🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <2967@sodium.ATT.COM> mcripps@sodium.ATT.COM (Mike Cripps) writes:
}I'm looking for info on relatively cheap robot arm devices that can be
}easily interfaced to a computer (I'm willing to do some hacking to interface
}it).  It doesn't have to be particularly fast or accurate or anything.

How cheap and how much hacking?  You could build what you describe from an
Erector Set and drive it with stepper motors from an electronic surplus
supply.  You're on your own for the interface.

If you want something off the shelf, with a plug 'n' play interface, the
price goes up.  Small, "academic" arms run in the $3K - $5K range.  I
don't know of any that come with an 18" reach, but you could attach
something to the end of the arm to give it one.  Microbot's Teachmover is
an example (about $3500, last I checked).

Once you get into the industrial arm class "cheap" means "under $30K."
Probably out of your range. (-:

-- 
The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@ttidca.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp(+)TTI             Illegitimis non
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (213) 450-9111, x2483       Carborundum
Santa Monica, CA  90405 {csun | philabs | psivax}!ttidca!hollombe