Mecademic Diode Load

Precision diode load

With 5um repeatability, the Mecademic 500 is uniquely suited for applications requiring a high degree of precision. Prestaging of components is key, however, when using purely motion with no vision or dynamic location. The CanaKit Raspberry Pi breadboard provides a good stage for this work, which could be adapted for backloading & soldering manufacturing applications. Watch the video here.

Battered Diode

Word of warning- have a few “burner” parts for use during setup. Once the diode legs get bent they are difficult to straighten!

It’s difficult to see, but the robot performs a “shimmy” action as it places the 2 diodes. This utilized the Mecademic’s ability to jog in very fine increments when building the program- in this case, 0.05mm and finer. This motion was to offset the variance in prestage presentation of the diodes, and the spring memory in the fragile diode legs. The program is included below.

Meca 500 placing diode

Precision vs Accuracy

Ok, this one may not be completely intuitive, but there is a difference between precision and accuracy in the world of robotic motion and robotic-aided assembly and manufacturing. A common way to think of the difference between the two is the dart board analogy. As shown below, accuracy can be thought of hitting the exact mark you intended to hit- the very center of the dart board. Precision can be thought of as hitting the same spot every time- repeatability, but not necessarily in the exact spot you intended.

One dart in the exact center is accurate. 3 darts in the same position off-center represent precision.

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Mecademic vs Anyone Else

Sure, there are dozens of contenders in the industrial desktop robotics category, but for professional-grade speed and precision, the Mecademic Meca500 is the hands-down winner. At just over 10lbs with nearly 13″ of reach, it’s diminutive size allows for easy transport and set-up in situations where space is restricted. The quality of construction is apparent right out of the box; it’s a serious, well-constructed machine with an on-board software interface which allows for rapid set-up and use.