3D printing offers a wide range of applications in many technical fields, including robotics. One interesting project in this context is the ManiPilator, a 3D-printed robotic arm developed by hobbyist Leo Goldstein. This project demonstrates how 3D printing can be combined with open source software to build functional and customisable robotic arms.
Leo Goldstein decided to build the ManiPilator using a home-made approach rather than conventional robot building kits. By using 3D printing technology, he was able to manufacture and customise the necessary parts himself. The robot arm consists of several 3D-printed components that are driven by standard stepper motors and servos. He used the open source firmware Klipper as the controller.
Klipper allows the computing power of the control system to be outsourced to an external computer such as a Raspberry Pi, while the microcontroller is only responsible for direct motor control. This results in better performance and more precise control of the robot arm’s movements.
Leo Goldstein has published instructions for his development and 3D model files.
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