11/13/2025 - Project Research - Day 1

Today I began the first steps toward building Mino, a compact robotic arm designed to stay minimal and folded when not in use. I spent some time researching basic robotic arm structures — especially how joints, servos, and linkages work together to create smooth, controlled motion. After getting a rough idea of what I wanted, I opened a drawing tool and started sketching the first design of the arm. The goal is to keep it small and clean when idle, so I focused on how the segments could fold into each other without adding bulk. I’m still figuring out the best way to integrate the servo mounts and wiring paths without cluttering the design.

12/25/2025 - Some progress on design

Today I kicked off the design process for my custom robotic arm. I began by looking up into videos and tutorials, explored how others approached their builds and noting clever design choices that stood out to me. This gave me a solid foundation of inspiration and practical insight.
From there, I sketched out my own basic design and started laying down the initial structure that will guide the rest of the project. It’s still in its early stage, but the framework is clear, and I now have a somewhat roadmap to refine and complete soon.
This marks the beginning of the build journey as i was busy for few days back: the concept is drafted and the next steps will focus on detailing, then building, and eventually bringing the arm to life.

12/26/2025 - Finalsing the design

After laying the groundwork in my initial sketches, today I brought the design phase to a close. I revisited my early design, refined the structure, and incorporated insights I had gathered from tutorials and references. With the help of Nano Banana and by reworking my draft, I locked in the design, place for components, and overall layout that felt right.
The result is a final sketch that clearly represents the robotic arm I want to build. It balances inspiration from others with my own vision, and now serves as the blueprint for the next stage.
From here, I’ll move into Fusion 360 to begin creating the 3D files. which will transform the concept into precise digital models, setting the stage for 3d modeling and eventual bringing it to life.

12/27/2025 - started the 3d model

I moved from sketches into the digital build phase and began modeling the robotic arm in Fusion 360. This was my second big 3D project, so it required extra learning and practice to get comfortable with the new tools and workflows.
I focused first on building the base for the components, ensuring the foundation is solid and ready to support the rest of the structure. The design is now taking shape in a tangible way, and the groundwork is set for the next stage.
Later, I’ll move on to creating the main top arm, which will bring the mechanical motion into the design and complete the core assembly.
This step feels like a major step: the project has transitioned from concept and sketches into real 3D models :)

12/28/2025 7 AM - finished main arm and starting controller

The 3D modeling phase reached a major milestone today: I completed the entire main arm. This part of the build truly tested my skills, it pushed me to apply everything I’ve learned so far and adapt to new challenges that came up.
Working through the details of the design in Fusion 360 gave me a deeper understanding of precision and structure.
A big thanks goes to that guy from discord server who guided me through some tricky steps while I was making the 3D file. Their input helped me overcome the problem and finish the design with confidence.
With the main arm now complete, the robotic arm is starting to feel real. The next stage will be building the controller

12/28/2025 7 PM - finished the controller

I designed and built a controller today that mirrors the structure of my main robotic arm. It is a scaled down version, somewhat about three times smaller but it carries the same mechanics and layout.
The idea was to create a compact model that could directly control the larger arm, acting as both an input device and a physical reference. By moving the small arm, the main arm responds, making the controller an intuitive way to test motion and coordination.
This step not only adds functionality but also adds uniqueness to the build. With the controller made, i will later code the main arm.

12/29/2025 - wrote the basic code

With the design and 3D modeling complete, I shifted focus to the control system. Today, with the help of AI and one of my friends, I wrote the basic Arduino code that will bring the robotic arm to life.
I started by mapping out the essential movements and pin assignments, making sure the logic matched to the motion. The process tested my understanding of both hardware and software, but having guidance made it smoother.
The result may hopefully work: the arm should responds to input, and the framework is in place for more advanced features. Happy rn :>

12/30/2025 11 AM - searching for components

After completing the design and coding foundation, I turned my attention to sourcing the actual components. Today I spent time browsing Daraz, comparing cheaper options and checking specifications to make sure everything matched the requirements of my robotic arm.
I carefully reviewed motors, controllers, wiring, and structural materials, looking down the list until I had a clear set of parts that fit both the design and budget. This marks the point where the project shifts from planning and digital modeling into preparing for the physical build.
With the parts now finalized, the next step i will upload everything completely to github

12/30/2025 12 PM - completed everything and uploated in github

The project reached a full stop for now, the design and development everything. I finalized every part of the robotic arm from sketches and 3D models to the controller and Arduino code and made sure all documentation was complete.
Once everything was organized, I uploaded the entire set of files to GitHub. The repository now includes the final 3D models, the code, the bill of materials, and all supporting documentation ( ie the Readme ). It’s a complete record of the build process, ready for reference, collaboration, or future improvements.
This marks the end of the design. With everything documented and shared, the next chapter will be the physical build and testing, really excited to build it ( yay )