A hobbyist has shared his recent project on building a micro robot arm with balanced counterweights, designed for compact yet efficient robotic manipulation. Unlike conventional designs that rely on high-torque servos, this arm uses counterweights to reduce motor strain, enabling the use of smaller, low-power servos.
The project evolved through multiple iterations, focusing on minimizing torque on the servos. Instead of bulky bearings, precision-engineered gimbal counterweights were introduced, providing better balance without increasing the overall size. The structure is 3D-printed, featuring hollow cylindrical mounts for servos and improved clamping cover plates for easier assembly. A magnetic claw attachment allows flexibility for different end effectors.
To achieve precise motion control, the arm employs inverse kinematics, translating target positions into joint angles. Early challenges included servo response delays, later fixed by optimizing serial communication timeouts in the Arduino-based control system.
This project demonstrates how counterweighted designs can enhance the efficiency of small-scale robotic systems, making them more accessible and practical for hobbyists and developers alike.
