tecuser
Most of my failed projects come from me overstepping my bounds. This time around, I'm looking to purchase (not craft) the components I'm looking for.
I've been looking online to buy two "grippers" (claws?) that will be able to physically suspend a standard 3x3x3 Rubik's cube. The ability to rotate the cube will no doubt rely more on the servos I choose, which I'll do later. For now, the challenge is to find a gripper that can open approximately 3.5" or wider, support the weight of a standard cube and rotate on its base's axis.
This is the only contender thus far: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13174
Still, the above looks like it will be difficult to rotate on its base's axis, and simply doesn't feel like the right fit.
The most impressive I've seen thus far can be seen here (although they look custom made): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbMhfLkvzss Can anyone recommend any other options?
I wish I could help, but I just wanted to say that sounds like a cool project and I'm wishing you luck with your rubik bot :)
Also that video was mesmerizing, I like the action of those grippers - very efficient for their purpose.
You could build your own from servo City's Actobotics line, They have 4 styles and sizes of gripers and one that opens up to 4.20"
www.servocity.com/html/actoboticstm.html
www.servocity.com/html/standard_gripper_kit_b__637096.html#.VQers47F-T8
I would suggest looking at some of the Rubik' Cube Solvers out there and see what Gripper that THEY are using.
From what I have seen, they have many different types. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT robot Rubik's Cube® Solver seems to be the coolest that I have seen. It uses a little tray to hold the cube. It has a little mechanism that comes up and turns the cube over ONLY if the camera detects a certain color. While it is turning the cube over, the camera moves out of the way and then back again when it has finished rotating the cube.
to see the video, just do a YouTube Search.
NICE!
@dave-schulpius That's the same claw I have in my original post that I've been eye-balling. Looks like it's the only option if this is the direction I choose.
@MovieMaker I've found most are made with Lego and all have been impressive. For my purposes, I plan to redesign my approach for something more appropriate to my desired working time-frame and budget.
Will hopefully check back in this thread with progress!