In the summer of 2016 Gabe Bentz was shopping for an affordable robot arm to use to experiment with the Arduino. While there were a few arms out there. They were complicated mechanically and had very little functionality (most did not even have a gripper). So Gabe decided to build his own. With a couple of hours in Autodesk Inventor and a few servos Gabe soon created the prototype for the LittleArm, which his 3D printer spit out overnight. Also in that weekend, Gabe created a small python application for the arm, which allowed him to control it from a computer. He now had a miniature equivalent of most modern industrial robot arms. Gabe took the arm to several meet-ups and STEM classes that he presented at. The response was overwhelming. Teachers wanted kits for classes and makers wanted kits for the garage. Fortunately, the resources were available to meet the requests. Gabe ran a small product design company, Slant Concepts, that had the capabilities to produce the arms in low quantities. But the demand continued to grow. Finally it was decided to completely formalize the LittleArm. So Gabe and the team at Slant put the LittleArm on Kickstarter. The arm was fully funded within a week and after month the project had hit 250% of it goal. Today the LittleArm project has a dedicated farm of the 3D printers cranking out parts and a growing ecosystem of code and tutorials for teachers. The LittleArm itself is fully trainable. Much like industrial arms all the user has to do is move the arm to a few waypoints, record them, and then play them. The Arduino that controls the arm may also be reprogrammed from scratch. The overall architecture of the arm makes it ideal for a wide range of age and skill levels.
Gabe is excited the business has done so well. But he loves the ramifications of the design much more. “3D printing is highly underutilized as a process. It can create macroscopic structures that are superior to other materials or manufacturing techniques. The LittleArm is really special technologically because we have utilized the capabilities of 3D printing as no other product has. We don’t create molds because they simply would not work for the product.” Gabe sees the use of 3D printing as a process growing in the future due to its special capabilities and he hopes to lead that development with other products such as the LittleArm. Slant Concepts is also developing better 3D printers specifically for the manufacturing of 3D printed products. This is a great example of how a garage maker project has grown into a real technology product and company.
22 Comments
1/20/2017 01:24:27 am
You are really hard working and dedicated in your passion. I'm glad that I've stumbled upon your site. I also have some interest in robotics and engineering. I took computer engineering before and I believe that you have a profound knowledge in the field. I wish you the best of luck with your new journey and hope you all the luck for your future.
Reply
2/14/2017 01:35:37 am
As this is the time to do because this is the way of doing the things good and in better way so that you can make the most of the situation
Reply
3/11/2017 09:49:25 pm
Nice knowledge gaining article. This post is really the best on this valuable topic.
Reply
7/17/2017 03:38:07 pm
So kindly update this ever for us.
Reply
8/18/2017 11:46:36 pm
Reply
10/10/2017 05:38:40 am
Thanks for this wonderful article! hats off to your writing! great post with rich quality content! Very resourceful and informative! Keep posting! Would love to follow up on your upcoming future posts!
Reply
10/11/2017 04:45:32 am
Reply
10/11/2017 05:07:14 am
I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Reply
1/10/2018 08:24:06 am
When you form a Wyoming LLC or form a Wyoming Corporation, the law requires you to have aWyoming registered agent to accept important mail and legal documents on behalf of your companyat a Wyoming registered office physically located in the State of Wyoming.
Reply
1/11/2018 07:57:55 am
To simplify the process of setting up a limited company in Hong Kong, your application for company incorporation includes a simultaneous application for business registration.
Reply
3/8/2018 03:43:17 am
Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.
Reply
3/28/2018 12:02:44 pm
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Reply
4/4/2018 04:51:21 am
Thankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo.
Reply
4/18/2018 05:10:45 am
Thank you for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I have a venture that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.
Reply
5/15/2018 04:51:46 am
I was surfing net and fortunately came across this site and found very interesting stuff here. Its really fun to read. I enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.
Reply
5/31/2018 03:42:14 am
Very interesting blog. Alot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definately interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.
Reply
6/5/2018 04:24:56 am
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!..
Reply
6/9/2018 04:15:56 am
All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks
Reply
6/19/2018 10:03:51 am
Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!.
Reply
8/26/2018 06:12:33 am
technology by way of communication, training, hiring, retraining, stakeholder analysis and conscious keeping. Thus they can play complementary roles
Reply
8/26/2018 10:16:17 am
The age of modern day learning has arrived. It is no longer a matter of whether we want to integrate technology and education; it is a necessity
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2020
|