6 Axis Robotic Arm Kit – Open Source Arduino DIY | Arctos Robotics
Open Source · Arduino · 3D Printed

The Best 6 Axis Robotic Arm Kit
You Can Build at Home

An industrial-grade open source robotic arm kit with 600 mm reach, 2 kg payload, and full AI & ROS support — starting at $326. Three kit options to match your skill level and budget.

6 Degrees of Freedom
600mm Max Reach
2 kg Payload Capacity
$326 Starting Price
↓ See All Kits Hardware Docs Assembly Manual
Arctos 6 axis robotic arm kit – DIY open source Arduino robot
▶ Watch the Full Overview
Choose Your Kit

3 Kit Options — One Robotic Arm

Whether you want to print your own parts, source your own electronics, or get everything ready to assemble — there’s a kit for you.

Arctos hardware v2 open loop robotic arm kit
Most Popular Hardware v2 Open Loop Kit $326.00 + Shipping · Estimated delivery: 7–15 days Complete electronics hardware kit with upgraded TMC2209 stepper drivers and limit switches. Everything you need except the 3D printed parts and tools. Simple, robust, and fast to get running.
Pros Greater speeds Less noise (TMC2209) Simple setup Robust & reliable
Cons No position feedback More wiring
What’s Included
Bearings TMC2209 Drivers Stepper Motors Timing Belts Pulleys & Idlers Control Boards Wiring & Cables Fasteners Limit Switches Magnets Dowel Pins Threaded Rods Power Supply Fans
🛒 Amazon 🛍 AliExpress
DIY Robotic Arm Assembly
▶ Watch: DIY Assembly
Best Performance
Arctos hardware v2 closed loop robotic arm kit
Precision Control Hardware v2 Closed Loop Kit $393.00 + Shipping · Estimated delivery: 7–15 days Closed-loop feedback control eliminates missed steps for precise, repeatable motion. Cleaner build with less external wiring. Ideal for serious projects requiring high repeatability.
Pros Position feedback No missed steps Cleaner wiring Higher repeatability
Cons Higher cost Harder to debug
What’s Included
Bearings Closed-Loop Motors Encoder Boards Timing Belts Pulleys & Idlers CAN Bus Boards Wiring & Cables Fasteners Magnets Dowel Pins Threaded Rods Power Supply Fans
🛒 Amazon 🛍 AliExpress
Closed Loop Robot Control
▶ Watch: Closed Loop in Action
Arctos printed parts v2 kit – 3D printed robot arm parts
Structural Kit Printed Parts v2 Kit $360.00 + Shipping · Estimated delivery: 7–15 days (custom made) All structural 3D printed parts in Polymaker ABS, pre-manufactured and ready to assemble. Choose your color combination. Perfect if you already have the electronics or want to source them separately.
Pros Ready-to-assemble parts Color options Quality ABS material No printer needed
Cons Electronics separate 10 day build time
What’s Included
All ABS Structural Parts Base Assembly Shoulder Links Elbow Links Wrist Assembly End-Effector Mount Gear Housing Parts Custom Color Options
🛒 Amazon 🛍 AliExpress
Arctos Robotics Community Builds
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Side-by-Side

Kit Comparison Table

Find which Arduino 6 axis robot arm kit fits your project, skill level, and budget.

Feature
Open Loop v2 $326
Closed Loop v2 ★ $393
Printed Parts v2 $360
Price $326 $393 $360
Delivery 7–15 days 7–15 days 10 working days (custom)
Electronics Included ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✕ No
3D Printed Parts Included ✕ No ✕ No ✓ Yes
Stepper Drivers TMC2209 Closed-Loop Encoders —
Position Feedback ✕ Open Loop ✓ Closed Loop — (parts only)
Wiring Complexity More wiring Cleaner build —
Recommended For Beginners & budget builds Precision applications DIY electronics builders
Material — — Polymaker ABS
Color Options — — ✓ Two-tone options
Amazon Available ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
AliExpress Available ✓ Yes ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Technical Specifications

Arctos Robotic Arm Specs

A desktop-sized arm with industrial-grade design principles. Built for learning, prototyping, and automation.

