The 4-axis robotic arm MechaGrip is made for light-duty jobs like pick-and-place, experiments , or just sitting on your desk and looking stylish next to your keyboard. Imagine it as the result of combining a CNC machine, a 3D printer, and a claw machine to create something that genuinely functions.It is designed to be small, dependable, and functional, yet flexible enough to manage routine desktop duties. Although the MechaGrip is powered by a basic Arduino-based system, it provides clean, accurate movements in all four directions.Holding and helping with soldering tasks, such as holding wires and small components or assisting with part placement during assembly, is one of its primary functions. MechaGrip serves as your third hand when debugging circuits or creating something from scratch, making soldering more comfortable and consistent. Even though the electronics are simple, It is built with sufficient torque and range for meaningful interaction, and it is responsive and customizable. it looks fantastic in renders..
To put it simply, I made MechaGrip to hold the components I need to solder, like wires, tiny boards, sensors, and other parts that are just too difficult to move by hand. It is not made to lift heavy objects or work with large tools or parts. I didn't intend for it to be industrially strong or accurate, just stable and able to hold me while I worked on my electronics projects. More than a fully functional robotic arm, it looks like a flexible third hand. I'm definitely planning future upgrades, like stronger servos, better grip mechanisms, and maybe even a more sturdy base, to allow it to handle a little more demanding tasks in the future. But for now, it's perfect for what I need.
The arm has 4 degrees of freedom (base, shoulder, elbow, gripper) and is powered by 4x MG996R high-torque metal gear servos. I used a PCA9685 servo driver so your Arduino doesn’t get cooked by current draw.
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG996R Servo Motors | 4 | $8.00 | $32.00 | Amazon |
| PCA9685 Servo Driver | 1 | $14.95 | $14.95 | Adafruit |
| Arduino UNO R3 | 1 | $25.00 | $25.00 | Robocraze |
| M3 Nuts & Bolts Assortedrted | 1 | $5 | $5 | Amazon |
| SG90 Servo (Gripper) | 1 | $4.00 | $4.00 | Amazon |
| 5V 3A Power Supply | 1 | $10.00 | $10.00 | Amazon |
| Jumper Wires (Male-Female) | 1 | $5.74 | $5.74 | Amazon |
Total Cost: $100.69 USD
Just basic Arduino code with Servo.h and the PCA9685 library. Upload and run. i wanna run it using serial port, i just like serial more than a joystick which is too modern and doesnt feel like the manual old shitbox, i mean the serial port, the code is inside /firmware.
MIT. Basically, do whatever you want with it. Build it, sell it, remix it into something weird. Just don’t sue us if it punches you.