[sudo-discuss] robot arm for sudoroom

[Jake]

tl;dr can we put this giant robot arm at sudoroom?

http://spaz.org/~jake/pix/giantrobot

this is a six-axis robot with controller.  It is actually a MIG welding robot, but we can use it for whatever we want, like a giant 3d printer.  It is intended to be secured in position to the floor, or a platform of some kind, and weld metal pieces according to a program you teach it.

if Sudoroom can offer the space for this item, i think it will be a valuable tool and learning platform for robotics, electronics and mechanics, and an opportunity to develop new uses for tools like this.

After restoring the robot to functional status (by volunteers including me) we can play with it in various ways, like use it to play chess (including flipping the table over if it's about to lose)
Later i think we should attach a plastic melter/auger so that the arm can dispense melted ground-up #2 milk jugs or #1 PET soda bottles, and become a large-volume 3d printer.  we could put a camera and/or primesense on the end of its hand and make it a 3d scanner or computer vision platform…
If sufficient ventilation is provided to its area, it can actually be used as a MIG welding robot if people want.

here are a couple Motoman robots in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e904eHn8MDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQQlbx2S-j4
loading ikea shelves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duub_dO_TwU

Q:  What's the catch?
A:  Sudoroom must devote about 16 square feet for the control boxes and about 16 square feet for the robot itself.
Q:  How much will it cost?
A:  The price is $200 total, but we will have to find a pickup truck to transport it to sudoroom from berkeley.  The sellers will load it onto the truck with their forklift, and we may need a forklift to get it down.
Q:  But we don't have three-phase power!  Isn't 8 KW a lot of power?
A:  We can modify it to run on regular 2-phase power, and ideally we will significantly reduce the size of the power source at some point anyway.  And 8 KW is the maximum rating, moving continuously at full speed AND welding the whole time.  Powering it will not be a problem.
Q:  Who is paying for this?
A:  I (jake) have $20 on it and at least a couple of other people also are interested.  Will you also contribute money or time to this project?
Q:  What's the worst thing that could happen?
A:  We end up scrapping it because nobody cares about a giant robot :(

here are the strings found inscribed on its surfaces:

Motoman

TYPE:  YRFL-NNA10GB
LIFTING CAPACITY:  10kg
WEIGHT OF MACHINE PROPER:  300kg
SERIAL NO.:  RH9972-0064-13
ORDER NO.:  304438-1-1
DATE:  1990
YASKAWA ELECTRIC
KITAKYUSHU JAPAN

YASNAC ERC
TYPE: ENCM-RP6124
POWER SUPPLY:  200/220V 50/60Hz 3 PHASE  8 KVA
SERIAL NO.:  RPN789-051A-4
DATE:  5-1990   P/N.:  774
YASKAWA Electric Mfg. Co. Ltd.
JAPAN

WARNING:  DO NOT SUPPLY POWER TO THE 'YASNAC' BEFORE FIXING THE ROBOT BASE.  OTHERWISE THE ROBOT MAY FALL DOWN.

WARNING:  DO NOT OPEN THIS DOOR EXCEPT FOR MAINTENANCE OF 'YASNAC'
DO NOT CONNECT OR DISCONNECT ANY WIRING, CONNECTORS AND RELAYS WHILE POWER IS ON.

WARNING:  DO NOT ENTER THE ROBOT'S WORKING AREA / WHEN THE POWER IS ON.

WARNING:  USE TWO EQUALLY LENGTHENED WIREROPES AND HOOK THE ROBOT UP WITH TWO EYEBOLTS.  REMOVE THE CLAMPS (A) AND (B) BEFORE TURNING POWER ON.