Robotics Tutorial | How to Build Robotic Arm with Dobot

If you are still figuring out how to run a robotic arm, this detailed robotics tutorial is for you. We will further outline the critical points of installing Dobot robotic arms using the MG400 collaborative robot. We will also provide some handy hints on how to build robotic arm. As installing robotic arms for various brands is almost the same, this guide will be a helpful hand not only for Dobot users but for those interested in robotics.

The Association for Advancing Automation states that in 2021, in comparison to 2020, there was an industrial robotic boom in the U.S., ordering 29,000 robots. It is a 37% increase during the same period in 2020. Considering this data, there is an ongoing demand for robots globally. Thus, there is a need to learn how to install and build robots in the modern world. 

Process of running Dobot robotic arm MG400:

1. Keep in mind Dobot Hardware

Those who start running a robotic arm have to know its basics. For example, MG400 consists of four joints compared to the CR series collaborative robot, having six joints. Also, turning on an emergency button and plugging all the Internet connections are crucial actions to support Dobot hardware.

However, we must not forget about the general structure of the MG400 robotic arm.

The collaborative robot work system consists of the robot body, robot control software, and robot operation software. DOBOT MG400 supports a direct connection with a computer, which is simple and easy to use. With the self-developed dynamic algorithm, one-handed teach-in and sensor-less collision detection ensure the safety of humans and machines working alongside. DOBOT MG400 has a repeated positioning accuracy of ± 0.05mm and a maximum load of 500g, combining the features of both industrial and collaborative robots.

2. Use DOBOT Studio software to code on MG400

DOBOT Studio is a multi-functional control software of Dobot robotic arms, enabling them to control their various types, ranging from educational to industrial purpose of use, including MG400, DOBOT Magician, DOBOT CR series, etc. The interface is easy to understand, helping users master the skills to build robotic arm.

It is free software, providing two options for users:

• adopting Blockly, or
• using LUA programming language. 

Blockly is the Dobot’s integrated system of building coding blocks. It does not require any knowledge of coding. 

The second option of applying the LUA programming language is for experienced programmers. It will require specific knowledge of LUA coding. 

Another alternative if you want to use other programming languages such as Python, C, C++ is that you can use your platform to program. There are vast options for programming creativity with Dobot collaborative robots. 

3. Connect robotic hardware to a laptop using Internet protocols

Internet protocols, such as TCP/IP, Modbus, and IO (input-output) aim to give a robotic arm a signal that it is ready to run. 

There is also an encoder protocol that is not often used but still needs to know how to implement into a mechanical structure. 

As the communication based on TCP/IP has high reliability, strong practicability, and high performance aligned with low cost, many industrial automation projects have a vast demand for control robots that support TCP/IP protocol. The MG400 robot, designed based on TCP/IP protocol, provides rich interfaces for interaction with external devices.

Modbus protocol is a serial communication protocol. The robot system can communicate with external equipment by this protocol. Here, external equipment such as a PLC is set as the Modbus master, and the robot system is set as the slave.

I/O protocol stands for inputting internal data and output with the data transmitted to external sources. This data communication protocol aims to have this circle of sending and receiving data. At the same time, the I/O interface might contain additional resources, including registers, a voltage translator, and others.

Keeping in mind the key points of running the DOBOT MG400 will assist you in saving time in the installation process.

The process of deploying MG400 provided above is your starting point for automation. However, you are not alone in this way. Our customer from the Netherlands, Robin Zonneveld, is showing in detail how to deploy MG400: