LITTLEBOTS ARDUINO KITS
  • Store
    • LittleArm V3
    • Buddy Social Robot
    • LittleArm 2C
    • LittleArm BIG
    • LittleBot Budget
    • Robot Parts
    • Our Old Kits >
      • Walker Biped
      • LittleArm Original
      • LittleBot
      • Critter
      • Waterbot
  • Resources
    • Youtube Channel
    • Our Instructables
    • Downloads >
      • LittleBot Budget Codes
      • All LittleBots Software Downloads
    • Tutorials >
      • Buddy Setup
      • Budget Example Projects
    • Troubleshooting
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog

Blog

From a Maker Project to a Technology Business

11/13/2016

22 Comments

 
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.
Picture
A Few LittleArms waiting to be delivered
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.
Picture
22 Comments
essays papers link
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
view browsing history windows 10 link
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
Technology link
3/11/2017 09:49:25 pm

Nice knowledge gaining article. This post is really the best on this valuable topic.

Reply
local internet marketing company link
7/17/2017 03:38:07 pm

So kindly update this ever for us.

Reply
appraisers in glendale link
8/18/2017 11:46:36 pm


Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it.

Reply
Change My Software 8 Edition V1.179 Rar Download link
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
Marketing Consultancy link
10/11/2017 04:45:32 am


Thank you for helping people get the information they need. Great stuff as usual. Keep up the great work!!!

Reply
post free ads link
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
Register company in wyoming link
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
companies house hong kong link
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
poker bots link
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
satellite internet link
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
task management online link
4/4/2018 04:51:21 am

Thankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo.

Reply
druk 3d link
4/15/2018 04:40:23 am

Choosing a large format printer doesn't have to be complex if you know exactly what to look out for. To help you select the best large format printer to suit your need and budget consider the following 9 brief points.

Reply
astronomy news link
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
visit website link
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
houstonvolunteer link
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
mrrighthouston link
6/5/2018 04:24:56 am

Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer!..

Reply
business directory Africa link
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
Cloud computing link
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
Booth Scotland link
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
https://techalook.com link
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.

    Visit the Store

    Archives

    November 2020
    September 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    RSS Feed

Products

LittleArm Original
LittleArm 2C
LittleArm Big
LittleBot Budget
​Walker Biped
Critter
Waterb ot

Business

About
The Company
Blog

Resources

Contact
Tutorials
Downloads

© COPYRIGHT 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Store
    • LittleArm V3
    • Buddy Social Robot
    • LittleArm 2C
    • LittleArm BIG
    • LittleBot Budget
    • Robot Parts
    • Our Old Kits >
      • Walker Biped
      • LittleArm Original
      • LittleBot
      • Critter
      • Waterbot
  • Resources
    • Youtube Channel
    • Our Instructables
    • Downloads >
      • LittleBot Budget Codes
      • All LittleBots Software Downloads
    • Tutorials >
      • Buddy Setup
      • Budget Example Projects
    • Troubleshooting
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog