Robotic Arm with USB PC Interface Gearbox

At each joint, there is a gearbox driven by a DC motor, providing one degree of freedom (DOF). In total, there are five gearboxes together with their motors, providing this robotic arm 5 DOF.

Four of the gearboxes are identical with the only difference being the motors used. In particular, you should pay careful attention to the colour of their wires.

These gearboxes do not have an encoder disk or anything that can sense the maximum and minimum limit positions, consequently, the motors will continue to turn even after reaching these limits. Each gearbox has a worm screw, which as a safety feature jumps the thread when the worm wheel cannot turn anymore. Usually a clicking sound is heard when the limit is reached. To prevent damage to the gearbox, you should cut the power to the motor as soon as you hear this noise.

To construct the arm, you simply join the gearboxes as shown.

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