Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm

The Dobot MG400 is a departure from products typically available from Pololu. While the 8 kg (17 lb) unit is small for the collaborative robot world, it is much larger than typical Pololu products, and the cost is correspondingly higher as well. However, the price is still very competitive for what the robot arm offers, as the high ±0.05mm positional repeatability make this cobot a compelling option for serious automation applications. With a footprint of 19 cm (7.5 in) square, the low cost and small size also make the Dobot MG400 accessible for education and research applications with lower budgets that require more than the toy or hobby level of products typically available at lower costs.

The Dobot MG400 has a maximum reach of 44 cm, it can rotate through 320°, and it can lift payloads up to 500 g. Dobot makes a sliding track module that substantially expands the operating envelope of this robot and a vision system, which are also available through Pololu (product pages coming soon).

Motion range of the Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm, profile view.

Motion range of the Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm, top view.

The servo motors for controlling the arm’s two joints and the overall rotation are located in the main body of the arm, and they connect to the rest of the arm through a gear transmission with timing belts. The end effector rotation is controlled by a servo motor at the end of the arm.

The I/O panel on the arm’s base features 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs, access to 24VDC from the arm’s regulator, two ethernet ports, two USB ports, an encoder port for interfacing with a conveyor belt, an e-stop port, and a compressed air input. The air input from the base connects to an air output port at the end of the arm that can be used to control a pneumatic gripper.

I/O panel on the Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm.

Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm.

The picture below shows all of the included accessories, including the power supply, an e-stop (emergency stop) that plugs directly into the e-stop port on the base, a general-purpose end effector mounting flange, and a suction cup nozzle.

Accessories included with the Dobot MG400 Desktop Cobot Robotic Arm.

Note: The only end effector included with this arm is the suction cup nozzle, and that requires an external air supply to function. An air compressor is not included with this product.

The MG400 can be programmed a variety of ways, including through drag-to-teach positioning, a graphical programming interface, and Lua scripting.