In the event you’re simply tinkering with small robots, then you definitely in all probability need not spend some huge cash on motors for actuation. Low-cost servos, steppers, and DC motors will get the job executed when paired with normal drivers. However whenever you start to enterprise into the world of significant robotics, high-performance motors turn out to be a severe expense. They have to be exact and correct, with quite a lot of energy in a compact bundle. The robotic canine you have seen from firms like Boston Dynamics can include 1000’s of {dollars} value of motors. In the event you’re on a price range, it is best to try the 3D-printable OpenQDD V1 robotic actuator.
OpenQDD V1 is an entire bundle, with the motor, driver, and gearbox all wrapped up in a single unit. Its designer, aaedmusa, does not present full efficiency particulars, but it surely has a robust Eaglepower 8308 pancake-style 90Kv brushless DC motor with a planetary gearbox that gives a 9:1 gear discount. That is sufficient to exert 16.36Nm of torque. The actuator physique and the gearbox are 3D-printable utilizing normal PLA filament, and any extra torque than that may in all probability require stronger gears.
An ODrive S1 controls the brushless DC motor. That could be a closed-feedback controller that makes use of a magnetic encoder to place the shaft. In contrast to an ESC (Digital Pace Management) module that’s meant to regulate fixed rotation, the ODrive S1 can rotate by small, exact quantities. It additionally supplies nifty options, akin to CAN and USB management.
The whole value to construct one OpenQDD V1 is about $247. The overwhelming majority of that value ($149) is the ODrive S1 and it could be doable to avoid wasting cash with a inexpensive controller that has fewer options. Many of the remainder of the fee ($61) is the motor. That’s, after all, fairly a bit of cash. However it’s inexpensive when in comparison with business alternate options in the marketplace.
