4xiDraw Drawing machine

thingiverse

My wife spotted the new AxiDraw and immediately fell in love with it. Unfortunately, they won't start shipping until June, so I decided to build my own version during the Easter break. I'm not done yet, but progress is being made, and as everything seems to be coming together nicely, I think it's time to share it. Since AxiDraw is an Open Source project, I hope I'm not trespassing on anyone's territory (if so, please let me know). Please note that my build isn't fully functional yet, so I can't make any claims about its performance. My wife and I were hooked after watching the online demo video. My first prototype is based on laser-cut parts, but my plan is to create a fully 3D printed version. STEP source files and STLs are available for download. Some parts may need to be rotated to print without supports, so make sure to check the orientation before printing. Alternatively, you can use the Onshape public document to create your own AxiDraw design: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/236f46681d1cbe31f6d52db0/w/5948c0b4f86507971afed68c Now it's getting exciting... watch this video of my build in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V3bHmOuxTI&feature=em-upload_owner with the new motor mounts that hold the motors down instead of up. And here's a video of my AxiDraw drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPq4ciNnNnw Update: * I've improved the pen holder, carriage, and belt tensioner. * I added a taller part for those with 48mm tall stepper motors. You can find more building details and links to code on Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/id/4xiDraw/ Check out this 3D view of my complete system: http://a360.co/1N6b6tD Thanks to Zerginator user, who created a FreeCAD model assembly and is kindly sharing it with us: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0IYEtpw-9WNYWxpWlduVDdLMUk/view?usp=sharing I've also created a new set of motor mounts for using a 40x20 aluminum extrusion instead of threaded rods, which provides a more solid build: (newEnd40x201.stl) Post-Printing: * Bill of materials: + 2 Nema 17 stepper motors + 4 8mm smooth rods (two 400mm-long and two 320mm-long) + 8 LM8UU bearings + 2 GT2 pulleys + 10 F623ZZ bearings + 1 micro servo SG90 (plus a 250mm cable extender) + 1 Arduino UNO + 1 CNCshield + 2 Pololu stepsticks + 1 GT2 belt (1.4 meters long) + 2 M10 threaded rods (400mm-long each) + 8 M10 nuts + 8 30mm M3 screws with nuts + 8 6mm M3 screws + 4 16mm M3 screws with nuts + 4 M3 washers + 2 4mm OD, 100mm-long carbon fiber tubes + 2 15mm M3 screws + 1 12V 2A power supply + 1 USB cable + 1 felt tip pen (or many for more fun) Note: Stepper motors should be 40mm or shorter, unless you're using the taller parts I created later for some users with 48mm tall steppers (like those used in 3D printers).