Forum - Recent Topics https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/ Discussion Board en-US Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:32:39 +0000 wpForo 60 Enquiry on mechanical files(2D CAD files and such) https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/enquiry-on-mechanical-files2d-cad-files-and-such/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:02:06 +0000 Dear OpenExo team,

Thank you for making the OpenExo project open source, and congratulations on your being accepted by Science Robotics! I am a grade 1 postgraduate student from Fudan University, China, trying to reproduce the hip exoskeleton hardware and have downloaded the CAD files from the repository.

However, I noticed that the mechanical files appear to include mainly SolidWorks part and assembly files (.SLDPRT / .SLDASM). For manufacturing, especially CNC machining, I could not find complete STEP files, 2D manufacturing drawings, threaded-hole callouts, or assembly drawings.

Would it be possible to share the following files for the hip belt assembly and machined parts?

1. STEP/STP files for all CNC-machined and 3D-printed parts
2. 2D manufacturing drawings or PDF drawings for the aluminum CNC parts
3. Threaded-hole specifications, including thread size, hole depth, and tapping depth
4. Assembly drawings or exploded views for the hip belt assembly
5. Any recommended tolerances, materials, and post-processing notes

In particular, I am trying to manufacture the aluminum ab/adduction blocks and want to avoid mistakes in threaded holes, hole sizes, and mating dimensions.

OpenExo is my life-saver. Just as you mentioned in your paper, most people(even researchers) lack full-stack capacity of making an exoskeleton from scratch. I saw your team has 11 people, which is incredible and prosperous, but we only have 2, our instructor asked us to go full-stack, but we even do not major in mechanics! Anyway, I really appreciate your work and would be really, really grateful for any additional manufacturing files or guidance you can provide.

Best regards,
Gao Siming

]]> Huge fan of OpenExo https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/enquiry-on-mechanical-files2d-cad-files-and-such/ When I was burning the motor program, I found that I couldn't achieve motor control at all, not even being able to control the motor's movement. However, when I used the CubeMars upper computer, I was able to achieve motor control. Why is this? How... https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/when-i-was-burning-the-motor-program-i-found-that-i-couldnt-achieve-motor-control-at-all-not-even-being-able-to-control-the-motors-movement-however-when-i-used-the-cubemars-upper-computer-i-w/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:29:37 +0000 When I was burning the motor program, I found that I couldn't achieve motor control at all, not even being able to control the motor's movement. However, when I used the CubeMars upper computer, I was able to achieve motor control. Why is this? How should I debug to control the motor through Teensy? Can anyone help me? Thank you very much!

]]> iive https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/when-i-was-burning-the-motor-program-i-found-that-i-couldnt-achieve-motor-control-at-all-not-even-being-able-to-control-the-motors-movement-however-when-i-used-the-cubemars-upper-computer-i-w/ Activation of the PID function https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/motors-and-sensors/activation-of-the-pid-function/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:03:17 +0000 Is it mandatory to install a torque sensor to enable PID control？

]]> wuyang https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/motors-and-sensors/activation-of-the-pid-function/ Mechanical Testing for 3D Printed Motor Mounts https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/mechanical-testing-for-3d-printed-motor-mounts/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:27:32 +0000 Hi,

I am currently experimenting with and validating different 3D printing materials for the 3D Printed Motor Mounts. I was wondering if you could share what tests you conducted to validate your design using the Onyx filament.

I am specifically focusing on the hip ad/abduction block (both the hip and leg sides), as well as the motor-to-leg shell interface. What mechanical tests would you recommend for these components? Additionally, based on your testing and experience with OpenExo, what are the primary load cases acting on these parts?

