert" (you) is REAL (good).
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks for your help! Built this last minute as a 4-H project with my middle daughter, and this saved a TON of time and headache!
We'd like to say a huge thank you for making this video!
I enjoy watching all your videos. They’re clean, concise, and educational. Some of the content is a little over my head, but it’s good to get me out of my “comfort zone“.
Reminds me once again, read ALL instructions before beginning. In this case watch the entire video before beginning🙃
Thanks for a great step by step tutorial.
You are a legend sir!!!! Really helping me for my final year project. I wish I could have found you earlier!!! Thankyou
Underrated channel
Thank you for another wonderful video.
For anyone building their own MeArm, the small machine screws are M2.3 10mm, and are sold on Amazon as well as the hex screws. I'm ordering the multi pack M3 x 5/6/8/10/12/14/16/18/20/22/25/30 mm Alloy Steel Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Bolts Nuts Assortment Kit.
The bot Bob is making (please correct me if I'm wrong) is the 1.0 model. I can't seem find the 1.0 pre-cut so I'm printing my own. :)
I think right before step 29 I would have waited to put in the screw/nut combo until I fit all of the tabs together, but I see you did that later in the steps.
Many thanks for all your explications, commentaries and demonstrations. It was a pleasure to follow you step by step. Again many thinks Sir !!
You are most welcome! Stay tuned for more.
Nice save Bill.
Excellent video. Thanks for this. I'm going to try to make one from cardboard.
I’m looking at this years after you produced it. Very interesting. I may try it. I really appreciate you showing where you made mistakes. This helps me a lot. I tend to feel very badly when I make an error and it’s good to see that experts like you make mistakes, fix the problem and keep going😀
Q
These videos are very nicely made. Thanks for uploading them into youtube.
You are very welcome
Again. Wonderfull videos with clean and concise intructional content. I am envious of your excelent workshop. After watching your videos i feel like i owe you something.
You don't owe me anything, but if you know anyone else who might be interested in the channel I'd love it if you sent them here!
Thanks for doing this. You have been a great help.
Glad that I could be of help John!
yup it was informative and thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks so much for the video. I FIND THE ME ARM HARD TO ASSEMBLE BUT THIS VIDEO MADE IT EASIER. VERY HELPFUL
Glad you found it useful. Please subscribe to the channel as I'm building a more advanced MeArm controller that I'll be featuring in a video soon.
Sure exited to see what you come up with
... do you have a schedule or was the project abandoned?
th-cam.com/video/C8BJDI4krNM/w-d-xo.html
Really nice work thanks you
You are very welcome!
Explanation of "The Major Error" aka "The Problem" starts at 41:00
And the issue at hand: PEEL OFF THE PLASTIC (43:35)
Thank you very much
Hi Bill, Thank you very much for all the work you are doing with passion and cleverness.
Do you have a link to buy your specific kit?
Thank i got my problem to assembly this robotic arm and then fix it👍👍
This is great!
Thank you
Thank You for this tutorial!!! I was wondering about the calibration of the servos part and how you wired them from the bread board to the arduino please.
Thank you for your video,
You are very welcome.
cool workshop
Fantastic helpful videos....much thanks...can I ask you about that blue grid surface you work on...thanks
A tiny bit of silicon grease might also help for long term smooth running joints, although keeping dust and dirt away from the grease as time goes on is for another discussion. I am sure the rebuild was just as fun, who hasn't had to get back into a project to isolate an issue or two?
Was the advanced control video ever released??
just curious, as I am looking to do something similar for a school project. Excellent work!!
I envy your super-neat, squeaky clean, tidy workshop. My studio is an unholy mess as I am short of storage spaces for my miscellaneous things. This year, I am working to convert a spacious garage into a workshop for woodwork, screenprinting, art, computers, library, etc. In the recent times, I have taken up learning electronics and programming. I am making progresses in them, though I have struggles with some studies. I am thankfully familiar with mechanical drawing which I had done years ago. If I have the combined knowledge of skills, I reckon I could make robotic arms. I know good programs for drawing involute gears.
If you do convert the garage then I'll be the one who envies you, my workshop is neat and efficient but it's also very small - I have additional storage areas outside of the room.
What I love about robotics is exactly what you've touched on in your comment, robotics combines different engineering disciplines like mechanical design, electronics and programming which opens up the field to lots of different people with different technical backgrounds.
I'll bet you could build a super robotic arm with your knowledge of mechanical design and your other skills. Put a 3D printer into your new workshop and you'll probably rule the world in a few years!
