Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2
Modern Design and Implementation of XY Plotter
Mr. R.R.Jegan (Guide)
Assistant professor, V.S.B. Engineering College,
jeganvsb17@gmail.com
Gnanasundaram E (Student)
B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
sundaramprofessional1997@gmail.com
Gowtham M (Student)
B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
gowthammano02@gmail.com
Abstract— XY Plotter is entirely different from the older
CNC Machines. It is capable to write and draw the critical
structures with the exact output. In this paper we going to reduce
the cost of the plotter, enlarge the drawing surface area and
giving new look to the entire structure. With the help of Arduino
Nano controller, CNC shield driver with stepper motors, servo
motor and G-Code file the entire process complete. The XY
Plotter of our project will work within 21 x 29.7cm size.
Keywords—Arduino Uno, CNC shield with stepper motors,
servo motor and G-Code file.
I. INTRODUCTION
As today scenario documenting a paper work like
writing and drawing, we need a man power (or) need a
computer for document work, but it will be in typed form
of specific font. At some moments, we need a document in
different style, but it is impossible to done by humans’.In
this we going to made a step stone for this issue the new
XY Plotter is introduced to do this task to do a everyday
activities for specialized documentation purpose.This XY
Plotter is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve
a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and
writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that
might normally be carried out with a handheld pen.The
Inkscape a software is developed with the help of this
plotter can do a task like writing and drawing in both flat
and vertical surface. The earlier existing system had DVD
ROM’s stepper motor which dissipated heat and thus
interrupted in the working. They are not much efficient to
give output as expected . The surface area to obtain the
output is only 10x10 cm area. So, the commercial process
where not very useful.
978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Sivanesan R (Student)
B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
sivanesan.ravichandran@gmail.com
Thiyagarajan D (Student)
B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
thiyagudurai333@gmail.com
II. LITERATURE SURVEY
In this section, we summarize the most relevant
existing research are - [1] We got idea to design the
structure,[2] We Learned inkscape software procedures and
generate the G-Code file,[3]Acquire knowledge of
hardware and controlling boards,[4] We absorb coding and
the basic circuit connection of the older plotter unit, [5]
Help to design and fabrication of mini CNC Plotter
Machine,[6] Design of mini CNC machine for PCB
drawing and drilling,[7] Collect the idea to send the G-
Code file to the controller,[8] Inkscape extension for
outputting G-Code for the MakerBot Unicorn Pen
Plotter.[9] Arduino Library for GRBL - With this Library
you can use the Arduino IDE to upload GRBL to your
Arduino Board.We are giving the new look to the cnc
plotter and enlarge the document surface area to draw.We
minimize the total budget with the quality output.We
evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme in terms
of Speed and Accurate output.
III. OBJECTIVE
This XY Plotter is a simple, modern, accurate, and
adaptable pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on
almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite
fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing
implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its
unique design features a writing head that extends beyond
the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger
than the machine itself.
IV. ALGORITHM
The G-Code file created by the help of Inkscape
software then the processing software is used to send the
G-Code file to the Arduino controller unit (via USB ) then
the CNC shield drive send the controlling signals to the
stepper motors and servo motor. Now the XY axis which
operates as follows by the instructions given to the
controller unit.
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 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2
Fig.1 Block Diagram Of XY Plotter
The windows operating system is used as the processing
medium which have to be installed with the inkscape software
to give the input image or text that can be of any form that
suits the output measurements. Then g-code is created and
validated with no errors is stored as file. This saved file is
moved over the interface where separate memory is not
necessary and processing software that is used to send the g-
code file by using the interface cable to send the data to
controller block is interfaced with motor driver unit along the
DAC provides the pulse width signal to motor unit where it is
been processed and final output is displayed on the paper from
the output unit.
Fig.2 Breadboard Connection Diagram
V. SOFTWARES
A. Inkscape version 0.48.5
This software is used to design the input image or
text to generate the G-code file.Procedures To Generate G-
Code By Using Inkscape Software, Open The Inkscape
Software Version 0.48.5,Now have to set the document
properties after that set the paper size, Now Add The
Image (or) Text,Now It Shows Selected Image File
Format,Select The Image And Lock It,Then Go To - >
Path and Select Trace Bitmap,Here If Any Edit Process
Needed Means Can Edit,Then Delete The Real
Image,After that Select Object To Path,Now Save The
File In G-Code Format,Now Document Saved,G-Code
File Generated. In this process any kind of documents
such as text and image are provided as input. Object to
path process is enabled to find the input points. Then the
g-code is generated for the identified points.
978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
B. Arduino 1.8.4
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based
on easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for
anyone making interactive projects.The open-source
Arduino Software (IDE) makes it easy to write code and
upload it to the board. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X,
and Linux. The environment is written in Java and based
on Processing and other open-source software. It acts as
the medium between the system and motor drive. The
data from the system is processed and provides digital
output to DAC circuit.
C. Fritzing
Fritzing is an open-source hardware initiative that
makes electronics accessible as a creative material for
anyone. It offer a software tool, a community website and
services in the spirit of Processing and Arduino, fostering
a creative ecosystem that allows users to document their
prototypes, share them with others, teach electronics in a
classroom, and layout and manufacture professional
PCBs.
