$100 Zen Garden CNC Table Powered by Arduino

Hi all, here are some instructions to make a zen CNC plotter. I have seen them all around the internet but I see that they are very difficult and expensive to make. So, I wanted to make a table that was cheap and easy! For this project, I used an Arduino and two small stepper motors (from an Arduino kit) and homemade gantry system. So here it is!

Step 1: Buying the Materials

• Linear rail system $22.95 X2
  • https://www.amazon.com/Fenstore-Cylinder-Optical-S...

• Stepper motor $13.99
  • https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-28BYJ-48-ULN2003-Ste..

• Ardunio $11.86
  • https://www.amazon.com/Elegoo-EL-CB-001-ATmega328P...
• Timing belt and ends $13.99

  • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNPHDS5/ref=p...

• Magnets $9.49

  • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD2X45M/ref=p..

• Sand (art sand works best) you can get it at most craft stores.
• 4'/8' sheet plywood
• Stain / Paint
• Ball Baring

That's it!

Step 2: Arduino Wiring and Settup

1. First, I always like to set up a dry run for the Arduino since its the backbone of this project.
2. I followed this link to wire the motors and create the code.
3. Here is the code (below)
4. Wiring should look like the picture
5. Joystick should be plugged into + - and A0 and A1.

Step 3: Creating a Gantry System

1. I have attached the files to cut on a laser cutter
   1. I highly suggest to laser cut or CNC cut this. The slightest bit off and the gantry system will not slide smoothly.
2. I ended up screwing the whole gantry system to plywood for ease of assembly. But in the file are some ends for cutting.
3. I attached the timing belt to the gantry system blocks using wire and hot glue.
4. The middle block is where the magnet will be attached.

Step 4: Build the Table

• This is really up to you how you want to build this.
• I am planning, later on, to make one of the panels into a door for a drawer for quick maintenance. But for now, I'm attaching the gantry system by 2 by 3s across as seen in the picture.

• Cut list for my table is the following
• 4' by 8' plywood
  • Legs
    • 4 - 3" by (the total height you desire)
    • 4 - 2.5" by (the total height you desire)
      • After cutting I use a taper jig for aesthetic
      • Glue these together on right angle

• Walls
  • 2 - 12" by (the total length of the table you want - 1")
  • 2 - 12 by (the total length of the table you want - 2")
    • I glued and clamped these to the legs until I made a box.

• Tabletop
  • 4 - 5" by (the total length of the table + (the amount you want the lip to overhang *2))
    • Measure the thickness of the glass/acrylic and cut that depth as a groove on the end of the boards. This is to make a groove for the glass. (see picture)
    • Cut on a 45-degree angle
    • I put this together by biscuit joints.
• 1/8 ply
  • Inside length of the table.

• Paint!

Step 5: Put It All Together!

1. I taped around the edges of the plywood so the sand does not seep through.
2. I used command strips to hold the Arduino to the table
3. I screwed the joystick to the bottom of the lid.