DroneBot Workshop there are free open source softwares for mechanical drawing, 3D modelling and digital sculpting, those that you can download. You might be interested in FreeCAD as a free alternative to AutoCAD. Onshape is another CAD program. Onshape comes in three version: free educational, free public and paid professional. You should check out Onshape.
I use Blender and Sculptris exclusively for creating 3D models on screen. They are free and downloadable from their official websites. Warning: Blender has a very steep learning curve. I spend three years studying Blender and I have learned only about 75% of its usage. It is an addictive software. Sculptris is only for digital sculpting. For economy of labour, I use that for quickly creating characters and afterwards exporting them to Blender for retopology.
I have recently signed up for Onshape, an online browser CAD program many times easier and more sophisticated than SolidWorks. Onshape can automatically draw you numbers of teeth on gears, tangents on circles, and so on. On plus side, Onshape cuts down your complex calculations. I don't know how free is Onshape, but it is an AWESOME software. If Onshape doesn't allow me to export files, then I will at least use it for its onscreen calculations and copy drawings in FreeCAD.
Very nice video! Thank you! I have a question, do those servo motors provide position feedback? I am wondering it it would be possible to write software that lets us program MeArm by moving it manually and record those movements to make MeArm later repeat them.
Thank you some much, you made this project easier for me
I have always been watching your videos on how to make things on an Arduino
thx so much I even liked and subscribed to your channel
I think I must give you something in return
very good
Thank You!
Does the supply of servos has to be 2 amperes?
I use an old charger of cellphone and it's 5v 550mA
@DroneBot Workshop
Thank You for your videos, I really enjoy to learn
We now produce the MeArm without any plastic backing on the acrylic!
Is it not possible to program automatic movement with the Arduino? Perhaps mounting it on a mapped surface to move objects?
really nice video, i followed all ur steps, my mearm works great ! Only have some troubles with the LCD screen, kinda hard to read informations, i often need to push on it so the text can be read.
Thanks @DroneBot Workshop
Hi Mathias, have you been in touch about the screen? Sometimes taking the screen off and putting it back on again can help with this issue. If that doesn't help please get in touch at support.mime.co.uk
as brilliant as you are I am very surprised you didn't know or even discover to remove the plastic.....it was funny....sometimes that plastic film is on so well it looks like it is suppose to stay on so I understand.
Hi, very nice work, I cuilded mine, but my servos move on their own, coul you please offer me any insight of how to repair it?
I do have the MeArm and I will combine with L295N that you described on the other video, which will have wheel in it, also I'm planning to use PS3 remote controller with UNO R3 to run this toy.
Anyway, thanks again for the nice video.
And THANK YOU for you r nice comment, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. I'd be interested in seeing what you come up with, you should post a video of your "creation" once you have it finished. I'm thinking of getting another MeArm to use in a robot project myself.
Great video...but can't find your name anywhere. Quick Q: what is the weight lifting capacity? Especially when the arm is fully extended? Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I love you to new video from Kenya
can you, please, provide the inverse kinematics of this arm?
With these arms, there is interaction between the right and left servos. Has anyone programmed the arduino to allow true up and down motion and in and out motion? We should be able to calculate how much of each of the left and right servos are needed ( for any angle of the arm) to move the jaws just vertically, or just radially. It could be a fun project but I'd hate to re-invent the wheel!
I'm assuming the motors were calibrated to the middle of their range of motion?
If you use potentiometer to control the arm what rating of potentiometer is needed?
How do you make it automatic with an ultrasonic sensor to just pick objects up
Great video. I tried to build my MeArm yesterday but after assembling it, the left and right servos won't move. I hear the servos chattering but they barely move. Is this because I tightened the screws too tightly?
It could very well be, I found that you can't over tighten the screws. Also make sure you have the motors aligned properly. And of course don't make the same error I did and leave the plastic on the acrylic sheets!
I also found that the machine screw that is at the front of the left servo assembly could sometimes bind with the arm mechanism. I ended up filing mine down a bit to prevent this.
Hi There , I Need help creating this same Arm but controlled by a 3.2 TFT display . I want to have a simple menu system on the TFT , when you select a specific number the servos should rotate to that specific direction.
Hello sir, great video anyway. But I have a question, sir. I still don't understand regarding calibration. What's the function and if we didn't do a calibration what will be happened?
I've found the POTS you have used do not have high fidelity and vary between each one and are almost impossible to match. Then again, I don't have an oscilloscope...
hi, i spent 1 whole day to assemble this due to no labelling on parts. i am facing an issue: when i install the claw,the whole arm shows only jerks when i move the joysticks. without the claw assembly and with base and 2 arms insatlled, all 3 movements are ok. ive kept lose all screws where there is a movement......any help?
