Introduction: How to Make Mini CNC 2D Plotter Using Scrap DVD Drive, L293d Motor Shield & Arduino
this a mini CNC 2D plotter made from old DVD drive and L293D motor shield very cheap but intresting
let see how to make in
Step 1: Video
Step 2: Material Need for This Project
1) 2 X SCRAP DVD DRIVE
2) 1 X ARDUINO
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
You can buy this material from below links of Amazon
Simple Lab's L293D Motor Shield for Arduino
Arduino Uno R3 ATmega328P ATMEGA16U2 Compatible with USB Cable
REES52 Tower Pro SG90 9g Servo Motor For Arduino ARM Raspberry AND Other MCU
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 rremove 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
Attachments
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
61 Comments
2 years ago
If you switch to grbl to control your motors (https://github.com/gnea/grbl): for an easy tool chain, you may use GRBL-Plotter: https://github.com/svenhb/GRBL-Plotter
Example: https://grbl-plotter.de/index.php?id=micro-plotter...
Question 4 years ago
Im Video Description X-Axis is Connected to M3-M4 and Y-Axis to M1-M2
http://electricdiylab.com/how-to-make-mini-cnc-plotter-machine-at-home-using-arduino-l293-motor-shield-old-dvd-drive/
But Here
Y-Axis is Connected to M3-M4 and X-Axis to M1-M2
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
Answer 2 years ago
I have the same comment too. I think you need to edit code
AF_Stepper myStepperX(stepsPerRevolution,1);
AF_Stepper myStepperY(stepsPerRevolution,2);
Question 3 years ago on Step 4
Dear respected sir,
Please send wiring connection for this motor y Axsis , and other will x Axis.and servo for z.
3 years ago
Hi friend I made a cnc as per your video description but on drawing it says m18 drives off
Please help me
3 years ago
Hi alll related software as you mention to download are working well but the machine did not print well at all pleas i need help
4 years ago
Hi, every one when i start construct i follow the author procedure and i download all the software needed to keep machine operate,and here is were i got problem, i did not use arduino motor shield already made but i use local design pbc to make my board with arduino nano 3v i load cnc code the serial monitor did not show cnc is alive in the process if open (PROCESSING) the g-code will not load and particularly at what voltage can DVD ROM operate,because the specification writing at the back of DVD ROM is 5/12 v 1.5 A really confuse to 5 v use to operate the driver. THX
7 years ago
i want to write my own code , can you simple with keywords explain ideas of program ?
Reply 4 years ago
Have you figured out the code I can use some help on the project if you are up to it .
6 years ago
Hi there,
I have tried to upload the arduino code but i got this error message when verifying the code:
Reply 4 years ago
You need to include the library let me know if you need any help
Reply 6 years ago
In his code it includes the library for the L293D Motor Shield, but you have not downloaded that library onto your own computer. That's why it says "AFMotor.h: No such file or directory #include <AFMotor.h>". If you go to step 2, he has the file for the motor shield library that you download. Once you download it, it should be able to compile. :)
5 years ago
What is power supply voltage to motor shield??
Reply 4 years ago
5V
5 years ago
Hi sry for my bad eng. (German)
I rebuild it and its drawing but u cant imagine what it draw. He also want to be in one corner.
I followed your instructables.
I use a Arduino Motorshield.
Powersuply ist 9V battery & 3,6V.
is it possible to wire the motors wrong?
is the code oke for a shield?
Do u have any tips?
Thx
Reply 4 years ago
Hello, usually you require 5V input for the shield as for the wiring simply use multi meter in order to find out the coils inside the motors. you can simply use the continuity check on your multi meter with the diode sign on it. let me know if you have any more questions.
Question 4 years ago on Step 8
My plotter was not drowning properly.
I need help
Answer 4 years ago
hi. I built a similar project in the past and had the same problem. Check if you did mount your steppers in the right direction and alignment! I made it as tutorial but after hours and hours of try and error I figured out, that one stepper-construction was in wrong orientation! Means, axis should move eg x+, y+ but since wrong alignment they move x+, y- ..Know what I mean? Another issue is torque of the motors rrespectively efficieny of the slipper-lead converting rotanional to linear move..
hope that helps!
6 years ago
I am using 2 DVD stepper motors, but still, the output is not what I expected it to be.. but the motors which I am using have different pin-out for wires..? does that means they do have different steps/rev..?
The output for STAR is in the picture.
The Gcode for star and elliptical are
config i am using in the code are-
steps/rev = 20; steps/mm(x&y)=360; x=(0:40) y=(0:40)
Help me out !!
Reply 4 years ago
Hello, I’m from Uzbekistan and I’m interested in a typewriter with CNC and created but I have the same problem with drawing a machine like you. wrote about it 2 years ago you found a problem help to solve this problem