robot arms

[Jonathan]

Robot arms are used in industry, but I don't think I've ever seen one for sale, and they probably go by a different name.

I saw one not so long ago at university. It was pretty amazing - about 2m tall, lots of rotary axis' with servos and very stealthy. The guy operating it let me have a go, just pressing the jog buttons. Fun :) ! Good to watch when it just moves in a straight line since none of the axis are linear. I think it was 6 axis iirc.

[Web Goblin]

I threw one in the skip a couple of months ago at work. Still worked perfectly well but we didnt use it anymore. It was a six axis Motoman robot used for gas cutting beams.
Anyway mosr robot arm are servo driven through gearboxes with brakes engaging when the motor power is off. Also encoders are used to indicate the position of the arm.
There is also a chrome plated one I think at the xscape centre at Breahead in Glasgow. I think it is called the Robocoaster and has two seats attached to it. A new idea for rollercoaster types I think.

Ian