I want to build one with memory. Looped action.
Welcome the electronics IKEA store!
Hello, I also recently purchased this designer, but I have a small problem (there is not all the parts), can you throw off the detail drawings
Hello
Thank you for the video. I had bought the kit with the arduino and joy sticks.
I'm a new student in electronics and I'm waiting on my package. Question.. do you have a code to drive the servos ?
Hi Hugo. Hopefully you've received the package and are enjoying your MeArm. Remember to TAKE OFF THE PLASTIC FIRST (which someone had told me that when I got mine LOL).
I have code that uses four potentiometers on my website, you can see it at dbot.ws/asmearm. As a joystick is really just a horizontal and vertical potentiometer in one package it should work with two joysticks as well.
And I'll be putting out a video and article in the new year about a more advanced MeArm controller so if you haven't subscribed to the channel yet please do - that way you'll get notified when I release the video.
best of luck with your MeArm!
The original code for the MeArm can be found on github github.com/mimeindustries/mearm-brains-arduino
Thanks a lot for the video - maybe place the "error" at the beginning of the video, in stead of when it's all over? :p
Agree, I made the same mistake and found that out in the middle of building it.
Sorry, you're right - I should have mentioned it at the beginning. Thanks for the feedback, I promise not to repeat the same mistake in future videos if I run into something like this again!
I'm building this for a school project and i need to know what i need for it
Sounds like a great school project.
I bought the MeArm kit without a controller, so in addition to the kit I needed to supply an Arduino. I also used an I/O shield on the Arduino to make the wiring easier but that's optional, you could do an even better job by wiring up your own shield with a piece of perfboard and a couple of connectors.
+DroneBot Workshop thanks for the information, I also love the video.
Keep up the Good work
Evo Star me to, I'm making some modifications to it but this video is helpful for the base build ☺
Well my arm is not working.it's pretty much shaking.what should i do?. ( it's wooden. Please reply)
I noticed that you didn't take off the protective plastic from the beginning.
Also, after viewing the video I'm not going to get a ME arm...
Hi there! I have a different version with joysticks in a shield, is it possible to send me the program?
sir how to connect the servo motors to that shield and also the potentiometer
Inam I answered this question for you when you asked it in the comments on my website at dbot.ws/mearm1. Please see my response there.
can i build this project using arduino UNO board plzzzz tell me
Wat is the cost of making this? ????
The 8 mm screw that goes in the claw is too short
(Edit) It appeared too shot
t because of the plastic.
wherw can i get this board
... I'm still waiting for the next video about the MeArm robot. Is there something going on or is the project canceled?
It has not been cancelled. Originally it was scheduled for a few months ago but due to a family emergency I had to stop all recording for a while. I'm just getting back on track and the MeArm is definitely one of the videos I'll be making very soon. Sorry for the delay but it couldn't be helped.
I'm also going to put the MeArm to use in another video that I am actually recording right now so if you haven't subscribed yet I suggest you do so that you'll be informed when it come out.
Sorry for the long wait for my answer. But I have just finished my MeArm and am editing the video. With your permission, I will link to your video as a very good construction manual.
I also planned my video about an Otto Robot for the next hours.
And I'm really waiting for your sequel to the MeArm video.
greetings from Germany
I am also using the same kit but slightly changes in design of Gripper. I got a issue. Whenever I turned on it starts shaking even if I am not giving any input. I am using 5K potentiometer. I use 5v and Gnd from Arduino UNO which is powered by 12v 1Amps power supply adaptor. Even I use 12v 2amps Power supply , I got the same result.
Can you tell What is the reason for Shaking and how can I overcome it ?
Please Sir
what is the i/o shield which you have used on top of the arduino plzzzzz tell me
Hi Inam. The shield I used is a pretty common Arduino Sensor Shield. The one I used in the project is maid by Sainsmart but I have others by different manufacturers as well and they are all pretty much the same.
This one on eBay is an example, it's just like the one I used - ebay.to/2m6t64S
hello sir, what is the program you have used for mearm to control using potentiometer as you gave the website of code bender it is not working with potentiometers
I Inam. The code for the controller with the potentiometers is on my website, dronebotworkshop.com.
So 1200 people gave this a thumbs up while not having watched the entire video. At the end he basically says that this entire video was pointless due to a major error he made. Good thing you gave the discraimer to pull the plastic off at the very very end of the video when everyone probably already made that mistake.
Can i use a Arduino mega without a i/o shield?
