3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

ABSTRACT

In this project I will show you how to easily build your own low-cost 3 axis cnc
CNC Plotter forX, Y axis& Z axis. we will use stepper motors and rails from two DVD
/ CD ROMs! Drawing area will be max 1.5*1 ft.
With the advancement of technology, demand for Computer Numerical Control
(CNC) plotter machines in Educational Institutions and Laboratories is rapidly rising.
Low cost manufacture of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has become a basic need in
electronics laboratories, for mechanical engineering students and for electronics
hobbyists. This paper will present an affordable model of a CNC plotter machine which
is able to draw a circuit layout on PCB or any other solid surface using simple algorithm
and available components. At first the user needs to convert any image file or text file
into G code using Inks pace software and then feed it to the machine using Processing
software. Arduino Uno with an ATmega328P microcontroller is used as the control
device for this project. The microcontroller converts G-code into a set of machine
language instruction to be sent to the motor driver of the CNC plotter machine.
Key words

belt drive, stepper motor, servo motor, G-code, Microcontroller Unit

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

INTRODUCTION

Cost of the project and increase Reliability and Flexibility. In we have replace pen
with mechanical tools drilling, grinding, machining etc. This will be used for soft
material printing or drawing .We have reduced the cost, in the setup of 3 axis CNC
plotter machine.
CNC plotter machine is described as it is based on Arduino controller and CNC
shield. CNC is computer numerical control machine. G codes are preparatory Function.
G codes are pre-defining Function Associated with the movement on machine axes. In
CNC Plotter Machine only G codes are used. G codes are giving the Direction to move
the pen in X, Y, Z directions. Pen can be changed by tools of drilling, laser cutting tool,
milling it can be worked, if it is made in large size. The aim of over is to make a mini
CNC plotter machine which is capable to draw difficult design in paper or surface of
metal, To cut it with a great accuracy. We have used 3 stepper motors with lead screw in
Cartesian coordinate X, Y, Z directions. Stepper motor is convert digital pulse into lead
screw rotations. Stepper drivers are used to give command to the system. The main aim
is to fabricate a 3 axis CNC plotter Machine to draw an object with using G codes. We
also work on to reduced.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

LITERATURE REVIEW:

Various authors have studied the development of such machines. ‘Fabrication of Low
Cost 3-Axis CNC Plotter Machine.
Venkata Krishna Pabulum et al. Nov 2010: “Design & Implementation of a three Dimensional CNC Machine”. It
increases the demand for flexibility and cutting with respect to edge quality. It maintains the accuracy and reliability
for complex shapes. In this system they used visual C# as a language on .NET platform. In this there are three main
kinds of computerized numerical controllers: 1.Multiprocessor with ASIC, 2. PC front end, 3. Motion control card
with PC. The design of this system is user-friendly one which give accurate results and also flexible to users. RTOS
is very costlier and not user friendly and also with such system it is not possible to implement on any general PC,
where user has to purchase the operating system.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Part list

• Stepper motor
• Servo motor
• Arduino Uno board
• Stepper motor driver
• CNC Shield
• Belt
• Pulley
• Pen or pencil
• Aluminum pipe
• Usb cable
• Power supply
• Wires
• Axis cable
• pvc sheet

Component details
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

• Arduino Uno

Arduino will be define as, it is received the command or data from the computer and
with the help of USB cable. It is mounted on CNC shield; it will be transfer data from
Arduino to CNC shield with using stepper driver. Arduino UNO is a microcontroller
board, it contains everything needed to support the microcontroller, simply connect it
to a computer with a USB cable and a power source. It controls the position of stepper
motor with help of a program. It is open source platform based on easy to use hardware
and software. Digital and analog input/output pins which can interface into various
expansion board and other circuits and microcontroller with complementary
components that helps in programming and incorporation into other circuits . Current
supplied 5 volts with USBcable.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Arduino UNO
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

• Stepper Driver:
Stepper motor drivers are specifically designed to drive stepper motors, which are capable of
continuous rotation with precise position control, even without a feedback system. They offer
adjustable current control and multiple step resolutions, and they feature built-in translators that
allow a stepper motor to be controlled with simple step and direction inputs. In this project we use
two drivers for the two stepper motors.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

