Robotic Arm Manipulator Mechanical Design
As a final project in my Computer Aided Design (CAD) course at UCLA, I worked with a team of four to design a robotic manipulator inspired by the flexibility and adaptability of an octopus tentacle.
Highlights
- Design Goals:
- Achieved 6 degrees of freedom
- Emulated flexible, ball-joint-like motion
- Maintained simplicity using axial and planar revolutions with Servo-Motor CAD
- System Design:
- Five subassemblies: grabber, wrist, forearm, stand, and base
- Combined off-the-shelf components with custom 3D-printed ABS parts
- Manufacturing Considerations:
- Designed for cost-efficiency and ease of assembly
- Lightweight (~3 kg) and low-cost (< $450) build