No problem - you could use a Mega or a Uno by itself and it would work fine. I only used the I/O shield because it made the connections easier, especially the multiple ground connections and the connections to the external 5 Volt power supply.
and as Iam using the arduino UNO so I want to know whether i want to use the i/o shield or not
The I/O shield is optional, you can connect the servos and potentiometers directly to the Arduino if you wish. You;ll have to make the power connections offboard, make sure to use a separate power supply fore the servos as they draw too much current for the Uno's onboard voltage regulator.
I got a problem at step 17, it doesn't let me secure the left motor to its part... the 8mm screw it is too short. I even cracked one side of the part where the servo is inserted. I've been trying over and over for half an hour but all I got it's a broken piece. Any advice? Thanks in advance.
watching closely i can see one of the pieces is thinner. I'll use a 10mm screw.
how to connect the servos to it
and i want to know whether it is compulsary to connect it or not
Not sure I understand your question? If you're speaking about the calibration procedure recommended by the makers of the MeArm then no, it's not actually compulsory but it;s a good idea. Both my video and my article detail the connections, as does the MeArm assembly manual.
I have just added a Fritzing diagram that illustrates the hookup to the servos and the potentiometers. You'll find it in the article at dbot.ws/mearm1 - the diagram is near the bottom with the code.
Would be nice to plug a joystick to control it
can i use arduino uno instead by using arduino mega
You may wish to watch the video again - I AM using an Uno! Any Arduino would work in this application, just make sure to use digital outputs that are PWM -capable for driving the servos.
At 16:05 you say " make sure the arm is in the nine o clock orientation, but to me that arm is at 10 o clock...
Is there a way that I can program it
I am building a robot arm controller that you can indeed program, I'll be presenting it very soon. I'm building it to work with any servo motor based robot arm with up to 6-degrees of freedom, so it wil work with the MeArm. Stay tuned!
@@Dronebotworkshop Where can i buy the arduino shield?
count how many times he said mearm ? I counted 358
sir can I make it using my own parts and own gripper and using joystick for aurdiuno. can. u make it
Hi Harshit
The MeArm is an open-source project and the design file to laser-cut the arm components are available from Thingiverse - www.thingiverse.com/thing:993759/#files , so if you have the ability to laser-cut acrylic or a similar material you can duplicate the design. I have also heard of users constructing MeArms using 3D printers, which may be more accessible to you than a laser cutter.
You could also use the MeArm design as a basis for your own design.
The most complex part in my opinion is the gripper claw assembly, it's a smart design but it might be difficult to reproduce on your own. But then again you may even design a better one!
Personally I purchased the MeArm kit as I don't have the equipment to do the laser cutting on my own and I wanted to have the mechanical bits done for me so I could focus on the electronics which is more of my specialty.
DroneBot Workshop sir i live in india and iam not able to find me arm on any website. where do i can get it any help sir.
can u tell me whats the cost of me arm
DroneBot Workshop and thanks for replying on a such short period.
Hi Harshit.
The MeArm is available from Mime Industries in the UK - shop.mime.co.uk/collections/mearm. The current price is 32.99 British Pounds, which is about 2780 Indian Rupees or 44 US dollars. That's the price for the unit I used, which is the Basic kit with the arm parts and the motors but no Arduino or controller. You'll need to use your own Arduino to control the MeArm as I did in the video.
Hanzhen harmonic gear , robot arm gear reducer
When you realize you need to take the plastic off. I'm guessing that was a f-sake moment.
Thanks for the video - recently purchased what I thought was the MeArm, but it was a look a like by another company. Not good - concept has been basterdised by someone - claw action bears no resemblance to yours. the type of screw provided did not like going in. Item Did not come with a manual lots of issues getting one. Several parts not looking like anything in the manual - seemed to be a mish-mash of parts. Not withstanding enjoyed all your efforts - good clear video its just a shame that my experience with a similar product has not been a good one would not recommend the version I got for children.
Is calibrating the servo's the same as centering? Could a tool like this be used? th-cam.com/video/hAKwNOnIEfU/w-d-xo.html
Not quite the same. If you look at the Arduino code (in the MeArm manual or on the site at dbot.ws/asmearm) you'll see that three of the servos are set to the 90 degree position but the claw servo is set at 35 degrees. So the tool you have pointed out would work for three of the servos but not for the one used on the claw.
You could however use one of those inexpensive servo testers and adjust the dial to the correct position if you didn't want to use the Arduino. But as you'll likely be using an Arduino to control the MeArm anyway it probably makes sense to use it - that way you'll know everything is working correctly once you finish assembling the MeArm.
leprudo
Assalamualaikum Ustad di tunggu kunjungan balik nya ya
dont twist "me arm" ill try it ;)
U made it worse man