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The 10 Coolest DIY 3D Printable Robotic Arm Projects

Exploring 3D printing robotics is easier and cheaper than ever before, so there is no excuse not to give it a go. Having said that, it takes a lot of time and practice to become an expert. While you might not be ready to build a Terminator in your bedroom, 3D printing robotic arms is an excellent starting point for enthusiasts.

Easily programmable, with fewer moving parts and simple functions, robotic arms are an accessible entry-level sector in 3D printing robotics.

That being said, the current state of print-at-home robotics is nothing close to I-Robot. Robotic arms are little more than controllable or programmable pick-and-place tools right now.

But, there is plenty of cutting-edge technology here to whet anyone’s appetite. And many are open source, so anyone can download the files and have a go at printing themselves. They are a fantastic tool for anyone interested in robotics to teach themselves about robotics, and impress your friends.

1. LittleArm- The Entry Level

As the name suggests, LittleArm is the smallest, most simplistic, and easiest to print of all the robotic arms on this list. But that does not make it totally useless. Crucially, it is that simplicity that makes it so useful.

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Everybody has to start somewhere, especially in 3D printing, and LittleArm is the ideal entry level project to get you hooked on 3D printed robotics. With only 3 degrees of freedom, meaning 3 points of movement on the arm, it is very easy to understand, both when 3D printing and programming.

With little more than a 2C motor and a roll of PLA filament, you can construct the 31 parts needed to build this rugged and flexible arm that can be assembled in less than an hour. Just like David against Goliath, don’t write off the little guy just yet.

2.

 EEZYbotARM MK3: The Second Base

The EEZYbotARM is an ever-evolving 3D printing project that is currently on its third form. Developed by Carlo Franciscone, an engineer from the Novara, Italy, the EEZYbotARM is a slight step up in complexity from LittleArm.

The main enhancement is its 4 directions of freedom, with a rotating base, 2-finger gripper, and a pivot in the arm that allows it to bend. While it doesn’t have the strength to handle a significant payload, it’s definitely a project worth using as an experiment.

The MK3’s design is very similar to its original. The MK2 was created to be a little larger and stronger than its predecessor, but the MK3 returns to the smaller design, with a focus on cheaper motors and construction costs. It was made using ABS, but PLA is also very possible.

If you are looking to try something a little more physically impressive, the MK2 is the clear choice. But when focusing on the accessibility of 3D printable robotic arms, the EEZYbotARM MK3 is your best bet. Image credit: Eezybotarm

3. MeArm: The Everyman 3D Printed Robotic Arm

Hailing from United Kingdom, MeArm is the 3D printed robotic arm project that can cater to anyone. The kits are available to buy on Amazon if you didn’t feel like printing it yourself, but you can also access all the open-source files you need. You can even use a laser cutter if you don’t have a 3D printer to hand.

The MeArm is intended to be easy and fun, with an array of different color schemes. The parts are deliberately simple and easy to fit together. And on top of all that, it comes with a healthy choice of control options for whatever tools you have available.

Want to control the arm using joysticks? MeArm has kits for Arduino and Raspberry Pi, as well as many more. Want to pre-program the arm? There’s a BBC micro:bit kit compatible with Microsoft Make Code. Do you have your own controller you prefer using? You can just get a MeArm without any add-ons. Whatever you need, they have you covered.

4. Instructables 3D Printed Robot Arm

This is where the scale and intricacy start to rise. The Instructables Workshop has featured lots of amazing 3D printing projects over the years, with a library big enough to have something for everyone. And their 3D printed robot arm is as grand as it is cool.

With circuitry that can be purchased from any good electronics store or wholesaler, the 3D printed arm is a great example of progression for hobbyists or professionals looking to hone their skills. A full list of materials and components, as well as a useful step-by-step guide, can be found on their website.

Its compact control base makes operation incredibly easy, and all the parts snap together for handy assembly that is surprising fast for an arm of this size. Once you get the basics right, this is the best next step.

5. Kauda Robotic Arm

While a lot of the more advanced 3D printing robotics projects are designed for educational purposes, the Kauda robotic arm is the most widely accessible. Its smaller size means that it is a handy teaching tool for computing students of all ages and abilities.