➢ Mini Servomotor:

• A servo motor is an entirely different story the function of the servo is

to receive a control signal that represents a desired output position of the
servo shift and apply power to its Dc motor until its shaft turns to that
position

Servo Motor
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

➢ Stepper Motors

Stepper can be converted digital pulse in to a movement of pen with respect to axis X,
Y, Z direction.
A stepper motor is a brushless motor that divides a full rotation into a number of equal
steps, the stepper motor is known by its property to convert a number of impulses into
a defined increment in the shaft position.
Each pulses move the shaft through a fixed angle. We have used 2 stepper motors with
cnc timing belt with pulley. Motor output will be in the form of rotation of belt driving.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Heat sink:
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

CNC Timing Belt:

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

CNC Shield :

CNC shield V 3.0 can be used as drive expansion board for engraving CNC machine. It has 4 slots
in the board for stepper motor drive modules that can drive 4 stepper motors. Each stepper motor
need two IO port only, that is to say, 6 IO ports can quite well to manage three stepper motors as
shown in Figure. It is very convenient to use with the microcontroller (Arduino) such that it is
placed above the Arduino.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Working process

Step 1: stepper motor assembly:

First step to start building this CNC machine is to assemble two stepper motors. Use the
screwdriver to open them and take off them the rails. Next step is to choose our base
for this CNC machine.

Step 2: X and Y axis

In first image above you will see the Y axis of our CNC machine. Attach it on your
surface, in this part you will need some screws and nuts in second image you will see
the X and Y axis. The X axis is attached to two plastic parts that I took from remaining
'garbage' stuff. I cut it to fit the construction. This is an easy procedure. Just make sure
to put the Y axis straight to CNC base and the X axis vertically in this (90 degrees)
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Step 3: The Z axis

That's the most difficult part of our construction. You will need something to attach it
on X axis, a flat surface. On that surface you will attach the servo motor (Z axis) and
the pen base. Pen (or pencil) must be able to move up and down with the help of servo
motor .Watch the above image to understand what you need to do to build Z axis.
Servo motor must be able to move up and down the pen.

Step 4: Paper base (work piece)

Now you will have to attach a wood (or plastic) surface on Y axis (1.5 ft. x 1 ft.)Will
be fine).On this you will put the paper piece to print your texts or images Remember,
printing or drawing area is1 . 5 ft* 1 f t.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Step 5: The Circuit

Now that we have our contraction ready, it's time to build the circuit and test stepper
motors (X and Y axis).Watch the above image with breadboard circuit schematic.
Steppers motors wiring is something that need patient. On next step you will find a
'testing' code for x and y axis. If yours steppers doesn't work properly you must find
correct working combination by changing the cables between them and the L293D IC
On mine CNC , X axis motor connection are: stepper driver A: Pins 1 and 3 & B: 2 and
4, but on Y axis motor connection are A: 1 and 2 & B: 3 and4

Step 6: Testing X, Y axis& Z axis movement

Here is the X and Y axis testing code embedded using code bender For X axis: For Y
axis: If you see any movement here that means that the stepper motors wiring is correct.
In Z axis testing code embedded using pen or pencil up & down direction without
vibration.

Step 7: Uploading the CNC code

Here is the main CNC code embedded using code bender In this part you will see your
pen goes up. If don't, change pen Up and pen Down variables that controlling the servo
motor. Press the "Run on Arduino" button and program your board from your browser!
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Step 8: Make your own G code file

To make g code files that are compatible with this CNC machine you have to use the
benbox. benbox is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on
Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It is used by design professionals and hobbyists
worldwide, for creating a wide variety of graphics such as illustrations, icons, logos,
diagrams, maps and web graphics. benbox uses the W3C open standard SVG (Scalable
Vector Graphics) as its native format, and is free and open-source software. Download
and install benbox from here (Important: download latest version) Now you need to
install an Add-on that enables the export images to g code files. This adds on can be
found here with installation notes.