🔄 6 Degrees of Freedom Full 6-axis articulation for complex motion paths
📏 600 mm Max Reach Comparable to small industrial arms
⚖️ 2 kg Payload Capacity Enough for pick-and-place, welding, and printing
🏋️ 10 kg Arm Weight Solid build with rigid ABS structure
⚡ Arduino Electronics Arduino / ESP32 / CAN Bus architecture
🖨️ 200×200mm Min. Print Bed Required if self-printing structural parts
Build Process

How to Assemble Your 6 Axis Robot Arm

A step-by-step process from parts to a fully working robotic arm. Full assembly manuals available for both hardware versions.

01 📦

Choose Your Kit

Pick the open loop kit for simplicity, closed loop for precision, or the printed parts kit if you’re sourcing your own electronics. Order via Amazon or AliExpress.

02 🖨️

Print or Source Parts

3D print structural components using the provided STL/3MF files, or purchase the pre-printed kit. Minimum 200×200mm print bed required for self-printing.

03 🔧

Assemble Mechanics

Follow the detailed assembly manual (v2.9.7). Install bearings, gearboxes, belts, pulleys, and drivetrain components using the step-by-step photo guide.

04 🔌

Wire Electronics

Connect stepper motors, drivers, limit switches, and control board. Open loop uses more wiring; closed loop routes internally via CAN bus for a cleaner build.

05 💻

Flash Firmware

Flash Arctos GRBL firmware to your Arduino/ESP32 from the open source GitHub repository. Compatible with ROS, ROS2, Grbl, RoboDK, and MATLAB/Simulink.

06 🤖

Run Arctos Studio

Connect to Arctos Studio v3.0 for simulation, path planning, AI control, computer vision, PLC programming, and more. Your arm is now fully operational.

Open Source Ecosystem

Software Compatibility

The Arctos open source robotic arm kit integrates with the world’s leading robotics and AI platforms out of the box.

🧬 Arctos Studio Native AI control, simulation & path planning (free)
🤖 ROS / ROS2 Full Robot Operating System support
🏭 RoboDK Industrial simulation & offline programming
🧮 MATLAB / Simulink Advanced kinematics & control system modeling
🌐 Isaac Sim NVIDIA physics-based simulation
⚙️ GRBL Firmware Open source, fully forkable on GitHub

Arctos Studio in Action

Arctos Studio Free Robot Software
▶ Arctos Studio Demo
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before ordering your open source robotic arm kit.

Open loop uses TMC2209 stepper drivers — fast, quiet, easy to set up, but no position feedback. If a motor misses a step, the arm won’t know. Closed loop adds encoder feedback so every position is verified, eliminating missed steps. The closed loop build is cleaner with less external wiring (CAN bus). For most learning and prototyping projects, open loop is sufficient. Choose closed loop if you need high repeatability or plan to run complex autonomous tasks.
The hardware kits (open loop and closed loop) include all electronics but not the printed parts. You can either print them yourself (minimum 200×200mm bed required, STL/3MF files provided free) or purchase the Printed Parts v2 Kit at $360 which includes all pre-manufactured ABS structural parts. You can also buy the CAD files for full customization.
Hardware kits typically arrive in 7 days via Amazon US or 15 days via AliExpress worldwide. The Printed Parts kit is custom-manufactured to order and ships within 10 working days. Always check the product page for current lead times.
The Arctos arm supports pick-and-place, 3D printing, welding simulation, conveyor belt automation, path following, PLC programming, computer vision (object recognition), reinforcement learning, and LLM control through Arctos Studio. It’s an ideal platform for learning industrial robotics, AI, and mechatronics at home.
Yes. All firmware (Arctos GRBL) is available on GitHub, and CAD files (Fusion 360, STL, 3MF, STEP) are available for purchase. The community actively contributes mods, improvements, and integrations. Arctos Studio has a free tier and Discord community support.
Intermediate DIY/maker skills are recommended — you should be comfortable with basic electronics wiring and 3D printing. The comprehensive assembly manual and active Discord community make it accessible to dedicated beginners. The build teaches real-world gearbox mechanics, CAN bus electronics, and kinematic control.

Ready to Build Your Own 6 Axis Robot Arm?

Join thousands of makers, students, and engineers who have built the Arctos open source robotic arm kit. Available on Amazon and AliExpress.

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