Design of Delta Arm For Multi-Purpose Agribot
Design of Delta Arm For Multi-Purpose Agribot
Abstract—In agricultural spheres, numerous challenges supplementary fertilizers to sustain crop yield. The quest
persist, notably revolving around tasks such as weed for more precise, effective, and environmentally
eradication, horti- culture, and the precise application of
herbicides and fertilizers. The cost of individual robots tailored
sustainable methods has spurred the ex- ploration of robotic
to each of these tasks remains prohibitively high for many solutions [1]. In this context, precision agriculture
common farmers. To address this, a delta arm has been selected techniques have gained traction as a means to optimize
for its versatility, capable of both spraying and weed removal resource utilization while mitigating adverse envi-
with enhanced accuracy and minimal environmental impact. ronmental impacts [2]. The cost of employing separate
The principal aim of this study is to devise a delta arm
capable of efficient multi directional movement. The robots for different agricultural tasks is prohibitive, given
interplay between the active and passive arms is crucial, as is that existing market robots lack the ability to perform
the circular design of the end effector and base platforms, multiple functions. To address this challenge, a delta arm
ensuring optimal functionality and movement along all axes. robot has been employed for precision tasks such as spraying
The integration of delta arm robotics into agricultural fertilizers, targeted weed removal, and irrigation. Its
practices holds immense potential for revolutionizing the
industry in the forthcoming years, offering the advantage of versatility lies in the capability to adapt its end effector,
versatile task execution at high speeds. which facilitates various operations. For instance, weed
removal is achieved using an attached driller, while
Keywords—Delta arm, passive arm, active arm, fertilizer fertilization or herbicide spraying is executed through a
spraying, L298 driver, end effector, multi-purpose bot, sprinkler integrated into the platform.
raspberrypi, robotic arm, servo motor, weed control.
At the forefront of these technological advancements
I. INTRODUCTION lies the incorporation of robotics into agriculture. Robotic
Agriculture serves as the cornerstone of economies systems present the opportunity to boost agricultural
world- wide, offering sustenance, employment productivity, sustainability, and efficiency while tackling
opportunities, and es- sential materials for various issues like labor scarcity, resource inefficiency, and
industries. With the continuous growth of the global environmental impacts. A significant example within this
population, the demand for food pro- duction escalates. framework is the utilization of the delta arm robot for
Agriculture faces significant hurdles such as climate precise fertilization spraying, targeted weed eradication, and
change, soil depletion, pest infestations, diseases, weed irrigation. This study encompasses the creation,
management, horticulture challenges, and the application of advancement, and application of the delta arm in
herbicides and fertilizers. Weeds compete with crops, ne- agricultural settings. The primary aim of this research is to
cessitating labor-intensive manual removal, while engineer a robot that is compact, portable, and adaptable to
horticulture demands meticulous environmental control. The execute multiple tasks.
application of herbicides and fertilizers poses health risks to
The delta arm is distinguished by its distinctive parallel
farmers and con- sumers, affecting the environment and
kinematic structure, which offers high flexibility [3]. It pro-
ecological equilibrium. Additionally, shifting environmental
vides exceptional rigidity, speed, and accuracy, rendering it
conditions contribute to declining soil fertility, requiring
979-8-3503-8436-9/24/$31.00©2024 IEEE
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2024 10th International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communication Systems (ICACCS)
well-suited for agricultural tasks demanding precision and these factors uniquely influence the robot’s performance [9].
repetitive actions. Comprising three parallel robotic arms in- Clavel’s robot stands as a pioneering tool in the exploration
terconnected at a shared end effector with three degrees of of parallel robots, facilitating reconfiguration and size
freedom, the delta robot ensures smooth and precise motion modifications to investigate different robots with unique
along all axes. Its distinctive kinematic arrangement traits [10]. It provides valuable insights into accuracy,
facilitates seamless movement in all directions. The stiffness, compliance, and force characteristics.
fundamental ele- ments of the delta arm encompass the base
A new approach to dynamic modeling [11] for flexible
platform, active arm, passive arm, and end effector. Through
bar-group robots, considering flexible joints, connections,
the incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies and
and joint clearance. This method enhances existing
sophisticated control sys- tems, the delta arm can be tailored
techniques in terms of precision, efficiency, and dynamic
for various tasks [4]. A key benefit of utilizing the delta arm
models for flexible links and joints. A dynamic analysis
in agriculture is its precision. When it comes to agricultural
formula for parallel robots with flexible links is presented
practices, the delta arm offers superior accuracy compared
[10]. High-speed pick-and-place robots encounter challenges
to traditional methods like back- pack sprayers; it can apply
with varying inertia loads [12]. A method for tuning
chemicals with greater precision. Its proficiency lies in
parameters of the
accurately distributing fertilizers and precisely removing
weeds, thereby minimizing wastage and enhancing the fixed-gain motion controller is proposed, utilizing sinusoidal
efficiency of these essential activities. This leads to reduced excitation to identify servo system parameters in the
waste and heightened effectiveness in fertilizer application frequency domain. An automated tea plucking robot,
and weed control. Additionally, the delta arm can cover revolutionizing the tea production process [13], incorporates
more ground in less time compared to conventionalmethods. a flexible mechanical design, an advanced visual recognition
The research, development, and practical implement of a system (VRS) employ- ing computer vision and machine
robotic delta arm system for precise agricultural tasks are learning techniques, and a precise motion control system.
explored [5].
