Wooden hydraulic mechanical arm

In summary, a broken wooden hydraulic mech arm was found in the recycle bin of a school's art classroom. After some repairs and refilling, the device was able to function again as shown in a video. Although similar devices are sold on the market, this homemade one is considered cool and well-made. It serves as an excellent demo of robotics by showing what can be done and how it works without getting caught up in technical questions about voltage and current. It also allows for the demonstration of different mechanical advantages and ranges of travel.
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YoungPhysicist
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A wooden mech arm powered by four pairs of syringes
Yesterday, I found a device in the recycle bin of our school’s art classroom. It’s a broken wooden hydraulic mech arm someone built a couple years ago.

After some fixing and filling the syringes with water again, this is how it looks now:

93416ACC-8C6A-44DD-B6DA-EE3A13B9084A.jpeg


7BDDF637-01EB-42E0-8F4A-44EBA40CF7B6.jpeg


Here’s a video of it working:


I am aware of something very similar being sold on the market, but this is a homemade one, so really cool in my opinion.
 
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Whoever built this did a very nice job. It is a fine demo rig.
 
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I agree, it would be an excellent demo of robotics.

It is so common that novice robot builders get hung up on questions of how much voltage, how much current. What this demo does very well is to show what can be done, and how it works, and that the power could be supplied in many ways. How to provide the power should never be the first question for a proposed robot.

Thank you for sharing that @YoungPhysicist .
 
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You could even make up a set of smaller and larger control syringes, to demonstrate the differing mechanical advantage vs range of travel.
 
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1. What is a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm?

A wooden hydraulic mechanical arm is a type of robotic arm that is powered by hydraulic mechanisms. It is made primarily out of wood and uses fluid pressure to control its movements and perform tasks.

2. How does a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm work?

A wooden hydraulic mechanical arm works by using a series of interconnected tubes and pistons filled with fluid. When pressure is applied to one end of the system, it causes the pistons to move and control the arm's movements.

3. What are the advantages of using a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm?

One advantage of using a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm is its affordability and accessibility. Wood is a readily available and inexpensive material, making it a cost-effective option for building a robotic arm. Additionally, wood is lightweight and easy to work with, making it a good choice for creating intricate and precise movements.

4. What are some practical applications of a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm?

A wooden hydraulic mechanical arm can be used in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. It can be used for tasks that require precision and strength, such as lifting heavy objects, assembling products, or performing repetitive motions.

5. Can a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm be controlled remotely?

Yes, a wooden hydraulic mechanical arm can be controlled remotely using a control panel or a computer program. This allows for more flexibility and versatility in its use, as it can be operated from a distance and perform tasks in hard-to-reach or hazardous environments.

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