As an update, the Patent HAS expired now (Duh...) and I've been tinkering in the space as has Apsu. He's got a new small design that he's been working with along with other kinematics. As people have observed, if you don't have a stiff enough but yet light hinge, you're going to have no end to, "fun," with this kinematic. You need something hell-bent for stiff in the lateral force direction ofby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
As it stands, he's got a 2040 based version that he's not disclosed much of anything other than a kinematic study. This would resist some shifts in the direction of the 40mm axis on the extrusions, so long as the hinge was as solid as the ones he came up with for the original.by madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
Well, in the case of this, I think he had the arms "stiff" enough for the purposes of the levels of precision for printed parts. Where I think he had issues was the carriage to belt interface- there's a LOT of torsion potential there on the arm and it applies a lot of force in it's direction. Looking at his videos, it looks like the float he'd occasionally get is more due to issues there. I coby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
Just because it's on Thingiverse doesn't lead to it not being novel or having issues. There's a lot of Delta designs, H-Bot, and CoreXY designs on Thingiverse too. Do you see people being dismissive of those? It had promise when Apsu did his initial designs, he just stopped when there were Legal challenges- which is a wise item. It didn't stop because of "issues" or that it wasn't doable.by madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
As for firmware...the research papers around this have the math in there down...and the Patents ALMOST fully describe it as well. They kind of had to in order to get the patent in the first place. That there is extant versions of something means we can put it in any of the usual suspects pretty easily. This is going to be about what limitations you have in the actuator assemblies and the armsby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
Yep. There's a reason why I'm eagerly awaiting that expiry. Sometimes you need to collaborate to innovate and come up with, "better". The University in question never saw fit to be reasonable in the space. They saw it a ticket to cash. Could've been- but without experimentation being allowed on it and non-commercial/research designs being done...well... It's got some real potentials...whichby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
As it stands, if it's September, it's September. No biggie. We can begin in earnest at that point in time, regardless of claims, notes, etc. And the people skilled in the art can start playing pretty much at any point in time right now as long as they're not disclosing details in the US. Other countries may vary there...I just can't do it and neither can Apsu right at the moment.by madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
QuoteJoergS5 Thank you very much for explaining some details of patents! ...and you're very welcome. It can be convoluted at times unless you've filed a few of them. :-Dby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
I'll say it again... Unless the Patent Office says something to this effect, that's what goes. Google's good for looking up a copy of the patent itself (USPTO's service is actually better because it now pretty much covers all patents granted to the late 1700's). Now, they don't say WHY it's extended under "35 USC 154(b)" which is an inappropriate citation. Quote35 USC 154 (b) Adjustment of Pby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms
Shame. It's actually a bit of an interesting design. When do you think you're going to resume discussion on this one...and where?by madscientist_42 - Look what I made!
The problem with this is that... 1) Google ISN'T the canonical source of this information. For all of a reason for "accuracy", it's not official in any sense of the term. 2) The claimed extension time doesn't make any sense against the backdrop of the patent itself or relevant US law. 3) It's not that you can't make/use a patented item...you can't disclose means unto which someone NOT skilled iby madscientist_42 - Polar Machines, SCARA, Robot Arms