Design and Implementation of Multi-Degree of Freedom Robot Arm

A robotic arm is a programmable mechanical device designed to mimic the movement and functionality of a human arm. It consists of interconnected segments joined by joints, enabling precise and versatile motion, typically controlled by algorithms and software. In this paper, we present a multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm designed for lightweight, low-cost applications, featuring a modular structure that allows for easy reconfiguration and scalability. The arm was developed using a combination of Multi-Body Simulation (MBS), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and real-time control integration to optimize its mechanical performance. This work introduces a novel approach that combines geometric inverse kinematics solutions with real-time MATLAB-based control, ensuring high precision and responsiveness across diverse tasks. The robotic arm’s lightweight structure, manufactured using a mix of aluminum, and MDF components, balances structural integrity with cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for educational, research, and light industrial applications. Furthermore, the integrated MATLAB application provides a user-friendly interface for controlling the arm in real-time, with robust waypoint management and error detection capabilities. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed design offers a scalable and adaptable solution for a variety of pick-and-place operations, paving the way for future integration with vision systems and advanced machine learning algorithms to further enhance performance.