Summary of LESSONS LEARNED WHILE BUILDING A DIY PEN PLOTTER
Symon built a DIY pen plotter as a stepping stone to a CNC machine, using 2020 aluminum extrusions, lead screws, an Arduino with a CNC shield running GRBL, and design choices discussed with rationale and lessons learned. The project balances features useful for a future CNC with simpler options suitable for a low-cost, minimal plotter.
Parts used in the DIY Pen Plotter:
- 2020 aluminum extrusions
- Lead screws
- Arduino
- CNC shield for Arduino
- Stepper motors (implied for lead screw motion)
- Pen holder/pen mechanism
- GRBL firmware (runs on the Arduino)
- G-code sender or control software (implied)
There was a time when plotters were the pinnacle of computer graphics output. While they aren’t as common as they used to be, there are some advantages to having a plotter. [Symon] wanted a plotter and decided to make one from scratch. Truthfully, he wants to build a CNC machine, so the plotter is just a stepping stone. In fact, some of it may be a little much for just a plotter. Other design choices have worked for the plotter, but don’t look like they will work well for the eventual CNC design.
As an example, the plotter uses 2020 extrusions and lead screws. An Arduino with a CNC shield provides the brains. GRBL, of course, runs on the Arduino, so the whole machine runs fine with normal G-code. This post will be especially interesting if you want to build a plotter or something similar. We especially like that it covers the design rationale for each choice made It is great to learn from others successes and, of course, their mistakes.
If you really want just a plotter, you don’t have to spend much. You can even go super minimal if you want.
Source: LESSONS LEARNED WHILE BUILDING A DIY PEN PLOTTER
- What controller runs the plotter?
An Arduino with a CNC shield runs the plotter, using GRBL firmware. - Does the plotter use standard motion hardware?
Yes, it uses 2020 extrusions and lead screws for motion. - Can the machine accept normal G-code?
Yes, because it runs GRBL on the Arduino, it accepts standard G-code. - Is this plotter design intended as a final product?
No, Symon built it as a stepping stone toward a CNC machine; some choices are overkill for a simple plotter. - Can you build a cheaper or more minimal plotter?
Yes, the article notes you can build a very low-cost or super minimal plotter instead. - Does the article explain design decisions?
Yes, it covers the design rationale and lessons learned for each choice made.
