🔄Rotary Module

📅Update: 2021/01/30

🧙♂ Tips: Upgrade DexArm's firmware to V2.2.2 and above before using the rotary module.

The rotary module allows you to turn your DexArm into a 4-DOF robot arm. It's designed for makers and DIYers with many great features. The built-in 12V coreless motor and reducers design brings up to 500g payload capacity.

The universal adapter design makes it easy to switch between soft gripper, suction cup module. The 360-degree air connector design allows you to pick and rotate items without twisting the air tube.

We are still working on upgrading the Rotrics Studio software to control the rotary module. Before that, it's recommended to use G-code commands to control the rotary module.

Table of Contents

🧙♂ Tips: You can also click the TOP RIGHT table of contents to read the corresponding section​ 👉

1) First use set-up

2) G-code commands for Rotary Module

3) Start picking and placing

4) Integrate Rotary Module into your projects

1. First use set-up

1.1 Part List

1.2 Rotary Air Pick Module

1.2.1 Assemble Rotary Air Pick Module

1.2.1 Connect with Air Pump Box

1.3 Rotary Soft Gripper Module

1.3.1 Assemble Rotary Soft Gripper Module

1.3.2 Assemble pressure-limiting value

Use two short air tubes in the OLD pneumatic kit to connect the T-shaped air connector.

1.3.3 Connect with Air Pump Box

2. G-code commands for Rotary Module

2.1 Initialize

  • M888 P6 - Set the current end effector as a rotary module and initialize it

  • M2100 - Initialize the rotary module every time DexArm restarts

  • M2103 - Read the current rotary firmware version. The factory version is V1.1.2.

2.2 Read position

  • M2101 - Read the current rotary position

2.3 Relative rotating

  • M2101 R<n>

Rotate n degrees in the clockwise direction

  • M2101 R<n>

Rotate n degrees in the counterclockwise direction

n is a floating number and it could be more than 360. Such as M2101 R1080 stand for rotating 3 turns in the clockwise direction.

2.4 Absolute rotating

  • M2101 P<n>

Rotate to position n degree.

n is a floating number between 0 and 360.

2.5 Continuous rotating

  • M2101 S<n>

Continuously rotating in the clockwise direction at speed n.

  • M2101 S<n>

Continuously rotating in the counterclockwise direction at speed n.

n is a number between 0 and 100. 0 for stopping and 100 for the highest speed.

3. Start picking and placing

After assembling, connect DexArm with Rotrics Studio and open Terminal. Send the G-code commends above to control rotary module.

Or you can write a G-code program and upload it to Rotrics Studio. Make sure you've initialized the rotary module every time before using it.

We are working on adding the rotary module to the Rotrics Studio software and it will be released in the near future.

4. Integrate Rotary Module into your projects

Basically, the rotary module is a high-level servo motor. We've released the 5-pin end effector port for you to DIY your own rotary module for your projects.

Welcome to share your projects with the community! For any questions, please submit a post on community.rotrics.com or email us at support@rotrics.com.