May 1, 2014
A SCARA robot is primarily used for assembly and can be programmed to handle precise installation work repetitively. SCARA stands for Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm or Selective Compliant Articulated Robot Arm. However robotic arms for manufacturing or research often are priced between $10k to $40k.
Flux Integration LLC, a Biddeford, Maine USA based robotics and automation company, has developed FLX.ARM.S16, the first low-cost precision SCARA robot arm.
The software for FLX.ARM is based on Flux Integration's FLX.IDE, an Integrated Development Environment comprised of a stack of software modules, including motion control, and simulation modules, as well as kinematics, toolpath visualization, simple threaded flow programming, and G-Code import.
The motion control hardware interface for FLX.IDE is FLX.CTL, which was built as an extensible platform to enable distributed real-time low latency signal I/O. FLX.CTL synchronizes motion for a workcell of machine platforms.
In early 2013 Flux Integration received a grant, from the Maine Technology Institute, to begin the process of beta testing FLX.IDE and FLX.CTL. As part of the beta testing process, the team has developed FLX.ARM.
With modular toolheads, the FLX.ARM has the ability to pick and place, 3D print, and can be used for dispensing, light-duty milling, probing, and as a machine tool assistant.
"The collaborative nature of a robotic arm is what differentiates it from all other machine platforms. Collaboration enables a robotic arm to change tools and load parts on a CNC mill or lathe and provides scalability with 3D printing, pick and place, and assembly operations." notes the company.
The arm is currently available for pre-order at a price of $1995. You can see FLX.ARM's printing action in the clip below.
Posted in 3D Printers
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Would be sweet to see multiple arms working together on a large print to speed up print time. Or being used to more efficiently create multi-material prints.
alidan wrote at 5/2/2014 8:39:09 AM:
if this prints in high enough quality, you could actually print a new printer, circuit board and all, barring things like motors though. but thats assuming you need to, still dont know the quality of this printers printing.
Chris wrote at 5/2/2014 7:55:22 AM:
Cool, I think the robot arm technology has the ability to be much more reliable and scalable than existing printers
Ben wrote at 5/1/2014 9:59:14 PM:
Very nice! would like to see final prints. Love the price and multi function! Would like to see interface for easy programming movement. Could use it to add components while 3d printing on another machine.... and/or extracting part off another printer!