Make: Robotic Arms

145Chapter 7: 3D Robotic Arms

Robot Three Remix:

Adding a Fourth Link

and an Electromagnet

There are a wide range of inventive designs

for a 3D robotic arm. This arm is capable of

manipulating just about anything in 3D space,

and there are interesting ways to increase the

functionality of the project.

By adding in a fourth link, as well as a fourth

servo, we can make the arm’s end effector

always level with the ground, which makes

grasping objects a lot easier. And we can design

a robotic arm that can pick up a wider range of

objects by swapping out the gripper for a less

traditional end effector like an electromagnet!