While Giovanni Lerda’s bulky and more classic design isn’t to everyone’s aesthetic taste, it makes visually understanding the mechanism much easier, vital for younger students. And its small, desktop scale make it an ideal and affordable tool for classrooms across the world.

Computing is fast becoming one of the most important subjects at schools as technology evolves at breakneck pace. Children will increasingly become reliant on education into programming. Few robotics projects on the market today can rival Kauda for ease of access, and it is all made possible by 3D printing.

6. How To Mechatronics’ Robotic Arm

A big way to enhance these 3D printed robotic arm projects is to integrate technology that everyone has access to. With that in mind, online engineering site How To Mechatronics have created a controllable 3D printed robotic arm that is operated by a self-designed smartphone app.

The custom android app can be connected via Bluetooth to a node built into the arm, and the user can control the robot using a series of sliders. While the app is not available to download from any store, they do break down how it works and encourage others to recreate its functions and features.

With 3 pivot points, the arm itself is extremely flexible and responsive, making the arm more dexterous and precise. This gives the arm a wider range of industrial applications when the technology becomes more ubiquitous.

And the guide on how to make it is very detailed, walking you through every step carefully. Combining the advanced technology of 3D printed robots with the everyday technology we all have at our disposal is a significant step forward for the industry.

7. Zortrax 3D Printed Robotic Arm

Polish manufacturer Zortrax has developed a 3D printed robotic design with perhaps one of the sleekest and most attractive designs around. It is one to drop anyone’s jaw. The concept art produced looks beautiful, and the files to recreate the design are available to all.

But the Zoftrax 3D printed robotic arm isn’t just a pretty face. It also has a range of useful applications. The design’s 5 degrees of freedom make it as flexible as the best on the market, and the hand at the end is designed to be replaceable with tools like screwdrivers, drills, wrenches, or electromagnets. This makes it a valuable tool for mechanics and construction companies.

The boundless possibilities of this arm through its range of attachable tools make it a very exciting project, and one to keep an eye on as the developers no doubt work on its evolution.

8. Roboteurs RBX1

Technology companies are always looking to go that one step further with their projects. One more turbocharger, one more processor, one more centimeter. It’s no surprise then to see the Roboteurs RBX1, the first 3D printed 6-axis robotic arm.

At this point, there are few practical applications of an arm this complex, other than impressing yourself and anyone else who is interested. But while it may be on the sillier end of the spectrum in that regard, there is a lot here to be excited about.

Roboteurs sell their construction kits online for a modest price considering the level of technology involved. It is one of the only 3D printable robotic arms that require no external machined components, with everything needed provided in the kit.

It is also extremely easy to operate. It is compatible with the most common operating software, and photos provided on their website even feature an Xbox controller! If a 12-year-old Fortnite player could handle this machine, so can you.

9. Haddington Dynamics Robotic Arm

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Haddington Dynamics have developed the Mark Henry of 3D printable robot arms. Previous attempts to create a robot arm, affectionately named ‘Dexter,’ using PLA were too weak for HD’s liking. However, after one customer’s advice, and in collaboration with NASA, they began using a Markforged printer.

This allowed them to redesign the robot and begin using carbon fiber, reducing the number of parts from 800 to just 70. The result was a much larger and more robust design with fewer joining points between components that drastically increased its payload weight. The current iteration has a reach of 770mm, and can lift objects as heavy as 3 kilograms.

That might not sound like a lot in the grand scheme of things, but in the world of 3D printed robotic arms, that much weight would put Atlas to shame.Image credit: Markforged.

10. BCN3D MOVEO- The King

The BCN3D MOVEO is one of the best and most well-rounded 3D printed robotic arms projects around. The biggest reason is that it incorporates all of the features we’ve mentioned here into one machine.

Developed at the Departament d’Ensenyament from the Generalitat de Catalunya in Spain, it was originally designed with education in mind, currently used in 15 different institutes around Catalonia as an educational tool. It has a flexible 5-axis construction with an attractive design, and while it is not capable of extreme weightlifting, it is comparable in function with any of its similar peers.

This pick-and-place device is among the most advanced all-round machines in the industry, with the express purpose of being accessible to anyone. It’ll take a lot of expertise to make your own, but there are few more promising devices around for robotics enthusiasts.

