A deep understanding of robotic mechanisms is paramount as it enables the creation of innovative and unique robotic designs. If you understand the interplay of components, you can fully optimize your robot’s performance, efficiency, and cost.

By mastering these principles of mechanisms, robotics engineers can create groundbreaking solutions. Hence, to develop an innate understanding of robotics mechanisms and preparing children for the up-and-coming revolution, learning how to build their mechanisms goes a long way.

Let us dive deep into the various mechanisms that exist and the possibility of making your own!

Robotics Mechanisms for Competition

Robotics is the branch of engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots are built to facilitate complex tasks that are difficult for humans to perform. Robotics in education allows children to get familiarized with technology and foster a passion for STEM fields. 

A robotics mechanism is a physical structure that enables the robot to move and interact with its environment. It is made up of components like links, joints, castings, bearings, slides, etc.  Pick and Place Robots, for example, have become an integral part of many industries like food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries.

Basic Mechanisms

A linkage is simply a system of connected parts that work together to achieve a specific movement. In this case, it will be your robot. The link may also consist of one or more resistant bodies. Resistant bodies in a link are components that resist the motion of the link.

Here are some examples of basic linkage mechanisms:

     1. Corner Linkage Mechanism

This is made by aligning the holes on the end of two wooden strips and fixing it with a lock nut called the Revolute Joint. This basic mechanism of robots is found in folding furniture and steering systems, (connecting your car steering wheel to the front wheels of your car).

      2. Cross Linkage Mechanism

This is made by aligning the central holes of two wooden strips and fixing them with a lock nut. Some examples including this mechanism at work would include a pair of scissors,  excavator arms, and tractor implements.

      3. Parallel Linkage Mechanism

This is made by aligning the ends of four wooden strips in a closed rectangular figure. The shorter strips were placed on top of the longer ones and secured with a lock nut. This mechanism finds its uses in tool boxes, make-up boxes, and sewing boxes which contain multiple shelves and need to be held horizontally.

Advanced Mechanisms

There are three complex mechanisms that fall in this category: 

     1. Pick and Place mechanisms

The Pick and place mechanism is specifically designed to handle and manipulate objects.

You can find this mechanism at work in assembly lines, logistics and warehouses. They are employed to perform repetitive tasks such as picking items from one location and placing them in another.

 2. Gripper Mechanism

The Gripper mechanism is designed to transport objects. It works like an extension of the robotic arm. You will find these grippers at work in industries that demand minimal contact and precise positioning of the object. This includes the food industry (packaging), printing, and the production of electronics.

     3. Scissor Mechanism

The Scissor mechanism is a mechanical linkage system designed to make a vertical motion or extension. It is an assembly of interconnected, folding supports that look like a pair of scissors. You can make this by combining the two ‘linkage cross joints’ and ‘linkage corner joints’. 

This mechanism has wide applications ranging from your computer keyboard to scissor lifts on construction sites. 

Building Robotic Mechanisms using Quarky Creator’s Kit to Power-Up Your Robot

Quarky Robotics Creator’s Kit is devised to boost your robot’s efficiency and qualities on the battlefield. This kit makes it easy for the maker to create and customize their robot with powerful mechanisms and linkages that allow you to design and build agile, precision-driven robots that are ready to take on any challenge. You can make any type of robot from basic to advanced level.

Quarky is the brain behind the Quarky Creator’s Kit. It is the robot companion created and powered by STEMpedia to teach children about robotics, AI and Coding. All variants of the Quarky Robotics Kit come with its own set of online courses. Quarky is programmed using PictoBlox– a block-based coding and python programming software that teaches Coding and AI to children.

You can download PictoBlox here.

Gaining Competitive Advantage with Quarky Creator’s Kit

Customization is key to unleashing the full potential of your creative abilities into your robot, building not just a tool but a perfect adaptive partner tailored to your specific needs. The Creator’s Kit contains 100+ robot configurations. We have also curated an Online learning course for you that allows you to build on concepts of robotics mechanisms and use a wide range of electronic, mechanical and construction parts. This course can be accessed through the QR code in the printed component list that will direct you to the website

• The kit also comes with high-speed speed motors that make your Quarky robot 3x faster.
• The Creator’s Kit also offers multiple IR sensors that can be used for advanced line-following abilities.

You can also train objects for machine learning. The Creator’s Kit comes with the two-game objects of Track 2’s Challenge for training the Machine Learning Model required for Codeavour 6.0 International.

This kit also comes with  a DIY Learning Course that is accessible through the QR code on the component list to gradually build advanced prowess with robotics!

Conclusion

By understanding and applying robotics mechanisms, you can elevate your robotic creations to new heights. The Quarky Creator’s Kit provides the tools and resources to explore these concepts and bring your innovative ideas to life. With this knowledge and practical experience, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle future challenges and contribute to the exciting world of robotics.

So, what are you waiting for?

Explore the Quarky Creator’s Kit and start building your own robots today!