DFRobot 9g Clutch Servo - 180°, 1.2kg

When learning about Electronics and the many different components, modules and even the various tools involved, one of the most enjoyable components to learn about are Servo Motors, since these act in a similar way to standard motors, but require some more advanced techniques. Fortunately, this higher level of complexity, using PWM instead of just straight voltage and current, also allows for some interesting effects, such as precision angle control, strong holding power, as well as multi-axis turret style mountings to give cameras and other sensors the freedom to search, explore and track their environments.

These DFRobot 9g Clutch Servos are limited to 180° and offer a holding torque of around 1.2kg, but are designed in a rather unique way, with an integrated clutch mechanism that helps it be more versatile, protecting it from damage and allowing for very cool applications. Compared to standard Servo Motors, which are built to reach an exact rotational position or die trying – quite literally, as they would typically burn out or otherwise break in typical applications – the clutch in these servos allow the servo arm to be moved out of place with force, after which the servo can pick up exactly where it left off, reposition itself and continue standard operations. And finally, to top it all off, these servos are also equipped with an automatic shutdown if they detect that the arm has been blocked for more than five seconds, keeping them extra safe even if your project falls victim to forces that you aren’t expecting, making it perfect for use cases in Robotics, RC vehicles and much more.

Typical Applications for DFRobot 180° 9g Clutch Servos:

The unique clutch capabilities of this servo makes it perfect for robotics and other applications in which you don’t always know precisely how your motors are going to be used, such as with robotic hands, grabber claws and other projects that may be subject to brand new variables in each test run. In these situations, instead of having to carefully calibrate the servo motors according to what is being grabbed, these clutch servo motors can apply the grip, employ the use of the clutch if the item being grabbed is too big, and hopefully still grab the object with a pretty strong force, rather than either burning out, breaking or letting go entirely as a typical servo might in the same situation.

As self-proclaimed “Robo-holics”, DFRobot is a company comprised of over 100 staff members, of which 30% are engineers who love to build robots. It was started in 2008 with the goal of embracing and promoting open-source hardware, with a core focus on Arduino, Raspberry Pi and their very own LattePanda development boards. Since then, DFRobot have manufactured over 1300 unique modules, sensors and components that all work together and complement each other, allowing users like us to enjoy a full spectrum of cutting edge robotics and electronics without having to pay premium prices.

With the primary goal of developing and manufacturing great quality products, while making them accessible to as many people as possible, DFRobot are rapidly becoming one of the most common-place brands in the world of open-source robotics and electronics. With more than 1300 products developed in-house, and an impressive range of different categories and specialisations, there are few brands in the world who can compete in terms of quality, accessibility and genuine innovation.