Arcade Claw Machine
A custom scratch-built arcade claw machine for community events for my robotics club. Constructed with aluminum channels, delrin racks and pinions, and custom 3D printed components. Standard continuous rotation servos were used for the movement axes, while micro servos were used to actuate the claw. Controls were handled via an arduino, battery packs, and a soldered breadboard.
Features
Surgical tubing belt driven motion axes that protect the motors by slipping before the motor has the chance to stall when hitting an endstop. This was especially relevant since young children were the target audience of the machine.
Custom 3 pronged claw driven by two micro-servos that move a piston connected via linkage to each of the prongs. The design is completely balanced so that the claw can be suspended by only one centrally attached string
Controls are integrated onto a soldered breadboard console to simplify the design of the console and show the electrical components to the user. This was especially relevant because this claw machine's primary purpose was to get children excited about STEM and engineering.