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Station 1: Explore It – Motion Analysis
Concept Attainment & Pattern Recognition
Use real-world examples to identify and classify types of robotic arm motion, estimate angles, and connect observations to mathematical concepts.
◆ PATTERN
○ MODEL
◆ REPRESENT
○ LIMITS
Rotational motion and linear motion describe the path of the end-effector (the hand). What is important is the end effector. Let's say a robot is programmed to move its gripper in a straight line from a conveyor belt to a box (linear motion). To achieve this, the base, shoulder, and elbow joints all rotate in a precisely calculated sequence (rotational motion). But, even though the arm segments are moving in arcs, the result is that the gripper travels straight, and the robot's motion is categorized as linear.
To determine if the motion is rotational or linear, ask yourself:
Is it moving in a circle?
Is it moving in a straight line?
Triangle-based geometry describes the underlying math that the robot uses to make the path it takes happen. The triangle-based configuration describes where the robot arm can reach (the geometric constraints).
Whether the robot's hand is drawing a straight line or swinging in an arc, the relationship between its two links and the target point can always be modeled as a triangle. The robot's computer uses trigonometry on that triangle to figure out what angles each joint needs to be at to reach the right spot.
Automated Conveyor Belt System with Robotic Arms in a Modern Factory Setting
automated-conveyor-belt-system-with-robotic-arms-i-2024-11-29-18-55-06-utc.mov2. xArm Robot
3. Kuka Robot spray painting
4. ABB Robot Arm Pick and Place
5. Industrial Robotic Arm Welding
industrial-robotic-arm-4k-2025-06-09-05-12-10-utc.mov6. Robotic Arm In Modern Factory
robotic-arm-in-modern-factory-4k-2025-06-09-05-08-36-utc.mp47. Kuka Robots
855117-hd_1280_720_30fps.mp48. ABB IRB 1100
(watch from 0:07-0:24)
9. Industrial Robot 1
13814831_3840_2160_100fps.mp410. Industrial Robot 2
13814737_3840_2160_100fps.mp4Checklist
I watched 3 clips of robotic arm tasks.
I sorted each motion by checking all that apply: rotational or linear
I estimated and labeled the main angle(s) for each motion.
I sketched the motion and added labels.
I completed the written observation, explaining the difference between linear path and triangle-based geometry.
I applied my new understanding to a motion from my own robot arm project.
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