➢ Export as g code

Final, go to file menu, click save as and select g code. Click ok on next window. That's it! Ready
to go! Use the gctrl.pde app to print the g code file on your new Arduino CNC Plotter!
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Machine design
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

METHODOLOGY

We have supply the current in Arduino with USB DATA cable to transfer Data from
Computer to Arduino Board. Here we have used 3 Stepper Drivers to supply the G
codes in Sequence to the stepper motors. Arduino will be mounted on CNC shield. CNC
shield will be distributing the Current in the command of Arduino. CNC shield will be
converting the command of G codes in digital pulse by Stepper motor. In X direction
Stepper motor will be move left and Right ,Y direction stepper motor will be move in
front and back direction, Z direction Stepper motor will be move in Up and down. We
have made much difficult design via using this machine. The accuracy of this machines
result is very high. So we have used in industry to reduce the cost of design printing
and maintain accuracy level. Drafting and Scaling of CNC Plotter machine is very
precious.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

➢ Machine prototype design :

DESIGN OF CNC CACHINE

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

PROBLEMDEFINITION
• The available Arduino controlled CNC machines are having only 2 axis movement.

• The structure is weak and can machine foam only.

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

WORKING
We have supply the current in Arduino with USB DATA cable to transfer Data from
Computer to Arduino Board. Here we have used 3 Stepper Drivers to supply the G
codes in Sequence to the stepper motors. Arduino will be mounted on CNC shield. CNC
shield will be distributing the Current in the command of Arduino. CNC shield will be
converting the command of G codes in digital pulse by Stepper motor. In X direction
Stepper motor will be move left and Right ,Y direction stepper motor will be move in
front and back direction, Z direction Stepper motor will be move in Up and down[2].
We have made much difficult design via using this machine. The accuracy of these
machines results is very high. So we have used in industry to reduce the cost of design
printing and maintain accuracy level. Drafting and Scaling of CNC Plotter machine is
very precious.

Main parts of CNCplotter

Mini CNC Plotter Machine is worked on input as G codes of Design and Converting it
via use of Arduino, Stepper Drivers, CNC Shield, Stepper Motor in to a Rotation of
Lead screw. We have work on to maintain lowest cost of our project. We have design
a simple construction of our project. This is easier way to use stepper motor with lead
screw, CNC shield, Stepper drivers, Arduino Board, etc. The Setup of machine
inflexible that’s why it will be easily transported and Maintenance time is short. The
basic diagram of CNC Plotter machine is shown in figure.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

BLOCK DIAGRAM
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Software description:
Arduino

Arduino Microcontroller (Here Arduino Uno R3 used) controls the position of the stepper motors
with the help of program instructions. This microcontroller is an open source platform based on both
hardware and software that very easy to use. It has 14 digital and 6 analog input/output pins that can
incorporate into various expansion boards.

.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Benbox:
• the Benbox Laser Engraver as a CNC-platform for laser engraving We would like to tell you about
the functionality of the Benbox Laser Engraver,
• We used the settings found on the Internet. The positioning of the platform is precise, its motion is
not as rapid as in a 3D-printer. However, when you change at least one of the variables, the
platform starts to jerk and moves less accurately. We think that the parameters for the steppers
windings are designed for low weight and speed.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

SERIAL PORT transfers commands to the laser. LOW LIGHT INT and INTENSITY are laser exposure intensity
(powers of the number two). SPEED is in mm/s. TIME needed for the laser exposure in ms.

CARVE MODE has the following parameters:

1. SCAN BY LINE — engraving goes from left to right, then the laser moves to the next line to the left end position
and again lead the line from left to right.
2. Z-SHAPED — engraving goes from left to right and then from right to left.
3. OUTLINE — outlining of the image contours.

