Final Project Proposal: Autonomous Robotic Arm
For my final project in Fab Academy, I plan to design and build a fully functional robotic arm entirely from scratch. My goal is to take full advantage of the skills I have learned throughout the course — from electronics and PCB design to mechanical fabrication and programming — and integrate them into a single complex system.
Project Components
Mechanical Structure
I aim to design the robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to perform precise movements. I plan to fabricate all structural parts myself using CNC milling, laser cutting, and 3D printing, depending on the component requirements. This will give me control over both durability and weight, which are critical for the arm’s performance.
Electronics and Control
I want to design and produce my own custom PCBs to control the motors and sensors of the robotic arm. This will include motor drivers, microcontrollers, and feedback circuits, allowing the system to operate smoothly and respond to commands accurately. Designing the electronics myself ensures full customization and a deep understanding of how every part of the system interacts.
Motors Selection
For the motors of my robotic arm, I plan to use GoBilda motors — the same ones I used in my previous FTC competitions. These motors are reliable, have good torque and speed characteristics, and I already have experience working with them. Using these motors for the robotic arm allows me to leverage my previous knowledge and adapt them to precise control for each joint of the arm.
Integrating the GoBilda motors will involve designing appropriate motor drivers on my custom PCBs and implementing feedback systems to accurately control their position and speed. This ensures that the robotic arm can perform smooth and precise movements while maintaining stability.
Sensors and Feedback
To make the robotic arm intelligent and responsive, I plan to integrate sensors such as position encoders, limit switches, and possibly force sensors. These will allow the arm to detect its own position and react to external conditions, which is important for precise manipulation tasks.
Software and Programming
Finally, I will develop the software to control the arm, including both low-level motor control and high-level task execution. I plan to experiment with basic automation routines and perhaps some simple AI-based control to allow the arm to perform complex movements.
Project Philosophy
The main philosophy behind my project is “do it all yourself”: every part of the robotic arm — from the mechanical design to the electronics and software — will be created, tested, and assembled by me. This approach not only demonstrates my skills in fabrication and design but also provides a comprehensive understanding of how integrated systems work.