AX-12 Robotic Arm FAQs
There are many advantages; the two major advantages of the AX-12+ Smart Robotic Arm over other RC servo based robotic arms.
- User configurable auto shutdown.
- Real time position, load, speed, voltage, and temperature status feedback.
An AX-12 will shut shutdown in the event of overheating, over loading or out of range voltage levels. A standard off-the-shelf RC servo will simply fail or burn up which increases your robot arm maintenance costs. Secondly, servo communication is unidirectional. Servos receive an analog PWM signal then move to the requested position. There is no way to determine if the servo actually completed the move.
Visit the Advantages page for more information.
Yes, the AX-12 Smart Arm can be programmed in C/C++ or any high level language. First, you need to understand what you're programming though. The AX-12 Smart Arm is made up of four basic components.
- Rigid body (link) system - Aluminum brackets that make up the arm's structure.
- Position and response system - Dynamixel AX-12 servos and 1/2 duplex 1M pbs serial bus.
- Middleware controller - Embedded software and physical bridge to the AX-12 bus possibly from another device like a PC.
- High level or PC control - software running on a PC.
Most smart arm developers are programming a PC to control the robotic arm. The PC is connected to the middleware controller component that provides access to the AX-12 serial bus. Your code needs to open a connection then send and receive properly formatting Dynamixel AX-12 packets. USB2Dynamixel SDK located on the resource page includes source and example C/C++, Matlab, Labview, Visual Studio, VB.NET, C#, Java, and Python code. The SDK allows a developer to communicate with single or multiple AX-12s through the USB2Dynamixel or Propeller running DynaBus embedded. The SDK does NOT contain methods to control the robot arm in 3D space. You'll need to write you're own C\C++ application. The resource page does contains VB.NET and C# APIs, libraries, and programming demos for the AX-12 Smart Arm.
If you're an embedded programmer the only kit that can be programmed in C is the CM-5. The CM-5 contains an Atmel128 programmed for use with the Behavioral Programmer, Motion Editor, and Robot Terminal. Only seasoned programmers should extend the CM-5 embedded application.
Yes, the AX-12 Smart Arm is compatible with Matlab, LabView, VB.NET, C#, Python, and Java. The resource page contains a link for the USB2Dynamixel SDK. The SDK contains Matlab, LabView, VB.NET, C#, Python, and Java coding examples for sending properly formatted Dynamixel AX-12 commands to a USB2Dynamixel or Propeller middleware controller. See FAQ "2. Can I program the AX-12 in C/C++?" for more information.
CrustCrawler has complete open source robotic arm control software for VB.NET and C#. You can find community member contributions on our public forums
A 5A+ 7-10V power supply is ideal. The resource page contains several PDFs that address connecting to and powering the AX-12 serial bus.
See the accessories page for robotic arm power supply and power harness options.
We are in the process of testing time between maintenance using CrustCrawler's AX-12 Robot Arm Test Drive application. The test drive application allows anyone with an internet connection to control the Smart Arm through an interactive web page. The application is available ~16 hours a day and receives anywhere form 200 to 400 commands a day. The application was implemented October 2008. No maintenance has been required to date.
Not to worry; please ask your question on CrustCrawler's community forum. We'll be adding more FAQs soon.