Then it is offered to select the exposure parameters:

DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS. DISCRETE is engraving by shading. CONTINUOUS is outlining without shading.
But the difference between the modes is hardly noticeable. Engravings samples: 7 —Discrete, 6 and the others —
Continuous.
Their engraving time differs: The DISCRETE engraving time is 2-3 times longer. The SCAN BY LINE engraving is
better than BY Z-SHAPED.
OUTLINE has two more settings: POLYLINE and CURVE. No visible difference at all.
LASER is laser engraving. SERVO is pencil drawing. It is possible to fix a pencil in this constructor and draw with
a pencil.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Programming in Arduino
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Wiring Diagram

This section will discuss the electronic parts and wiring which is needed for designing and building
our CNC plotter machine. So, the main electronic component required are one Arduino UNO R3,
one CNC V3 Shield with A4988 Driver Module with Heat sink for Arduino, stepper motors, D.C.
power supply, pen holder, some wires and USB to serial adapter. These are some of the electronics
which are needed for the wiring system.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Advantages

1. CNC machines can be used continuously 24×7 throughout the year and only need
to be switched off for occasional maintenance.
2. CNC machines are programmed with a design which can then be manufactured
hundreds or even thousands of times. Each manufactured product will be exactly the
same.
3. Less skilled/trained people can operate CNC machines unlike manual lathes /
milling machines etc. which need skilled engineers.
4. CNC machines can be updated by improving the software used to drive the machines

5. Training for correct use of CNC machines is available through the use of ‘virtual
software’. This software is like a computer game that allows the operator to practice
using the CNC machine on the screen of computer.
6. Modern design software allows the designer to simulate the manufacture of his/her
idea. There is no need to make a prototype or a model. This saves time and money.
7. One person can supervise many CNC machines as once they are programmed they
can usually be left to work by themselves. Only the cutting tools need replacement
occasionally.
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Disadvantages
• The machine runs in a slow pace and generates excess heat which causes
the heat sink to be heated quickly.

• A slight error may remain on the image file after it has been plotted due
to one side of the Y-axis fixed to the moving mechanism and the other
end is free to move.

• The Z-axis is not very rigid so it causes slight vibration.

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Application

1. Drawing

2. Picture art

3. Engineering design

4. Parts label number

3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

Cost estimation

Sr. No. Parts Cost Rs.

1 Cd/Dvd drive
2 Servo motor
3 Dvd stepper motor
4 Axis cable
5 Stepper motor driver
6 Cnc shield
7 Belt
8 Arduino uno board
9 Screw
10 Aluminum pipe
11 Shaft
12 Pen or pencil
13 Wire
14 Clamp
15 USB cable
16 Power cable
17 On/off switch
18 BLDC fan
19 Pulley
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

FUTURE SCOPE
• The pen of the machine can be replaced by a laser to make it work like a laser
engraving or cutting machine. Engraving machine can be used on wood. The
pen can also be replaced with a powerful drill so that it can be used for both
milling and drilling purposes.

• The servo can be replaced with a stepper motor and the pen with a 3-D pen to
make it a 3-D printer which can print objects with dimensions. By extrapolation
of the axes, the working area of the machine can be extended keeping the
algorithm unaltered
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

CONCLUSION

In this paper we have presented the concept of a low cost three-axis mini

CNC plotter. The existing CNC machines are of high cost, difficult to maintain and requires highly

skilled operators. Our CNC plotter overcomes these problems. It is of low cost and easy

to control and there is no need of highly skilled operators. It can be used for long hours at a

stretch Which is not possible in existing ones? It is hoped to extend this work for future

development.

Working video of our project is available on following links:-

1. https://youtu.be/ya3Q90oo8y0
2. https://youtu.be/dpj-0EKyKjC
3 axis CNC plotter machine 2020-2021

REFERENCES

[1] V.K. Pabolu and K.N.H. Shrinivas, "Design and implementation of a three
-dimensional CNC machine", Int. J. Computer Science and Engineering, vol. 2,pp.
2567-2570 2010
.[2] I. Nae and T. Andrei, "Designing and building a CNC router using steppermotors",
Serial Technical, vo. LXII, pp. 55-62, 2010
.[3] I. Pahole, L. Rataj, M. Ficko, S. Klancnik, S.Brezovnik, M.Brezocnik, and J. Balic,
"Construction and evaluation of low cost table CNC milling machine", Scientific
Bulletin, Series C: Mehcanics, Tribology, MachineManufacturing Technology, vol.
XXIII, pp. 1-7, 2009.

YOU TUBE
https://youtu.be/qavxmmslwfw
DOWNLOAD ALL THE FILE FROM THIS LINK
https://drive .google.com/open?id=ob3qwro2bgnw8ykxtvgvfnfbfmgc