Building a spring I can turn off

/ 5 hours ago January 29, 2026

From James Bruton.

Ad: Check out PCBWay’s Shared Projects section. Go to: https://www.pcbway.com/?from=JamesBruton

Larger robots have more inertia, so we need to build actuator systems that can absorb some load as the robot moves. I did this in my robot dog projects with Quasi-direct-drive actuators that can be back-driven. But for really big robots this becomes impractical due to the size of the motors we’d need for such low reduction.

In this video I’m going to experiment with an actuator and sensor so I can make a variable-damped-spring with lots of power and velocity.

You can support me on Patreon, join my Discord, or buy my Merchandise:
***************************
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/fc6MedG7eW
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xrobots
Merch Store: https://james-bruton.teemill.com/collection/all-products/
***************************

Other socials:
***************************
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrobotsuk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/xrobotsuk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrobotsuk/
***************************

Affiliate links – I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something:
***************************
Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots
***************************

CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots

Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon.

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE

Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects:

Filament from: https://polymaker.com/
Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil
Bearings from: https://simplybearings.co.uk/
Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos
CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt
Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD
3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu
Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR
Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv

CAD content is sponsored by Autodesk Fusion 360

Related posts