Design and Implementation of a 3D-Printed Robotics Manipulator for Object Detection and Grasping

This paper presents the design and implementation of a 3D-printed robotic manipulator tailored mainly for object detection and grasping. The robot is constructed with PLA material using a known design framework; it is not unique but reliable enough to form a base for testing and exploration. The manipulator is fitted with servo motors for the movement of the joints, and the gripper serves as an end effector, which aids in holding objects of several shapes. The Arduino Uno controls the servo motors to provide precise and speedy movements. An overhead camera takes real-time pictures of the environment to enable the manipulator to identify objects more efficiently. These images are then processed to identify and locate objects correctly within the manipulator's workspace. The integration of the camera with the robotic system allows for dynamism in adjustments and decisions related to grasping tasks in real-time. In this paper, research is done to comprehensively study the performance of the manipulator in detecting and grasping objects. Extensive testing was conducted to test efficiency, accuracy, and reliability under different scenarios. The research also goes on to define the workspace of the robotic manipulator by providing a limit on its workspace, indicating the maximum and minimum reach of the manipulator. That is very important for understanding the capabilities and limitations of the manipulator in order to clearly define its practical applications. Conclusively, this study opened up possibilities for 3D-printed robotic systems in automated handling of an object. It forms a basis for further improvement of the manipulator's operation in robot manipulation and control technologies. Critical review of the manipulator's design, construction, and performance contributes to existing knowledge in robotics, besides underpinning the versatility of such 3D-printed robotic solutions.