Other fun 3D printing project articles:

  • Coolest 3D printer projects
  • Beginner 3D printer projects
  • 3D printer projects for engineers
  • Robotic arm 3D printer projects

The Top Robotic Arm 3D Printing Solutions

3D printing news News What Are the Robotic Arm 3D Printing Solutions on the Market?

Published on October 14, 2022 by Claire S.

One of the trends we have increasingly seen as additive manufacturing industrializes is an increased focus on large-format additive manufacturing. Though this can of course be achieved with large machines, notably those using FDM, robotic arms offer a number of advantages for users. Robotic arms allow not just for large-scale printing thanks to the long reach of the arms, but also more freedom thanks their multiple axes as well as the fact that the resulting parts often do not require support structures. Though there are only a handful of manufacturers who create the robotic arms, they have been adapted by 3D printing manufacturers for both polymer and metal AM solutions. In the following list, in no particular order, we take a closer look at what is currently on the market, both for original arms and adapted solutions.

Original Robotic Arms Manufacturers

KUKA

The German company KUKA is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the automation market, offering robots that enable the electronics, automotive and healthcare industries to simplify their manufacturing processes. KUKA develops solutions that can be adapted for additive manufacturing. It is therefore not surprising to find the KUKA brand on many robotic 3D printers, whether for designing metal, plastic or even concrete parts. One example is the KR QUANTEC line of robotic arms, which offers machines with a reach of 2,671 to 3,904 mm and a load capacity of 120 to 300 kilos.

The KR QUANTEC arm was equipped with a nozzle to extrude concrete for the Besix3D company (photo credits: KUKA)

ABB

ABB group is a multinational company which produces robotic arms, including those used for 3D printing. Their robotics portfolio is diverse with different types of industrial robots to fulfil consumer needs.Their RobotStudio® programme is the world’s most popular offline programming and simulation tool for robotic applications. According to the company, with its solution, users can unlock flexibility and upgrade their business productivity to the next level. They are even able to design robots to suit their own unique needs, notably in additive manufacturing. As you will see further down the list, ABB six axis industrial robot is used by Massive Dimension, a company which works on sustainable development in the 3D printing industry.

 

Massive Dimension and ABB Additive Manufacturing Demonstration at IMTS 2022. (Photo credit: Massive Dimension)

Comau

Comau is an Italian industrial automation and robotics company. The company develops systems, products and services compatible with Industry 4.0. In particular, its portfolio includes a complete family of robots, including robotic arm solutions. Since 1978, Comau has been manufacturing these machines with the aim of integrating and improving innovative applications in all industrial sectors. There are several robotic arms, and they differ in their payload capacities. Still, they leverage IoT and AI technology to operate autonomously.

Third Party 3D Printing Companies Using These Solutions

CEAD

CEAD is a Dutch company based in Delf that develops large-scale 3D printers. This company stands out as it offers robot-based solutions that combine printing and CNC milling processes in one process. Another solution is the AM Flexbot, a robot-based solution for large-scale 3D printing. Siemens Sinumerik controllers are responsible for controlling the Comau robot arm, thus not requiring any robot controller. This controller can control 31 axes at the same time as it moves along its path. Your AM Flexbot can be expanded with additional functions such as a rotary table, additional robots, or other production processes such as CNC milling. It is the perfect choice for a customized solution with a specific application.

 

DXR Series from Weber Additive

German company Weber Additive, dedicated to the development of different manufacturing technologies, also has robotic arm solutions for 3D printing. Weber’s DXR robotic system features a high-quality extruder capable of 3D printing. The extruder is powered by a 6-axis industrial robot that allows it to move precisely. Its robotic arm based on the manufacturer Kuka and its AE series extruders are adapted to the needs of its customers to provide the most optimal results. These systems offer great advantages, such as 3D printing with 6-axis kinematics, a variable angle of the manufacturing head or overprinting on existing parts, among others. You can take a look at the solution in the video below:

 

The robotic arm from Hyperion Robotics

Founded in 2019 in Helsinki, Hyperion Robotics is a company specializing in the construction industry. It uses additive manufacturing to design more affordable structures, wanting to make the market more sustainable and most importantly, more automated. To do this, it relies on KUKA robots on which it mounts an extruder capable of depositing Hyperion Robotics’ material. This is a special concrete mix that uses a reduced amount of cement thanks to recycled waste components. It also designed its own software that allows it to work with any robot. In terms of applications, the Finnish company has already built decorative elements, structures imitating coral reefs and energy infrastructures.

