Electronics enthusiasts looking for a new project to keep them busy this weekend may be interested in this excellent Arduino pen plotter which has been created using for rulers, 2 x NEMA 17 stepper motors, a pair of EasyDriver Modules and a little Arduino hardware and programming.
Kindly its creator Instructable user “Lingib” has published full instructions, and details on how to create your very own CNC Arduino powered pen plotter, via the link below.
Construction is simple. All you need is a wood saw, three twist drills, a screw-driver, a “rat-tail” file, and a soldering iron. While the software only supports point-to-point plotting, the plotter resolution and accuracy is more than sufficient for its intended purpose of creating water-color outlines.
Materials and Tools Required
To build this Arduino pen plotter, you will need a few basic materials and tools. The primary components include four rulers, which serve as the arms of the plotter, and two NEMA 17 stepper motors, which provide the necessary movement. Additionally, you will need a pair of EasyDriver Modules to control the stepper motors, and of course, an Arduino board to serve as the brain of the operation.
For the construction, the tools required are quite basic and likely already available in most DIY enthusiasts’ toolkits. These include a wood saw for cutting the rulers to the desired length, three twist drills for making precise holes, a screwdriver for assembling the parts, a “rat-tail” file for smoothing out any rough edges, and a soldering iron for connecting the electronic components.
Building and Programming the Plotter
The construction process is straightforward and can be completed in a few hours. Begin by cutting the rulers to the appropriate lengths and drilling holes for the screws and motors. Assemble the frame using the screws and ensure that everything is securely fastened. Next, attach the stepper motors to the frame and connect them to the EasyDriver Modules. Finally, connect the EasyDriver Modules to the Arduino board.
The software for the plotter is relatively simple and only supports point-to-point plotting. However, this is more than sufficient for creating detailed water-color outlines. The resolution and accuracy of the plotter are impressive, allowing for precise and intricate designs. The programming involves writing a code that controls the movement of the stepper motors based on the input coordinates. This code can be uploaded to the Arduino board using the Arduino IDE.
Applications and Enhancements
While the primary purpose of this plotter is to create water-color outlines, its applications can be extended to other areas as well. For instance, it can be used for drawing complex geometric patterns, creating custom artwork, or even for educational purposes to teach students about CNC machines and programming.
Moreover, there are several enhancements that can be made to this basic design. For example, you could upgrade the software to support more complex plotting techniques, such as continuous line drawing or shading. Additionally, you could add more axes of movement to create a 3D plotter, or incorporate different types of pens and brushes for varied artistic effects.
Source: AB : Instructables
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