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How to build PAROL6 Desktop Robot Arm

6-DoF desktop robot arm · Advanced

Build PAROL6 by Source Robotics: a 3D-printed 6-axis desktop arm designed to behave like an industrial robot, with GPLv3 commander software and open STLs.

Difficulty
Advanced

Many actuators, custom wiring and real tuning work.

Build time
1–3 months

Our estimate, part-time

Parts cost
€2,378

Project's own total, source currency

Degrees of freedom
6

GPL-3.0

What is PAROL6 Desktop Robot Arm?

PAROL6 is a six-axis desktop arm from Source Robotics, Petar Crnjak's company and the team behind Faze4. The goal is an arm that feels like a small industrial robot in its mechanics, its control software and how you use it day to day.

You can buy it assembled, or source the parts from the BOM folder and build it yourself. The software, GUI and STLs are released under GPLv3. Source Robotics' safety notice warns about dangerous voltages, so treat this as an advanced build.

Versions and forks

  • Faze4

PAROL6 Desktop Robot Arm specifications

Axes
6
Structure
3D-printed
Actuators
Stepper motors
License
GPLv3

Figures as published by the project. See Sources below.

Bill of materials

PartQtyNotes
Stepper motors and drivers6
PAROL6 control board1
Belts, bearings and hardware—Per BOM
3D-printed parts—
Power supply—
Where's the full bill of materials?

The full BOM, with exact quantities and vendors, lives in the project's own files. Prices change often, so treat €2,378 as a ballpark from the project. Start at the project repository.

Tools you'll need

  • 3D printer
  • Hex keys
  • Crimp tools
  • Multimeter

Step-by-step build overview

Electronics & wiring overview

A single control board drives all six steppers, reads the homing switches and connects to the PC over USB. Leave the mains wiring to someone qualified.

DC power supplypower sourceLaptop / PChigh-level controlEncoderssensingSTM32 microcontrollerreal-time controllerStepper driversdrivers / busNEMA 17 steppers6 joints / motors
PowerData / commandsSensor feedbackOverview only. Follow the project's own schematic for pinouts and voltages.

Software

ROS 2MoveItPythonURDF model

The PAROL6 commander GUI, with documentation at source-robotics.github.io/PAROL-docs.

Tips from the bench

  • ☕ Read SAFETY_WARNING_AND_DISCLAIMER.md first.
  • ☕ Ask questions on the Discord.

PAROL6 Desktop Robot Arm FAQ

Can I buy it assembled?

Yes, from Source Robotics.

What license does PAROL6 use?

GPLv3, according to the repository.

Sources

Written by Bots n' Beans from the project's own documentation. Check the sources for the latest revision before you buy parts.

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