Thanks,
Lauren

]]> laudew https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/mechanical-testing-for-3d-printed-motor-mounts/ Using FSR, but the motor torque is not controlled https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/motors-and-sensors/using-fsr-but-the-motor-torque-is-not-controlled/ Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:20:29 +0000 Dear Developer,

We are trying to control a motor using FSR with the original v2.0 code. We have set the torque to 0.5 N·m via the SD card. However, when controlling the motor through the GUI, the output torque becomes extremely large and uncontrollable. Even after increasing the current limit of the adjustable power supply from 24V/2A to 24V/5A, the current hits the upper limit instantly. Could you please advise on how to resolve this issue? Thank you very much for your help.

]]> Huang_Enghong https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/motors-and-sensors/using-fsr-but-the-motor-torque-is-not-controlled/ After we have completed the testing according to the assembly manual on the forum, we are ready to install the exoskeleton on the human body for testing. Could you please tell me what are the safe and effective steps to follow? https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/after-we-have-completed-the-testing-according-to-the-assembly-manual-on-the-forum-we-are-ready-to-install-the-exoskeleton-on-the-human-body-for-testing-could-you-please-tell-me-what-are-the-safe-and/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:02:29 +0000 After we have completed the testing according to the assembly manual on the forum, we are ready to install the exoskeleton on the human body for testing. Could you please tell me what are the safe and effective steps to follow?

]]> wangchu https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/after-we-have-completed-the-testing-according-to-the-assembly-manual-on-the-forum-we-are-ready-to-install-the-exoskeleton-on-the-human-body-for-testing-could-you-please-tell-me-what-are-the-safe-and/ Elbow exo build guide? https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/elbow-exo-build-guide/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:37:52 +0000 There was a forum post related to a question about the elbow system that was mistakenly deleted (sorry!). 

Answer: We are currently working on the elbow build guide and expect to release it by the beginning of April. 

]]> Zachary Lerner https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/mechanical-parts/elbow-exo-build-guide/ After the test is completed, assistance cannot be provided. https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/after-the-test-is-completed-assistance-cannot-be-provided/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:25:27 +0000
Hello, regarding this open-source project, we assembled it based on your open-source materials. The steps for using the upper computer to conduct motor calibration are all normal. However, when we tried to use it directly, this exoskeleton device was unable to provide any assistance for human walking. We also removed the comment before the #define HEADLESS statement in the code, but it still didn't work. May I ask how this situation should be resolved? Do you have any programs that can directly assist in this matter that you could share?
]]> wangchu https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/after-the-test-is-completed-assistance-cannot-be-provided/ After assembly, there is no power assistance. https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/software/after-assembly-there-is-no-power-assistance/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:44:02 +0000
Hello, regarding this open-source project, we assembled it based on your open-source materials. The steps for using the upper computer to conduct motor calibration are all normal. However, when we tried to use it directly, this exoskeleton device was unable to provide any assistance for human walking. We also removed the comment before the #define HEADLESS statement in the code, but it still didn't work. May I ask how this situation should be resolved? Do you have any programs that can directly assist in this matter that you could share?
 
 
]]> wangchu https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/software/after-assembly-there-is-no-power-assistance/ i can not read SD_card.The debug output reads: "SD.begin() failed https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/i-can-not-read-sd_card-the-debug-output-reads-sd-begin-failed/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:28:34 +0000 i can not read SD_card,i need your help.
SD.begin(SD_SELECT) allways return false(Parselni.cpp: line 73 )
We know that SD_SELECT in the program is assigned the value of BUILTIN_SDCARD, and we tried to find the definition of BUILTIN_SDCARD. We learned that this value is not defined by the user but is inherent to the Teensy board. We added a print statement and found that BUILTIN_SDCARD is 254, and the CS pin in the SPI setup reads 3.3V instead of 0V. So far, we don't understand why SD.begin(SD_SELECT) returns false. This makes it difficult to proceed with our replication work because we cannot read the SD card's configuration parameters. Are there any solutions?

]]> huang_EnHong https://theopenexo.nau.edu/community/firmware/i-can-not-read-sd_card-the-debug-output-reads-sd-begin-failed/