Description
For our PCB design, we are using it to integrate a precision load cell into the robot’s gripping
mechanism, creating a closed-loop feedback system for pick-and-place operations.
By processing real-time weight data at the edge, the system will enable the robot to
autonomously verify grasp-success, identify dropped items, and distinguish between different
object types based on mass. The PCB will serve as the central power distribution and signal
conditioning node, managing the interface between the robot’s current supply and the
sensitive analog instrumentation required for accurate force measurement.
PCB Layout
PCB Schematic:-
Approximate Location of Input/Output Wires and Positioning of PCB on arm:-
The purple tubes represent the pneumatic lines and are not directly related to the PC. They are included only to illustrate that the communication wires will be routed alongside them. The light blue wire is the RX-TX line, which carries the decoded load cell values from the Arduino Nano to the PC. The bundle of multicolored wires entering the gripper is connected to the load cell. The thick black wire supplies power to the board after the bottom half of the PCB steps down the voltage
PCB Board Layout:-
Parts List
| Part | Min. Quantity Required |
| 2-position screw terminal block (3.5 mm side entry) | 1 (J3) |
| Schottky diode (100V, 3A) | 1 (CR1) |
| 330 µH power inductor | 1 (L1) |
| LM2596 5V buck converter regulator IC | 1 (IC1) |
| 470 µF electrolytic capacitor (50V, SMD) | 1 (C9) |
| 180 µF, 35V polarized electrolytic capacitor | 1 (C3) |
| 680 Ω resistor (0603) | 1 (R7) |
| Red indicator LED (0805) | 1 (D1) |
| HX711 IC | 1 (U2) |
| 20 kΩ resistor (0603) | 1 (R1) |
| 8.2 kΩ resistor (0603) | 1 (R2) |
| 100 Ω resistors (0603) | 2 (R3, R4) |
| 10 kΩ resistors (0603) | 1 (R5) |
| 0.1 µF ceramic capacitors (0603) | 4 (C1, C4, C5, C8) |
| 10 µF ceramic capacitors (0603) | 2 (C6, C7) |
| NPN general-purpose transistors (MMBT4401, SOT-23) | 1 (Q1) |
| Feather-compatible stacking header pins | 2 (J1, J5) |
| 4-pin JST connectors (2.5 mm pitch) | 1 (J2) |
| 3-pin JST connectors (2.5 mm pitch) | 1 (JST-PH) |
| Arduino Nano R4 with headers | 1 |
| USB-to-TTL serial programming cable | 1 |
| 10 kg force load cell sensor | 1 |
0603 & 0805 are in Imperial units (1608 & 2012 Metric)