{"id":17284352,"url":"https://github.com/fepegar/arduino-claw-crane","last_synced_at":"2025-07-27T10:11:42.141Z","repository":{"id":107991580,"uuid":"372331626","full_name":"fepegar/arduino-claw-crane","owner":"fepegar","description":"Collaboration with artist Estefanía B. 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Flores](https://www.instagram.com/estefantastic)\nfor her master's thesis at\n[Goldsmiths, University of London](https://www.gold.ac.uk/).\n\nOld arcade claw crane controlled with an\n[Arduino UNO](https://store.arduino.cc/arduino-uno-rev3) microcontroller board.\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fepegar/arduino-claw-crane/master/videos/crane.gif\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\n[Video on YouTube](https://youtu.be/3AYCTyHq7pU)\n\n[Photos](./photos)\n\n[Videos](./videos)\n\n## Diagrams\n\n### Breadboard\n\n![Breadboard](screenshots/breadboard.png)\n\n### Schematic\n\n![Schematic](screenshots/breadboard_schem.png)\n\n## Motors\n\nThere are three DC motors, but we will only use two.\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fepegar/arduino-claw-crane/master/photos/WhatsApp_Image_2021-05-25_at_09.21.39.jpeg\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\nThey seem to be [12V Crouzet DC brush geared motors (828610)](https://soda.crouzet.com/pn/?i=82861009).\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://media.crouzet.com/catalog/_photos_low-resolution/jpg/PH_82861015.jpg\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\nI used an [Arduino motor shield](https://store.arduino.cc/arduino-motor-shield-rev3)\nto control them.\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://store-cdn.arduino.cc/uni/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1000x750/f8876a31b63532bbba4e781c30024a0a/A/0/A000079_front_2.jpg\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\nEach motor has two associated limit switches. They are connected to the Arduino\nusing internal pull-up resistors.\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fepegar/arduino-claw-crane/master/videos/limit.gif\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fepegar/arduino-claw-crane/master/screenshots/limit.png\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\n(From [this manual](http://ohwow-arcade.com/Assets/Game_Manuals/BIG%20CHOICE.PDF))\n\n## Claw solenoid\n\nThe claw is closed using a push solenoid.\n\nTo control the claw, I used a relay module. More specifically, I used a\n[SunFounder 2-Channel DC 5V Relay Module with Optocoupler Low Level Trigger Expansion Board](https://www.sunfounder.com/products/2channel-relay-module).\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0474/7729/3217/products/TS0010-01.jpg?v=1599722937\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\nAn ohmeter says the resistance across the solenoid is 4.5 ohms, so the current\nthrough it will be 2.67 amps, as we are using 12 V.\nWe close the claw for 50 ms.\n\nA flyback diode (1N4007) is placed in parallel to the claw to protect the\ncircuit.\nAccording to [components101.com](https://components101.com/diodes/1n4007-diode),\nthe non-repetitive peak current is 30 amps, so it should be fine.\n\nI decided to leave the jumper between Vcc and JD-Vcc in place (i.e., the current\nfor the relay solenoid is supplied through the Arduino pin). Ideally, though,\nthis voltage would come from an external power supply (good explanation\n[in this video](https://youtu.be/d9evR-K6FAY)).\n\n## Manual control\n\nFor testing, I used the joystick that comes with the Elegoo starter kit.\nIt seems to be a [KY-023](https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Dual-axis-joystick-module-for-Arduino-KY-023.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh_eFBhDZARIsALHjIKda6-hFnS6d_X1JHB1WaObJxghC3TNj5pJ42rqzo3oEvcHOkOQUueAaAp14EALw_wcB).\n\n\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\n  \u003cimg src=\"https://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/images/D/KY023.jpg\" width=\"300\"\u003e\n\u003c/p\u003e\n\nMore info:\n\n- [Components101.com](https://components101.com/modules/joystick-module)\n- [Arduinomodules.info](https://arduinomodules.info/ky-023-joystick-dual-axis-module/)\n\nI use the potentiometers to control the two motors, and the push button to close\nthe claw.\n\n## Links of interest\n\n### Claw cranes\n\n- [Holland Computers, Inc. – Crane Kit Manual – Part Number RA-CRANE-KIT](https://www.hollandcomputers.com/data/Gaming/Crane%20Kit%20Manual%20RA-CRANE-KIT-2019.pdf)\n- [BBTSON MICROPROCESSOR CRANE](http://ohwow-arcade.com/Assets/Game_Manuals/BIG%20CHOICE.PDF)\n- [Coast to Coast Entertainment – Stage 1 Crane Controller – D9803D4 Instructions](https://coasttocoastcranes.com/Manuals/Double%20Feature%20Manual.pdf)\n- [Grayhound Electronics – The Crane Operators Manual](https://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-vending/Grayhound_Crane_Schematics.pdf)\n- [Grayhound crane dip switch settings](https://www.arcade-museum.com/manuals-vending/GrayhoundSkillCrane.pdf)\n- [ArcadeControls.com – \"greyhound crane claw problem\"](http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111859.0)\n- [Hackaday.io – Toy Claw Machine](https://hackaday.io/project/215-toy-claw-machine)\n- [Fixing an 80's Drew's Tiger Paw Plush Crane Claw Machine With Schematics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLF4t5Sr2Ww)\n- [Arcade Claw Machine/ Prize Game with Arduino](http://www.retrobuiltgames.com/the-build-page/arduino-claw-machine/)\n- [Powering a crane/claw](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/471259/powering-a-crane-claw)\n- [Claw machines are rigged — here's why it's so hard to grab that stuffed animal](https://www.vox.com/2015/4/3/8339999/claw-machines-rigged)\n- [Arduino Claw Machine](https://www.instructables.com/Arduino-Claw-Machine/)\n\n### Arduino\n\n- [DroneBot Workshop](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzml9bXoEM0itbcE96CB03w)\n- [Paul McWhorter](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYfK0tzHZTpNFrc_NDKfTA)\n- [Robojax](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkcBSig_Iu4ZnAIeCeG1TVg)\n- [Library tutorial](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Hacking/libraryTutorial)\n- [Adafruit-BMP085-Library](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-BMP085-Library)\n- [API style guide](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/APIStyleGuide)\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Ffepegar%2Farduino-claw-crane","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Ffepegar%2Farduino-claw-crane","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Ffepegar%2Farduino-claw-crane/lists"}