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Interesting robot arm on there. I'd like to see the controller for it.
 
That looks like an XR-2 model. The XR-1 model had a rod in the hand linkage instead of the rectangular bit. Also, if I remember right, on the XR-1 there was only one chain going from shoulder to elbow. The other side was cable just like from elbow to wrist.

The XR-3 enclosed the encoders in plastic cylinders (originally milled aluminum). The reason why is because if you set the arm near a sunlit window and turned on the controller, the arm would fold into what we called the 'fetal position'. The exposed sensors were IR sensitive.

The controller for the XR-1 was an open PCB that sat on top of two 12V power supplies. One supply for +12V and the other for -12V.

The XR-2 and XR-3 used an enclosed PCB. The controller for the XR-2 used an 8748 processor. A later controller used an 80188 processor and a bunch of 8051 to control the motors.

Then came the XR-4. Instead of milled open links, it used solid plate. It was blue anodized aluminum. It used the Mark-IV controller that had the 80188 processor.

The arms were/are produced by Rhino Robots. I worked for them from 1982 to 1990. I was Chief Engineer and designed the Mark III and Mark IV controllers as well as several accessories. When I left we had just starting making small slant bed lathes. Also did a wire cutter (owner saw an opportunity) and helped on the Scorpion - a mobile robot.

At the time, they were in Champaign Illinois. You can find them on the internet but it looks like they're in Ohio now. Still selling the same units!?

I still have an XR-1 arm. The controller is long gone though.

If you remember the movie 'Short Circuit', as the move begins, you'll see an XR picking up a phone.
 
zeeprogrammer said:
If you remember the movie 'Short Circuit', as the move begins, you'll see an XR picking up a phone.
I thought I saw an XR-4 in the opening credits of Bill Nye's show the other day, the solid-plated, blue anodized one. Only a little of it visible above the end-effector, but I think it said Rhino...
 

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