With a mini project designing a cycloidal drive using bearings, I wanted to put it to use in a larger project. I decided to design a 4-DoF cobot that would be driven by smaller versions of these cycloidal drives. I planned to use NEMA 17 motors for the joints and 3D print the majority of structural components.
I started out by conducting calculations on torque, on the required torque on each joint, based on the motor weight and the estimated weight of structural components. This provided me with weight and length goals for each joint and ensured the joints could be driven with minimal backdrive and that enough torque could be generated to lift its weight and a payload.
I first started by designing the cycloidal drive used for the joints. I also created a rough CAD design to verify geometry and obtain a form factor for the joints. This joint form factor provided dimensions required for the cycloidal drive.
19:1 reduction ratio
Overall diameter = 70 mm, including wall thickness
Roller radius = 29 mm
Roller pin radius = 2.4 mm
Eccentricity = 1.2 mm
Width = 40 mm
These parameters were once again verified using the Desmos program used in Cycloidal Gear Design (WIP) (https://www.desmos.com/calculator/eqcjxzrkjv)
Rough CAD for Geometry Verification
Motion Analysis Result
I utilized the same process from my previous project to design the cycloidal drive. Several changes to my cycloidal gear design were made.
Instead of bearings, bushings were used on the output disk
I relied on a more robust system where the output disks were stationary in relation to the joint it was sitting on
The arm has roller pins essentially embedded into the structure, which increases ease of assembly
Using these new changes, I built and ran a motion analysis on the new cycloidal drive. It successfully showed the arm rotating.