Drawing Machine

youmagine

This project was a journey of discovery for learning to build a fully functional machine from the ground up. However, since this was my very first assembled machine ever, I had to jump between multiple instructions and do a lot of extra work to understand every step they explained. Therefore, I tried to include everything into these instructions so that it would be helpful and convenient for someone else to create this machine even if you're a beginner. This drawing machine is a small three-axis robot that controls a pen over a canvas. To move the horizontal x- and y-axes, the machine uses a single belt and two stepper motors in a configuration called h-bot, and the third one for moving the vertical z-axis (pen) up and down. For drawing or writing, since the pen orientation is variable, it's possible to use regular ballpoint pens, fountain pens or felt-tip pens. I built the machine using a 3D printer, recycled parts as much as possible, and ordered some of the parts from online stores. My operating system is Windows 10. As a starting point, I used instructions made by cyul (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1514145) and misan (https://www.instructables.com/id/4xiDraw/). The tutorial videos made by 3DMake (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhkN6gZW62WmhAbPMKPoFA) and MiguelBi (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2401997) were a great help during the assembling phase. For sure, I got the greatest help and support from the wonderful staff at FabLab Silkeborg (http://campusbindslevsplads.dk/index.php/fablab/), where this machine was built. By making this drawing machine you can learn some basics of digital fabrication and robotics. The project develops an understanding of hardware, firmware, and software. It involves 3D printing, ordering or recycling materials, mechanical and electronic assembling including soldering and simple wiring, and setting and adjusting firmware and software. Pay attention to rotate the 3D printed parts correctly before printing since some of them seem to be in the wrong orientation after uploading. You can find all the information and exhaustive description of building this machine from KatPit's Instructables page: https://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Your-Own-Drawing-Machine