Introduction: Cigarette Rolling Machine

This instructable was created in fulfillment of the project requirement of the Makecourse at the University of South Florida (www.makecourse.com)

This guide will show you how to 3-D Print and assemble your very own cigarette rolling machine!

Step 1: Print Your Box

First, you will want to print the box into which all of your other pieces will be assembled.

Attached below is the .stl file.

Step 2: Print the Rollers

You will need to print two copies of the Roller.stl file.

Step 3: Print the Swing Arms

You will need to print two copies of the swingArm.stl file as well.

Step 4: Print Your Custom Servo Horn

Print one copy of the custom servo arm, horn.stl file below.

Step 5: Print Your Gears

You will want to print the attached gears as follows:

2 x spurGearSmall.stl

1 x spurGearLarge.stl

Step 6: Purchase Wooden Dowels

Purchase a package of 3/16" wooden dowels from your local craft store or Michaels.com, and then cut them to the following lengths:

2 ~ +/- 10mm

2 ~ +/- 24mm

2 ~ +/- 28mm

1 ~ +/- 84mm

Step 7: File Longest Paired Dowels

Take the two dowels that you cut to ~28mm, and file the last 4mm of one side each into a square shape, with sides approximately 3mm in length.

Step 8: Purchase Your Motors

For this projects, you will need the following two motors:

1 x 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor w/ ULN2003 Driver

1 x SG90 9G Servo Motor

both can be purchased online at eBay.com or similar vendors.

Step 9: Purchase Your Arduino

You will want to buy an Arduino UNO for this project.

It can be purchase from eBay.com or many other online electronics vendors.

Step 10: Find a Remote

Using any Infrared Remote Control, you are able to send signals to this device, however if you purchase the Arduino Kit available at MakeCourse.com, it will come with the remote that will allow the provided code to function as is.

NOTE: This kit also includes all of the other component necessary for this project. (Except for roller apron)

Step 11: Purchase Your Roller Apron

You will need a plastic belt in order to load your tobacco, you can purchase one of these "roller aprons" at a local tobacco store, or online at RollingPaperDepot.com.

Step 12: ​ Fasten Your Stepper Motor

Using two machine screws and nuts, fasten your stepper motor to the corresponding mounts at the left end of the box.

Using two #8-32 x 1/2" machine screws (which can be purchased from your local hardware store, or at McMaster-Carr.com), fasten your stepper motor to the corresponding mounts at the left end of the box.


NOTE: Due to clearance issues, you will want to slide your
large spur gear onto the stepper motor nub before securing it into position.

Step 13: Fasten Your Servo Motor

Using two #1-72 x 1/4" machine screws and nuts (which can be purchased from your local hardware store, or at McMaster-Carr.com), fasten your servo motor to the corresponding mounts offset just left of center of the box.

NOTE: Now would also be an ideal time to attach your custom printed horn to your servo.

Step 14: Mount Your First Roller

Use the ~24mm unshaven dowel on the right side, and the ~28mm shaven dowel on the left with the squared end left protruding.

NOTE: Be sure that you've slid your rolling apron over the roller before completely mounting it to your box.

Step 15: Mount Your Swing Arms

NOTE: Use the two shortest dowels to mount both swing arms on each side mount.

Step 16: Mount Your Second Roller

Use the ~24mm unshaven dowel on the right side, and the ~28mm shaven dowel on the left with the squared end left protruding.

NOTE: Be sure that you've slid your rolling apron over the roller before completely mounting it to your box.

Step 17: Connect Your Swing Arms to Your Servo

Taking your longest wooden dowel, ~84mm, slide it through both of your swing arms as well as your custom servo horn.

Step 18: Press on Your Drive Gears

Press each of your smaller gears onto the squared end of your driving rods.

Step 19: Wire Up Your Arduino and Components

Wire up all components as shown in the wiring diagram above, with the only exception being that the stepper motor is run through the ULN2003 driver which is actually connected to pins 8 through 11, as well as connected to the ground and power rail of the breadboard.

Step 20: Upload the Arduino Code

Upload the arduino sketch attached.

Step 21: Viola!

Power up your arduino, and then using your remote (if purchased at MakeCourse.com), press the "1" button in order to open the roller arms allowing you to load your tobacco.

Once loaded, pressing the "2" button will close the arms.

A press on the "3" button will engage the stepper motor to spin the rollers together, forming a nice round cigarette.

In the video, I do not have an apron on my rollers, but I demonstrate what it would look like if I did.

A final press on the "1" button opens the arms for a final time for you to retrieve your nicely rolled cigarette!

Happy Making....

ENJOY!