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Build Your
Own
Robotic Arm

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Learning Objectives

Learn

about technological
design

Use

mathematical
calculations for design

Learn

about motion and force

Practice

communication skills
through written and oral
exercises
European Robotic Arm

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Robot Arm
International Space Station
Europe,

through ESA, is one of the five partners

(NASA, Russian Federal Space Agency, ESA, JAXA,
CSA) contributing to the development of the
International Space Station. The European Robot
Arm (ERA) is one such contribution.

ERA

acts as a tool for:

Installation, deployment and replacement of
elements of the Russian Segment of the
International Space Station,
Inspection of the Russian Segment,
Support/transfer of EVA cosmonauts,
Transfer of Orbital Replacement Units and other

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Robot Arm
The European Robot Arm
Large

symmetrical
robotic arm with 7
degrees of freedom

The

arm consists of 2 End

Effectors, 2 Wrists, 2
Limbs and 1 Elbow joint
together with electronics
and cameras. Both ends
act as either a hand for
the robot or the base from
which it can operate.

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Robot Arm
Building the European Robotic Arm
We

will build a robot arm from simple

materials

The

arm must pick up a plastic cup

from a distance of 45cm
Lift

the cup to a height of at least 15cm

Bring the cup back to rest and release it
Pick

up cup upside down

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Robot Arm

You cannot get too close

Robot Arm
Student

45cm

Cup

You cannot get any closer than

45cm to the cup at any time

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Robot Arm
Available Materials

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Robot Arm
Outline and Procedures
Divide

into teams of two (2)

Review

the requirements

Discuss

a solution and create a sketch

of your design

Build

a model of your design with given

materials

Test

your model

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Robot Arm
Redesign after testing
Discuss

and agree upon a redesign

If

needed after testing, or to enhance the

previous design

Answer

reflection questions as a team

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Robot Arm
Design requirements
The arm must pick up a
plastic cup from a distance
of 45cm
Lift the cup to a height of
at least 15cm
Bring the cup back to rest
and release it

1.

2.

Lift and release the cup

when it is upside down

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Robot Arm
Reflection Questions
What

was one thing you liked about your

design? What is its main weakness?

What

is one thing you would change about

your design based on your experience

Are

there algebraic and physical principles

that can be applied to this activity?

How

would you modify the instructions to

create a better experience for the
participants?

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