A distinctive concurrent control structure is introduced
This research outcome presents the movement patterns of for a MIMO time-varying system [14], focusing on a three-
each arm, categorized into two types: parallel and mixed degree- of-freedom (DOF) delta robot. To effectively
com- binations. In parallel combinations, all arms exhibit the remove and replace unfit seedlings in trays for assessing
same angle, whereas in mixed combinations, each arm seedling health and locating them, an image recognition
assumes a different angle. The integration of delta arm system is developed. Leaf damage during transplantation is
robots intoagriculture holds the potential to revolutionize the minimized [15]. Various controllers for delta robots are
industry in the coming years, given its ability to perform explored, with an emphasis on stability under varying
diverse tasks at high speeds. Delta arms in agricultural operating conditions [16]. The proposed PID controller,
applications profoundly impact crop production, security, which is independent of the robot’s mathematical model,
and environmental sustain- ability on a global scale. surpasses traditional PID methods. This research offers
Utilizing delta arms for precision fertilizer spraying and valuable insights into advanced control strate- gies [17] for
weed control marks a significant stride towards sustainable delta robots, promising more resilient systems for dynamic
agriculture. This article establishes the foundation for a applications. Significant improvements in [18] trajectory
comprehensive exploration of their utilization, advantages, tracking for a parallel delta robot in the presence of
and implications in the agricultural sector, em- phasizing the external disturbances are achieved [19] using an adap-
necessity for ongoing research and development to advance tive robust iterative learning control method. This approach
more efficient and environmentally sound farming practices. achieves faster convergence, enhanced tracking accuracy,
and efficient disturbance rejection through the integration of
II. LITERATURE REVIEW adap-tive proportional-derivative control in [20].
An assessment of motion precision in delta robots, specif-
A target spray platform is devised to decrease the usage
ically examining the impact of parallelism error within the
of chemicals in agriculture and promote sustainability [21].
passive arm’s parallel mechanism and loading effects [6].
The approach for analyzing reconfigurable parallel
The study formulates kinematic equations utilizing the space
mechanisms outlined in this study is comprehensive and
vector method to derive forward solutions. A design and
efficient, allowing for calculations of both analytical and
control system for a cost-effective delta robot [7], with
numerical mobility [22]. These mechanisms offer enhanced
the goal of improving industrial productivity, particularly for
flexibility, adapting into various conventional parallel
pick- and-place operations and autonomous manufacturing
mechanisms. The method precisely computes and illustrates
lines. Analyzing the dynamic behavior of [8] a delta parallel
the interconnected mobility of multiple end-effectors. A
robot concerning elasticity, friction, and joint clearances, as
mechanism is introduced in [23], offering a practical and
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greater movement in all directions. These arms mirror the the1,the2and the3 represents theta.
movements of the active arms, enabling coordinated motion
of the platform. The passive arms transmit the motion from V. DELTA ARM DESIGN
the active arms to the end effector while maintaining the The depicted delta arm figures illustrate movement,
desired geometry of the delta robot. torque, and flexibility, which are determined by the
measurements between the active arm and the passive arm.
F. End effector
These measure- ments are crucial for ensuring optimal
The end effector serves as the terminal component of the movement of the delta arm in all directions. Let’s examine
delta arm, responsible for executing designated tasks such as each figure individually to understand its applications. Fig.2
object manipulation. Attached to this platform are the shows the different parts and component of delta arm.
passive arms, enabling precise and swift movement. The
design of the end effector can vary depending on the
specific application, but it is typically engineered to securely
hold tools or objects during operation. To summarize, the
delta arm’s base platform ensures stability, active motors
produce motion, active arms convey this motion, active arms
replicate the motion to the end effector, and the end effector
executes tasks in a synchronized and accurate manner. This
amalgamation of elements enables the delta arm to achieve
swift and precise movements within its designated
operational area.
The equations from (1) to (8) helps in deriving the final Fig. 3: Flexible Joints
X, Y, Z coordinate points in mathematical equation, where
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2024 10th International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communication Systems (ICACCS)
Conversely, if the passive arm exceeds the active arm in execution takes place through the Thonny IDE, which
length, it offers a greater range of motion, higher torque, interfaces with the Raspberry Pi. Since the servo motors
and require a 12V supply, and theRaspberry Pi can only provide
flexibility. In this setup, the delta arm can move in all 5V, three H-bridge drivers are required to supply 12V to the
three directions. three servo motors. The servo motors operate based on the
angles specified in the code by the user. The orientation
The joint connecting the active arm and passive arm is
of the Delta arm is determined by the angles of the
designed in a U-type model, providing both flexibility and
motors.
stability. This design feature enables the delta arm to easily
maneuver around all axes. VIII. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Fig.3 displays the flexible joints of the delta arm which is The movement of the delta arm is dictated by the angles
crucial for free and high range of movement in all of the motors. The user specifies the angle at which each
direction. arm of the delta arm should move. There are two types of
movements:parallel combination and mixed combination. In
VI. METHODOLOGY the parallel combination, all three motors have the same
The delta arm is paired with a Raspberry Pi and three angle. In the mixed combination, the angles of the three
servo motors, responsible for moving the arms along with motors are not the same.
the end effector. Input is provided through the Raspberry Pi
TABLE I: PARALLEL COMBINATION OF ANGLES AND
at 5V, which sends signals to each servo motor. However,
MEASUREMENT
since the servo motors require a 12V supply, an H-bridge
driver (L298N bridge module) is necessary. Fig.4 illustrates Motor 1 (degree) 0 45 90 135
the block diagram Motor 2 (degree) 0 45 90 135
Motor 3 (degree) 0 45 90 135
X (mm) 0 0 0 0
Y (mm) 0 0 0 0
Z (mm) 115 -195 -238 -285
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2024 10th International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communication Systems (ICACCS)
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