how to drive this robot

[keebler303]

If I were to buy this robot without controls, could I use gecko's or some other reasonably priced servo controller to power the motors?

Does fanuc use standard motors and encoders that could be interfaced to generic drivers?

It is a Fanuc S700.
http://www.autotech-robotics.com/Used/Fanuc-S710.jpg

Thanks

Matt

[Zumba]

No. Geckos are for DC brushed servos. The robot uses AC brushless servos. Even if they were the same type, the Geckos would be way too small.

[walter]

Talk to Zone member Xerxes- he's building AC drives

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14477

[svenakela]

You should check Rutex as well. http://www.rutex.com

Regards,
Sven

[keebler303]

Looks like this will be out of my budget. I thought it would be cool to have a robot to play with but drives for 6 axis looks like 2 much just for a toy.

Thanks
Matt

[Zumba]

Where is this robot located? Is it for sale?

[keebler303]

yes, on ebay.

Cincinnati Ohio

1,000 for just robot, no drives, includes cables and motors.

Matt

[walter]

Hey, isn't that the robot from GM Super Bowl commercial?? The one that was fired and then jumped off a bridge?

LOL, No wonder it has no electronics...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQKk3PI-DW8



I wouldn't buy that if I were you...check out the movie 'Hardware'..

[ahren]

Even if you can get drives for the robot, the kinematics for this sort of device are non-trivial. Unlike a gantry, you can't just drive to the desired X, Y and Z -- you need to go through the coordinate transforms for each joint, which requires you to know the dimensions of the joints as well. Without the controller for the robot, I don't think you'll have much fun with this one.

[svenakela]

There are open source/freeware softwares for driving robots. Do some googling.

Regards,
Sven

[keebler303]

If you want to move in a straight line using simultaneous 6 axis movement, no not trivial at all. If you can get an old industrial robot functioning and be able to learn how to do some really cool things as you go, I see no problem. If I bought it I would like to get it running with mach and then just start playing around, purely fun and hobby value, not like I am gonna start welding up cars with it or anything.

Matt

[ahren]

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade -- certainly you could use one of the open source programs available if all you want to do is mess around. Seeing as how this is CNC zone, I figured the poster might be interested in tool paths, or at least going to defined XY positions. Without knowing the lengths of the joints, the accuracy you would be able to achieve in either case will be fairly limited. I have experienced just this problem with a demo SCARA robot, which is far less complicated than this beasty. All that being said, the point still remains that robots are just plain cool .