| | | | | Hello,
I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Pffff, oh man, that is so awesome. The only other flex picker I saw was in Brick
Fest 2003: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=490932
I am very impressed with how you made this. Excellent work. This kind of job
really shows how high tech Lego can be. Many thanks for the video!
Eric Sophie
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> Pffff, oh man, that is so awesome. The only other flex picker I saw was in Brick
> Fest 2003:
I've made 3-4 different versions as well. I unfortunately don't have any photos
of the most recent version.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1111600
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=118118
However my efforts have been more focused on speed than specific assembly tasks.
They are fantastic robots to work with. We used an ABB IRB340 for testing and
sorting milk samples in viles at high speed for a customer.
-Iain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Iain Hendry wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
>
> > Pffff, oh man, that is so awesome. The only other flex picker I saw was in Brick
> > Fest 2003:
>
> I've made 3-4 different versions as well. I unfortunately don't have any photos
> of the most recent version.
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1111600
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=118118
Hey wow, I like your solution as well! Well done and very straight forward.
Seeing yours helped me to understand these machines a bit more too, thanks!
Ugg so many cool parts, all those ball joint control arms, very nice!
> However my efforts have been more focused on speed than specific assembly tasks.
> They are fantastic robots to work with. We used an ABB IRB340 for testing and
> sorting milk samples in viles at high speed for a customer.
I see these machines work very quickly indeed!
> -Iain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Iain Hendry wrote:
> > In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> >
> > > Pffff, oh man, that is so awesome. The only other flex picker I saw was in Brick
> > > Fest 2003:
> >
> > I've made 3-4 different versions as well. I unfortunately don't have any photos
> > of the most recent version.
> >
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1111600
> >
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=118118
>
> Hey wow, I like your solution as well! Well done and very straight forward.
> Seeing yours helped me to understand these machines a bit more too, thanks!
>
> Ugg so many cool parts, all those ball joint control arms, very nice!
>
> > However my efforts have been more focused on speed than specific assembly tasks.
> > They are fantastic robots to work with. We used an ABB IRB340 for testing and
> > sorting milk samples in viles at high speed for a customer.
>
> I see these machines work very quickly indeed!
>
> > -Iain
This one can run much faster. I am running the motors at 35%. I had to choose
between realism and speed. If it goes much faster, when it stops suddenly, the
loose joints cause it to swing and sway. I would have to put about a one second
pause to let it stop before the next move. It is not pretty.
Plus, the center of gravity of the thing is really high and it is moving all the
time, so the whole frame sways a lot too. I spent a significant time developing
a rigid frame.
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> > In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Iain Hendry wrote:
> > > In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> > >
> > > > Pffff, oh man, that is so awesome. The only other flex picker I saw was in Brick
> > > > Fest 2003:
> > >
> > > I've made 3-4 different versions as well. I unfortunately don't have any photos
> > > of the most recent version.
> > >
> > > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=1111600
> > >
> > > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=118118
> >
> > Hey wow, I like your solution as well! Well done and very straight forward.
> > Seeing yours helped me to understand these machines a bit more too, thanks!
> >
> > Ugg so many cool parts, all those ball joint control arms, very nice!
> >
> > > However my efforts have been more focused on speed than specific assembly tasks.
> > > They are fantastic robots to work with. We used an ABB IRB340 for testing and
> > > sorting milk samples in viles at high speed for a customer.
> >
> > I see these machines work very quickly indeed!
> >
> > > -Iain
>
> This one can run much faster. I am running the motors at 35%. I had to choose
> between realism and speed. If it goes much faster, when it stops suddenly, the
> loose joints cause it to swing and sway. I would have to put about a one second
> pause to let it stop before the next move. It is not pretty.
35%. That shows how precise these systems are. I bet it would "whip" around
higher than that. Additional gearing down would just make it bigger.
I think that pause is also advantageous in that, you get a chance to hear and or
realize all the cool sounds your Flexpicker makes! That video is so great!
> Plus, the center of gravity of the thing is really high and it is moving all the
> time, so the whole frame sways a lot too. I spent a significant time developing
> a rigid frame.
Ahh I hear that! Good work.
> Chris
- Eric
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
>
> I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
>
> Chris
Crazy cool!
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
>
> I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
>
> Chris
What I want to know is what collegiat logo is that in the background. STATE is
all I can see.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Tommy Armstrong wrote:
> In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> > bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
> >
> > I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
> >
> > Chris
> What I want to know is what collegiat logo is that in the background. STATE is
> all I can see.
The Ohio State University. My alma mater and my second passion.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
>
> I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
>
> Chris
I just go an invitation to display this robot at the ABB Technology Days in
Auburn, MI in April. How cool is that!
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> > bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
> >
> > I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
> >
> > Chris
>
> I just go an invitation to display this robot at the ABB Technology Days in
> Auburn, MI in April. How cool is that!
>
> Chris
Congrats! That is great! How did they learn about your Robot? Did they see it on
Youtube? This is a great opportunity!
I bet people will be very very very interested in your robot! Likewise, I am
sure it will be equally facinating for you to see the other industry robots!
AWESOME!
This is not on only extremely cool, but also very important in terms of showing
people the possibilities of what Lego can do. You will be our ambassador!
Please tell us all about it and take plenty of photos!
Again, great opportunity! Good luck!
I love it when a good MOC pays off in unexpected ways like this. Giving the
chance to show your ideas to others.
So will the transport and set up be ok?
