+

Build Your Own Robotic Arm

Learning Objectives
about technological design

Learn Use

mathematical calculations for design about motion and force

Learn

Practice

communication skills through written and oral exercises

European Robotic Arm

Robot Arm
International Space Station through ESA, is one of the five partners (NASA, Russian Federal Space Agency, ESA, JAXA, CSA) contributing to the development of the International Space Station. The European Robot Arm (ERA) is one such contribution. acts as a tool for: Installation, deployment and replacement of elements of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station, Inspection of the Russian Segment, Support/transfer of EVA cosmonauts, Transfer of Orbital Replacement Units and other assembly tasks.

Europe,

ERA

Robot Arm
The European Robot Arm
Large

symmetrical robotic arm with 7 degrees of freedom arm consists of 2 End Effectors, 2 Wrists, 2 Limbs and 1 Elbow joint together with electronics and cameras. Both ends act as either a hand for the robot or the base from which it can operate.

The

Robot Arm
We

Building the European Robotic Arm

will build a robot arm from simple materials

arm must pick up a plastic cup from a distance of 45cm
Lift

The

the cup to a height of at least 15cm Bring the cup back to rest and release it
Pick

up cup upside down

Robot Arm
You cannot get too close
Robot Arm

Student

45cm

Cup

You cannot get any closer than 45cm to the cup at any time

Robot Arm
Wire
Cardboard Clothespins Ice

Available Materials
Paper
Short Tape Paper

clips
pencils

Cream sticks bands

fasteners

Rubber Binder

clips

Robot Arm
Divide

Outline and Procedures

into teams of two (2)

the requirements

Review Discuss

a solution and create a sketch of your design a model of your design with given materials your model

Build

Test

Robot Arm
Discuss
If

Redesign after testing

and agree upon a redesign

needed after testing, or to enhance the previous design

Answer

reflection questions as a team

10

Robot Arm
1.

Design requirements

The arm must pick up a plastic cup from a distance of 45cm Lift the cup to a height of at least 15cm Bring the cup back to rest and release it
Lift and release the cup when it is upside down

2.

11

Robot Arm
What

Reflection Questions

was one thing you liked about your design? What is its main weakness?
is one thing you would change about your design based on your experience there algebraic and physical principles that can be applied to this activity? would you modify the instructions to create a better experience for the participants?

What Are

How