Photo credits: Hyperion Robotics

Massive Dimension

Massive Dimension, as their name undoubtedly suggests, is a manufacturer of large format 3D extruders and full solutions, including turnkey robotic printing cells. Specifically, the company was founded with the goal of contributing to sustainable solutions in order to reduce waste on the planet. Currently, Massive Dimension’s solutions are centered around polymer pellet 3D printing. For their robotic cells, they include six-axis industrial robotic arms from ABB. When combined with the ABB 3D Printing Powerpac software, users have access to a comprehensible workflow for pellet 3D printing. The company notes that their robotic arms have been custom-tailored for robotic printing, including large format printing thanks to a build volume of 3ft x 5ft x 5ft. Moreover, these cells can also be further customized to fit each user’s individual needs.

Massive Dimension

Orbital Composites 

Orbital Composites aims to disrupt the 3D printing industry. They believe that robotics is the answer to the limitations faced by the industry, such as scale, speed, strength and design. Their Orbital S, the first robotic 3D printer built for industrial scale, was released to tackle these problems. The impressive robot has a maximum speed of 2m/s, has a maximum payload of 10kg and a maximum reach of 1.1m. The build platform is 1m x 1m x 1m, giving the ability to create relatively large end use parts. Furthermore, the user has a choice of materials. It uses the Kuka KR10 R1100 robot arm; Kuka is an official partner of the company. 

Orbital Composites’ Orbital S robotic 3D printer. Photo Credit: Orbital Composites

Dyze Design et Pulsar

Pulsar is a state-of-the-art, large-scale, high-speed plastic pellet extruder. It was designed with one goal in mind: to 3D print large parts as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Pulsar is compatible with robotic arms for 3D printing and is capable of producing up to 500 mm3/s (2.5 kg/h) of material. It can also be used with large nozzles from 1.00 mm to 5.00 mm. Finally, Pulsar is ready for all environmental conditions. The water cooling loop ensures that the entire system is at a constant temperature. With an additional heat shield, Pulsar can withstand a 200°C environment. This makes the machine compatible with plastic materials such as PEEK, Ultem and PSU.

 

Branch Technology

This company combines additive manufacturing, prefabrication and digital technology on a large scale. Thanks to their patented technology, it allows the team of designers and architects to imagine, compose and finally build those structures that were previously impossible with traditional construction methods. One example of a project they have carried out is in the construction of a 3D printed pavilion in which they have used KUKA robotic technology. The combination of robots with 3D printing has enabled the architects and designers from Gould Turnes Group with whom they have collaborated to not only tackle the construction of the final structure but the design process from start to finish. The 3D printing process applied to the KUKA robots is a great combination as it allows the production of precise, lightweight and cost-effective components from a variety of materials.

MX3D 

At this point, if you are interested in WAAM technology, you have almost certainly heard of MX3D. The Dutch company made waves for its creation of an entirely 3D printed, metal bridge which is currently located in the center of Amsterdam. This among other large-scale metal 3D printing feats has made them a popular choice in many sectors. And the company uses robotic arms for its solutions. More specifically, MX3D uses an 8-axis ABB industrial robotics system in its M1 metal AM system, allowing for the creation of medium to large-scale metal parts. To ease the process, the company also offers MetalXL, a software that controls their WAAM-based systems, ensuring that the part is manufactured as intended, controlling everything from design through monitoring during the actual printing.

mx3D printer

Continuous Composites 

Continuous Composites was recently selected by NASA to produce low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) open isogrid composite structures for space applications, using its patented Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D) technology. This printer combines high performing composite materials with rapid curing thermoset resins. They say that this will demonstrate the printer’s capability to produce high quality and consistent printing, with excellent accuracy and precision. The printer is configurable and scalable and therefore can be applied to projects of various dimensions. They turned to Comau for their robotic arm needs.

A robotic 3D printer with Comau arm capable of producing thermoset objects with continuous carbon fiber (Photo credit: Continuous Composites)

 

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