First time bringing it anywhere?
Eric
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Eric Sophie wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> > > bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
> > >
> > > I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
> > >
> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
> > >
> > > Chris
> >
> > I just go an invitation to display this robot at the ABB Technology Days in
> > Auburn, MI in April. How cool is that!
> >
> > Chris
>
> Congrats! That is great! How did they learn about your Robot? Did they see it on
> Youtube? This is a great opportunity!
>
> I bet people will be very very very interested in your robot! Likewise, I am
> sure it will be equally facinating for you to see the other industry robots!
> AWESOME!
>
> This is not on only extremely cool, but also very important in terms of showing
> people the possibilities of what Lego can do. You will be our ambassador!
>
> Please tell us all about it and take plenty of photos!
>
> Again, great opportunity! Good luck!
> I love it when a good MOC pays off in unexpected ways like this. Giving the
> chance to show your ideas to others.
>
> So will the transport and set up be ok?
> First time bringing it anywhere?
>
> Eric
They found out about it because I ruthlessly, shamelessly sent emails and posts
to everywhere I could find, including ABB and some of their partner companies.
I had no intentions except saying "Hey, look at this." They did, and they liked
it.
I was contacted by the VP of marketing by email the next day. He is going to
call me this week to set up the visit. He said that the company loves the MOC.
They "favorited" it on YouTube. He also asked me to write something up for the
ABB newsletter, which I did. You are correct about the ambassador thing, I have
introduced a lot of Lego engineers to the Flexpicker, and now I get to introduce
Lego robotics to the industrial robotics crowd. It's a pretty cool honor.
I also think that this is a tremendous opportunity because I am a Mech. Eng. who
would love to get into the robotics industry, I just haven't found my way yet.
Yes, I will have some crisp resumes ready.
One of the days that I will be displaying will be Bring Your Kid to Work day,
and many of the ABB employees will will get to see it with their kids. I can't
wait to see some of the kids faces.
I really hope that a few others take on this project, because it was a great
learning opportunity. It was a robot that had to be rebuilt several times to
work out bugs. Now it is one of the most stable, repeatable robots I have ever
built.
Transporting it will be another story. It is built so the frame all locks
together and won't come apart. I have ordered about $150 of new parts to match
colors, make it even better, etc. Finally, I can justify spending big bucks on
Lego and my wife won't argue with me about it! :) "But honey, I have to, it
won't work without it!!"
Chris
PS. Check out how the Aussie's describe me.
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/02/guy_builds_his_own_abb_flexpicker_robot_out_of_lego.html#comments
My friends now call me a "special breed of geek"
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Chris,
Your story and your efforts make me smile!
KUDOS-2-U!!
...keep us posted!
yours,
Eric Sophie
Legomaster
Biomechanical Bricks
p.s. congrats on the Gizmodo nod, too cool!
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> > bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
> >
> > I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
> >
> > Chris
>
> I just go an invitation to display this robot at the ABB Technology Days in
> Auburn, MI in April. How cool is that!
>
> Chris
The robot is set up and ready to run Tuesday thru Thursday at the ABB Technology
Days!
Check out some of the photos.
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3837438
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3837443
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3837442
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=3837445
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | .../snip
> > >
> > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
Wow,
absolutely fantastic work. Congrates! This is worth a web-site with details,
programs, photos, building instructions, comments, descriptions... that could be
inspired from Philo's site.
-Claude
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Claude Baumann wrote:
> .../snip
> > > >
> > > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
>
>
> Wow,
>
> absolutely fantastic work. Congrates! This is worth a web-site with details,
> programs, photos, building instructions, comments, descriptions... that could be
> inspired from Philo's site.
>
> -Claude
I am going to take some video at the show. The lighting there is spectacular.
I really hope to get more details published. Getting ready for the show has
taken sooooo much time.
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fantastic! Sweet set up. Everything looks so clean and tidy. Your set up is very
nice. Looks like people will be able to get up close to your display to see how
it works, rather than the caged industrial robots. Funny, don't be surprised if
your model is used as a visual aid during the event since people can get up
close to it, through out the ebb and flow of conversation! Very Cool!
Eric Sophie
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.robotics.nxt, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> > bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
> >
> > I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
> >
> > Chris
>
> I just go an invitation to display this robot at the ABB Technology Days in
> Auburn, MI in April. How cool is that!
>
> Chris
Some video of the Lego Flexpicker at ABB Technology days has been published on
YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TznZcsVGJus
Watch some (it is all pretty cool) then go to 5:50 to see the display.
The trip was awesome, and some really cool things are happening. ABB loves it
and wants more. I have created a really good relationship with a great company.
Chris
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.announce.moc, Chris Shepherd wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have posted a video of a working Flexpicker built out of Lego. It uses 4 NXT
> bricks. If you get a chance, please check it out.
>
> I hope you enjoy. Show the love with 5 stars!
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoXCn4Gh_HA
>
> Chris
Hey all,
Just a moment to brag a little. I just learned that my Flexpicker robot was
featured on the MAKE magazine blog
(http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/09/lego_flexpicker_robot.html) and the
Singularity Hub blog
(http://singularityhub.com/2009/09/15/someone-made-a-flexpicker-out-of-legos-nutty-video/)
The Singularity Hub blog has some very interesting comments about DIY robotics
that many will find interesting.
I know this is an old subject, but I hope it inspires some to build big and show
off your work because it is worth it.
Chris
| | | | | | |