Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400)

Most people expect to program a robot at a screen. With the Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400), you can also take the arm by hand, walk it through the motion you want and let it repeat that motion. That one idea explains why this small desktop arm suits teachers, developers and small production teams alike.

The Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400) is available through this page, by quotation.

Background

Dobot and the desktop arm

Dobot is a robotics brand known for bringing robotic arms within reach of workshops, laboratories and classrooms, not only large factories. Its catalog runs from compact arms to humanoid and legged platforms. You can browse the wider range in the Dobot category. The MG400 belongs to the desktop end of that range, where the aim is to make automation practical on an ordinary bench.

Desktop arms grew from a simple need. Many tasks, such as moving a small part, pressing a button, sorting a component or holding a tool, do not need a large machine. They need a repeatable, easy-to-set-up arm that fits where people already work. The MG400 is built for that kind of job.

Positioning and key technology

The MG400 is an ultra compact desktop grade robotic arm with a footprint smaller than a piece of A4 size paper, and a cost effective option for smart automation tasks. It has four axes, a rated payload of 500 g with a maximum of 750 g, and a working radius of 440 mm. Drag-to-teach and collision detection are part of the standard feature set.

A vibration suppression algorithm is another technical point. It increases multi-joint motion stability time by 60% and reduces residual vibration by 70%. In practice, a small arm that settles quickly after each move is easier to use for precise placement work.

Technical Specifications

Specifications as published by the manufacturer; confirmed against the datasheet at quotation.

The manufacturer has not published the ingress protection rating, the noise level, the brake details, the certifications or the package contents; they are confirmed at quotation.

What makes the MG400 different from a larger industrial arm?

The first difference is space. A larger industrial arm usually needs a dedicated cell, a sturdy floor mount and careful planning. The MG400 sits on a desktop and has a base of 190 mm × 190 mm. It weighs 8 kg, so one person can move it from one workstation to another. That makes it practical for a teaching lab that shares equipment between classes, or for a small shop that changes its layout often.

The second difference is power. The arm accepts 100~240V AC at 50/60 Hz and draws 150W, so it runs from a standard outlet without special electrical work. The rated voltage is 48V. For a buyer planning a first automation project, these figures keep the installation side simple.

The third difference is what the arm is made for. Its payload is 500 g, with a maximum of 750 g, and its reach is 440 mm. That is not the territory of heavy palletizing or large welding work. It is the territory of light, repeatable handling where a repeatability of ±0.05 mm matters more than raw strength. Choosing the MG400 means choosing precision and convenience over brute capacity.

How is the MG400 programmed?

There are three routes, and you can choose according to who is using the arm. The first is drag-to-teach. You move the arm by hand through the path you want, and the arm records it. This suits people with no programming background, such as operators, students and technicians who know the task better than they know code.

The second is a graphical interface, which lets users build a sequence of actions without writing text. The third is Lua, a scripting language that gives developers finer control over logic and behavior. Together they suit developers of all levels, and a classroom can start with hand guiding and move on to scripting as skills grow.

For integration, the MG400 offers TCP/IP and Modbus TCP communication interfaces. Those are common protocols, so the arm can usually be coordinated with a computer, a controller or other equipment on the same network.

Safety-minded features also help here. Collision detection is listed among the standard features, which is useful when people are learning, testing new paths and working close to the arm. Any compliance requirement for your site should be raised when you request a quotation.

Who is the Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400) for?

Educators and training centers are a natural fit. A compact arm that can be taught by hand, programmed with a graphical interface and scripted in Lua covers beginners and advanced students with one machine. It also fits on a normal lab table.

Developers and research teams are a second group. Lua scripting and network interfaces give them a platform for testing ideas in motion control, vision-guided picking and small-scale automation. The ±0.05 mm repeatability gives them a dependable base to build on.

Small manufacturers and workshops are a third. If the task involves light parts, such as loading a small fixture, placing components, pressing or sorting, a desktop arm may be enough, and it avoids the cost and space of a larger system. Buyers who are exploring a different kind of robot, such as a humanoid or a legged platform, can look at other models in the Dobot range, since the MG400 is designed for fixed-position desktop work rather than mobility.

What is the Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400) used for?

1. Teaching robotics. Students learn kinematics, programming and automation on a real four-axis arm that fits on a desk.
2. Light pick and place. The arm moves small items between positions within its 440 mm working radius.
3. Prototyping automation. Engineers test a workflow on a compact arm before committing to a larger installation.
4. Repetitive bench tasks. Handling, sorting and positioning jobs that need the same motion many times benefit from the stated repeatability.
5. Research and development. Lua scripting and TCP/IP or Modbus TCP communication let developers connect the arm to their own software.
6. Demonstrations and exhibitions. Drag-to-teach makes it easy to show visitors how a robot learns a motion.

Pricing and Availability

We do not print prices on this page. Quotation is the way to buy: send us your application, your quantity and your site details, and we prepare an offer that fits. Delivery, customs and support are arranged with the quotation, so you see the full picture before you commit. The Dobot Dobot MG400 (Dobot MG400) is available on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many axes does the MG400 have?

The MG400 has 4 axes. The ranges of motion are ±160° for J1, -25°~85° for J2 and -25°~105° for J3.

What payload can the MG400 carry?

The payload is 500 g, with a maximum of 750 g. Choose your tooling with that limit in mind.

How precise is the MG400?

The repeatability is ±0.05 mm. Its vibration suppression algorithm also reduces residual vibration by 70%.

Can I program it without writing code?

Yes. You can teach the arm by dragging it by hand, or use the graphical interface. Lua is available for those who prefer scripting.

What power supply does it need?

The input is 100~240V AC at 50/60 Hz, the rated voltage is 48V and the power consumption is 150W.

What temperature can it work in?

The stated operating environment temperature is 0° ～ 40° C. Tell us about your site conditions when you request a quotation.

Where can I buy the MG400 and what does it cost?

You can buy it through this page by requesting a quotation. We do not show prices here; the offer, with delivery, customs and support, is prepared for your project.

Summary

The MG400 is a small arm that you can teach by hand and then program in code as your needs grow. It brings four axes, a 440 mm working radius, ±0.05 mm repeatability and standard network interfaces to a base of 190 mm × 190 mm. It is built for light, precise work on a bench rather than for heavy duty. If that fits your classroom, laboratory or workshop, this page is the starting point.