Simplest CNC Plotter Making

An efficient and most useful CLC Plotter using old printer machines. CLC Plotter is A graphics printer that draws images with pens. Plotters actually draw point-to-point lines directly from vector graphics files. The plotter was the first computer output device that could print graphics as well as accommodate full-size engineering and architectural drawings. Using multiple colored pens, plotters were also able to print in color long before inkjet printers became an alternative.

Here we are building one that is easy and low cost to build.

1) Old Printer 2-Nos

2)Aluminum Frame

3)Arduino Uno R3

4)CNC Shield V3

5)A4988 Stepper motor Driver 2-Nos

6)Servo motor SG90

6)Plastic Box

7)12v charging Socket

8)USB socket 2-Nos

9)Nut Bolt 8-Nos

10)Wire

Soldering Iron

Lead

Soldering Flux

Screwdriver

Driller

1)Take both stepper set of old printer using proper tools.

2)Paint the stepper set using spray paint.

3)Arrange a frame for fixing the stepper set using Aluminum square pipe. Also paint it.

Fix the stepper set on the frame .( X&Y Axis)

Fix it in both X-axis and Y-axis.

• Make a pen holder which can be moved up and down.
• Here I used a pen holder of compass .
• A servo motor is given to control the movement of pen.
• A spring is given for better motion.

Fix the pen holder part in the Y-axis .

Take the connection wires from the motors through the aluminum square pipe.

Fix CNC shield V3 on Arduino UNO R3(Here both the boards have same size).

A4988 Stepper motor Driver for controlling both the X and Y axis Stepper motor. Connect the motor drivers to the CNC shield as shown in pic. Using 6 jumper pins connect the pins under the driver board area.

Put the Board inside the Plastic box and also given a cooling fan inside the case. Give few holes as shown in picture for uploading code and also for power supply.

Fix a 12v charging socket on CNC sheild V3

Give two USB Female ports on the plastic case to connect X-axis motor control and Y-axis motor control. The pins board and USB female port is connected using jumper cables

Fix a USB male port on the wires from the stepper motors and connect it to the controller box.

Screw and fix a base sheet on the bottom of the CLC plotter, Plywood used .

Fix a pen on the pen holder and connect it to Laptop.

Convert the photo and text into INK file using INKSCAP software.

Upload this image INK file using Universal Gcode sender software

Here i used mostly components without a proper circuit board .You can build it in much better and efficient way using a PCB. Therefore,in case you want your own PCB, you can obtain through this link on PCBWay.com. You can also order good quality PCBS from PCBWay.com at low cost. In addition to the standard pcbs, we could also support advanced Pcbs, FPC/rigid -flex Pcbs, rapid-rpototyping and other related services that could meet your needs to the most extent.

PCB order steps on PCBWay:

• Visit the website: www.pcbway.com
• Click PCB Instant QuoteClick
• quick-order PCB Upload the gerber file by clicking "+Add Gerber File" and wait until the gerber file is finished uploading
• Set the PCB specifications as you wish, starting from the number of PCBs, the number of layers, thickness, color and others.
• After that, look at the left, it will display the estimated cost
• processing time and delivery service selected
• Click Save to cart

It's an example of working of CLC plotter.

Detailed video is available in my YouTube video channel

https://youtu.be/twBLrJGT9wA