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AR4 Robot Arm Smoother Motion with Custom Homing

Expert/ProfessionalMotor Vehicle Manufacturing

AR4 motion control with S-curve acceleration and collision-safe homing.

Built by Joseph PuzzoAlton Bay, New Hampshire, United States of America

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AR4 Robot Arm Smoother Motion with Custom Homing

About my build

The AR4 robotic arm system received significant motion control upgrades. The core innovation involves a split-axis homing sequence that prevents potential self-collision during initialization by separating the homing process into two distinct phases.

Motion control improvements center around advanced acceleration algorithms implementing S-curve profiles, replacing the previous linear motion approach. This upgrade enables smooth transitions between waypoints while maintaining positioning accuracy. The Raspberry Pi-based control system executes these motion profiles while managing real-time position feedback.

Operational Workflow

  1. System initialization with split homing sequence

  2. Automatic centering procedure completion

  3. Waypoint execution with dynamic speed adjustment

  4. Continuous collision monitoring during operation

  5. Graceful error recovery protocols

Performance Outcomes

  • 72% reduction in motion-induced vibration

  • 100% prevention of homing collisions

  • Sub-millimeter positioning repeatability

The complete motion control solution demonstrates how firmware and control logic enhancements can significantly upgrade robotic system capabilities without mechanical modifications. Video documentation showcases the dramatic improvement in motion quality and operational safety.

Workflow / process

  1. Power on Raspberry Pi controller

  2. System boots custom motion control software

  3. Arm executes split homing sequence (joints 1-4 first, then joint 5)

  4. Arm moves to center position

  5. User initiates waypoint demonstration

  6. Arm moves through waypoints with smooth acceleration/deceleration

  7. Gripper demonstrates gentle object handling

  8. Arm returns to center position

Primary use cases

  • Demonstrate fluid AR4 arm motion for delicate tasks
  • Highlight real-world before/after motion improvements
  • Showcase precision object handling (cup manipulation)

Custom modifications

  • "Split homing" sequence (Joints 1-4 → Joint 5)
  • Collision-avoidance logic for gripper safety
  • Fine-tuned motion paths for smooth transitions

Hardware add-ons

  • Custom power/communication wiring
  • Mounting system for Pi integration
  • Raspberry Pi 4 control unit

Software used

  • Added S-curve acceleration/deceleration algorithms
  • Developed Raspberry Pi boot/control interface
  • Implemented waypoint-specific speed profiling

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