The Design and Analysis of a Lightweight Robotic Arm Based on a Load-Adaptive Hoisting Mechanism

Abstract

This paper presents the design and control of a lightweight three degrees of freedom robotic arm based on a load-adaptive hoisting mechanism. The proposed design integrates a spring-loaded rope and a variable radius reel into the gripper, enabling efficient load adaptability with minimal structural complexity. By leveraging this mechanism, the robotic arm achieves significant weight reduction while maintaining robust performance under variable payloads. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of the system’s kinematics and dynamics, focusing on the interaction between the adaptive gripper and the arm structure. A prototype of the robotic arm was developed and experimentally tested to validate its functionality.