How to Make Arduino Based Mini CNC Plotter Using DVD Drive

by CNC World

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Intro: How to Make Arduino Based Mini CNC Plotter Using DVD Drive

this a mini CNC 2D plotter made from old DVD drive and L293D motor shield very cheap but intresting

let see how to make

It is very easy to make all the step by step procedure is mention in this instructable

STEP 1: Video of CNC Machine Working

Lets see the video this video also cover step by step procedure how to assemble the machine

STEP 2: Material Need for This Project

1) 2 X SCRAP DVD DRIVE

2) 1 X ARDUINO UNO R3 / ARDUINO MEGA

3) 1 X L293D MOTOR SHIELD

4) 1 X SERVO MOTOR (TOWER PRO 9G)

5) JUMPER WIRES

6) SOME HARDWARE NUT BOTS ETC

7) DOUBLE SIDE 3M TAPE

Librairy For Adafruit Shield Driver Motors extract the file and past them to arduino/libraries

STEP 3: Assembling the Machine

Open the scrap DVD Drive and remove internal moving tray..

This tray having stepper mechanism on it this will act as our X-axis & Y-axis.

Go through the attached pictures for understanding how to assemble your machine.

make hole on empty DVD drive case mount our X-axis and Y-axis on respective DVD case with the help of nut bolts.

Now place them perpendicular

STEP 4: Wiring Details

watch the picture carefully and wire components accordingly

STEP 5: CNC Code for Arduino

upload the code to arduino using arduino IDE

STEP 6: G Code

To make gcode files that are compatible with this cnc machine you have to use the Inkscape.

Inkscape 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. Inkscape uses the W3C open standard SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as its native format,

and is free and open-source software. Download and install Inkscape from https://inkscape.org/en/download/windows/ (Important: download 0.48.5 version)

Now you need to install an Add-on that enables the export images to gcode files. This add on can be found here with installation notes.
https://github.com/martymcguire/inkscape-unicorn

please follow the video on you tube how to create G-code file

some ready made G-code files

STEP 7: Processing IDE Program (GCTRL)

Upload the gctrl file to processing IDE

and click on PLAY button in processing window.

first press 'p' to select you com port if you want

you can set jog speed by pressing 1,2, or 3 button

from keyboard press 'g' to load G-code file your machine is ready to plot

as soon as you hit enter by selecting g code file now you have done

your plotter is ready

thanks for your attention

181 Comments

ArifI16 7 years ago

please help .... my X axis stepper is not working .... :(

JohnPalacio 5 years ago

I have the same problem, do you know how to solved? Thanks!

tanvirmahadi 7 years ago

I Have tried Everything Every Formation you Give. But Nothing goes happen. My X axis doesn't work properly But Y Axis Works Perfectly...Why..??

I Interchange Every Possible Connection But Nothing Happened.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/628111479249911041/

Please See The Video And help me with Your Opinion... BertR15 ...CNC World ..:)

https://youtu.be/fzfBfp75e0k

JohnPalacio 5 years ago

I have the same problem, do you know how to solved? Thanks!

zttt 6 years ago


Hi, CNC World
great
I used an Arduino Uno for the project. What should I change to run this code for UNO version? Please upload the modified code for Arduino UNO R3.
Thank you.

RANDOM KNOWLEDGE 6 years ago

mine is sold to a Teacher, mr Sander from the Netherlands.....

Why? to teach his students, so cool.

vsk21 6 years ago

hi bert trying as you told but can you please tell me the zero point value

Of your one and also tell me your size of plotting and base

BertR16 6 years ago

Hi All,

I was wondering, does anyone uses a newer version of Inkscape and got it to work? On my Ubuntu laptop it's not possible to install another Inkscape version than the latest (0.91) and I don't know how to get Gcode with it.

Diy creator 6 years ago

Ya i will try it but
Can you tell me which value you have added for zero point
And stepspermm
Also what is your base and paper size

Diy creator 6 years ago

make a note:

I am vsk21 but i changed my profile

vsk21 6 years ago

Hi bert15
I am being trying hard to success cnc
But can you please tell me how to fix zero point in cnc code

And also tell me what is stepspermillimeter


Thanks

vsk21 6 years ago

hi bert sir please reply

BertR16 6 years ago

Sorry for the delay, was occupied elsewhere.

Fix zero point in cnc code: I assume you mean the Gcode? You can edit the Gcode with any text editor and look for "--x-home=0 --y-home=0". Try to play a little with it and see what it does. Also have a look at "G92 X0.00 Y0.00 Z0.00 (you are here)".

stepspermillimeter: Like it says: steps per millimeter (steppermotor steps....). To calibrate this: make a plot with a square of 25 x 25 mm in inkscape, plot is and measure with a ruler. Then adjust accordingly in your arduino code.

Good luck!

danielf272 6 years ago

hey, great tutorial, but for some reason, the steppers aren't moving. I have an external power supply(6v, 1000mA), the Arduino is communicating with my computer and the LED is turning on, but no movement. I've tried using the arrow keys to 'jog in x-y planes', but nothing happens.

Varadgh 6 years ago

Dear Bert sir :

as you suggested I have checked all comments but my browser is only showing comments upto 5mnths

But I have installed camotics and understood what it is

Can you tell me how to adjust setting in cnc code according to our need and stepper motor

Please tell me the basic changes I should do in my code according to the images I uploaded


the image of my model is in comment which I uploaded yesterday

Thanks for attention!!!

1more question ;ca the code of aqua maniac be the solution of my issue

vsk21 6 years ago

Can anyone tell me how to fix zero point ?
i am waiting!

RovinD2 7 years ago

My plotter is drawing jumbled up sketches. I'm unable to find the source of error. The jumbled sketch also varies to some degree each time. Please help.

BertR15 7 years ago

Jumbled up? What do you mean? Please post some photo's and everybody can have a look and a say. Jumbled up is pretty much like " my mail does not work. Can you tell me why?" Well... guess...

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