AR Robot Builder

Michael

Templeton

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Industry:

printing

Company Name:

Downtown Digital

Job Title:

Professional/Technical

City:

Knoxville

State / Region:

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Automates unattended 3D printing with vision-guided plate handling

UC Davis AR4 + Bambu A1 Mini Automated Print Cell

Kevin Oghalai and the UC Davis MaSTeR Lab paired an Annin AR4 with a Bambu A1 Mini to run an unattended print cell. Vision uses ArUco markers so the arm can estimate locations, pull the print plate, scrape finished parts, and reseat the plate for the next cycle—fourteen successful prints over an eight-hour run for an IMECE 2026 submission. A strong education/research showcase of AR4 in a real automation loop.

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Automating book stacking in a production environment

AR4 Bookstacker

About my Build

So I started this journey about 8 months ago. My objective is to have a robot to place books into a box ready for shipment. I first got a little robot off of Amazon for 1000 bucks, it was maybe worth 100. I was able to get it to move a piece of paper from one location to another, so I knew I was onto something. After looking for something more stable, I happened upon Annin Robotics and the marvelous AR4. I spoke with my partner and ordered the kit and motor kit about 5 months ago.

It took a couple of weeks working in the evenings and 3d printing parts and the robot was built. I then watched the programing videos and went to work. I did run into several programming issues, I don’t know if these are limitations of the Annin software or not, but I can’t get past a couple of them. I have found workarounds for most, though draws out programming and now operation.

The bookstacker is now working it’s happy little claw off.

Workflow / Process

The robot auto calibrates, then positions itself in the ready location. When a book exits the printer and moves to cover an optical sensor, the claw closes and moves to stack the books into a bin.

My objective is to have 5 of these working to place the books into a box ready to ship.

Primary Use Cases

Industrial

Custom Modifications

Added custom gripper

Software Used

AR4 control system

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Loads a single slide into a cassette for scanning

Hans de Bruin AR4 Slide-to-Cassette Loader

Hans de Bruin (Ctrl-Alt-Dude) runs an Annin AR4 through a precision task: loading a single slide into a cassette for scanning. The orange AR4-branded cover and workshop instrumentation frame a real lab-style use case beyond generic demos. Strong application clip for the User Builds gallery from a distinct European maker.

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AR4 arm tests airflow from a Noctua fan.

Ken Son Annin AR4 First Run

Ken Son’s first run of an Annin AR4 tests airflow from a Noctua fan while the orange-and-white labeled arm moves on the bench. A classic commissioning moment from an independent builder—approachable proof that a completed AR4 can go from assembly to useful motion. Strong entry-level showcase for the User Builds hub.

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Vision-guided pick-and-place with a Logitech webcam on an Annin AR4.

Sami Sattanen AR4 Vision-Guided Pick Test

Sami Sattanen’s first AR4 vision test uses a Logitech webcam for pick-and-place on a cutting mat, with candid notes on perspective error and why a farther zoomed camera helps. Custom purple printed cable-management parts personalize a clear Annin AR4. Honest maker debugging content that helps others starting vision on the platform.

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Controlling an AR4 MK3 with Python for a chess robot.

AR4 MK3 Python Chess Robot Experiment

After the mechanical assembly series, Yaser Ali Husen shows higher-level use: driving the AR4 MK3 from Python in a chess-robot experiment. Strong software/education angle.

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Live-lab unboxing and early CAD tweaks on an AR4 MK4 kit.

Kat’s Lab AR4 MK4 Kit Build — Part 1

Kat’s Lab begins an AR4 MK4 build on stream/VOD—going through kit parts and making early CAD adjustments before deeper assembly. Useful for builders starting an MK4 kit. Distinct from Chris Annin’s official videos.

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AR4 MK3 identifies, sorts, and stacks mixed blocks.

AR4 MK3 Sort and Stack Demo

Lowrider4sd shows an AR4 MK3 performing identify → sort → stack on mixed blocks. Clean pick-and-place / object-sorting application clip demonstrating perception-plus-motion usefulness.

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Festive AR4 that hands out full-size Halloween chocolate bars.

Halloween AR4 Chocolate Bar Dispenser

dedoky put an AR4 to playful real-world use—dispensing full-size chocolate bars for Halloween. It’s a memorable community application that shows the arm outside the lab: event entertainment, timed handoffs, and a crowd-pleasing demo that still reads clearly as an Annin AR4.

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AR4 demo carefully moving a cup — precision handling.

RobotJS AR4 Cup Manipulation Demo

RobotJS runs an AR4 through a cup-moving demo that highlights smooth joint motion and end-effector control. The channel also covers AR4 acceleration tuning and JS-oriented robot control, making this a strong application clip for the User Builds gallery.

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