D. CAMotics
CAMotics is an Open-Source software which
simulates 3-axis CNC milling or engraving. It is a fast,
flexible and user friendly simulation software for the DIY
and Open-Source community. CAMotics works on Linux,
OS-X and Windows. It is used to see the visual output and
internal process of the designed input image or text for
verification and validation.
E. Processing
Processing is a flexible software sketchbook and a
language for learning how to code within the context of
the visual arts.Since 2001, Processing has promoted
software literacy within the visual arts and visual literacy
within technology. It is the bridge between system to
controller. It moves the file over the wired connection
where no storage is required.
VI. HARDWARE COMPONENTS
A. Arduino Nano Controller
The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and
breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328P. It
has more or less the same functionality of the Arduino
Duemilanove, but in a different package. It lacks only a
DC power jack, and works with a Mini-B USB cable
instead of a standard one. It passes the generated pulse
width signal from the received g-code file values.
Fig.4 Arduino Nano Board
B. CNC Shield Driver
CNC Shield can be used as drive expansion board for
engraving machine.There are 2 slots in the board for
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 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2
stepper motor drive modules, can drive 2 stepper motors,
and each step stepper motor only need two IO port, that is
to say, 6 IO ports can quite well to manage three stepper
motor, it's very convenient to use. After insert Arduino
CNC Shield into Arduino Nano, and installed GRBL
firmware then you can quickly DIY a CNC engraving
machine. The low value analog signal will be received
from control unit. The required power for the motor is
generated in this section. It analysis the X axis and Y
axis, then it provides X pulse or Y pulse for the obtained
input.
Fig.5 Controller Board
C. Stepper Motor
The motor's position can then be commanded to
move and hold at one of these steps without any position
sensor for feedback (an open-loop controller), as long as
the motor is carefully sized to the application in respect to
torque and speed. The exact movement for X and Y axis
is controlled by this motor. The input voltage is 12 V. The
input pulse is given for the stepper motor. The control for
this motor is directly controlled by the motor driver unit
that replicates the g-code. Any other motor than stepper
motor will not have the accurate stopping at points cannot
be achieved. The axis control is done by the 8mm belt
which have flexibility to move around. They connect
both the X and Y axis by that single belt which controls
the overall movement. They are double ended belt so that
they can be varied for the required length.
D. Servo Motor
The servo motor is most commonly used for high
technology devices in the industrial application like
automation technology. It is a self contained electrical
device, that rotate parts of a machine with high efficiency
and great precision. The output shaft of this motor can be
moved to a particular angle. Servo motors are mainly used
in home electronics, toys, cars, airplanes, etc. The pen
movement is the most important factor at the output end.
That is controlled by this servo motor. There are two
angles designed for the movement, which controls the pen
down mode and pen up mode. When the pulse value goes
to zero the pen down mode is activated else the values is
set as 90 degree that enables pen up mode. For the fast as
well as the accurate movement according to the received
pulse is achieved by this motor enabling. The gears are
used for the reduction of the overall speed which is does
not run at the usual speed. The servo motor run with the
978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
input voltage of 5V. The driver board provides input for
this servo motor according to the incoming signal. It has
the transparent covering that will enable us to detect the
malfunctions in rare case. The less voltage provided will
give no heat dissipation and it can work on continuous
intervals.
Fig.7 Servo Motor
VII. HARDWARE STRUCTURE
Our Project Hardware Structure
Fig.8 Hardware Structure
The rods to align the X and Y structure to give the
output in the provided sheet. The rod for X and Y axis
are not fixed. Their movement is supported by the
bearings which provide soft and accurate movement for
structuring the output image to text. Initially, the rods are
in central alignment. They are inputted by transmitting
the procedural comments and executes the required
function. The input power is 12V. Commercially it is
very low power and energy saving. The pen holder is
fitted over the axis with the servo motor unit that helps
for the up and down movement the pen according to the
signal received. The ON and OFF of the pen is according
to the signal input. The supporting pieces are done in
wood to reduce the cost. The resize for the compact
design is much easier in case of wood.
VIII. RESULT
Text input :
DEPARTMENT OF ECE in Edwardian Script ITC
font style
Fig.9 Text Input
Text Output :
Here we used Blue marker
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 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2
Fig.10 Text Output
Fig.11 Image Input Fig.12 Image Output
The input given in any font style either in usual or any
colors will be accepted and will start to process the file.
Image files that are given will first start to enable the
pixels. Each pixels is analyzed by the coordinates of X and
Y for the perfect placing and generation of g-code. Image
detection is used by two methods. They are line detection
and edge detection. These enable g-code to identify the
object area.
IX. PROGRAM CODE
For Text G-Code For Image G-Code
978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
X. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
In the proposed system we have presented the concept of a
low cost three-axis machine. The total coverage area for the
object to create is larger and are extendable. Since the outer
supporting pieces are made up of wood they are easily can be
enlarged. Servo motor which controls the speed accordingly to
the gears will give accurate movement. Exact stopping and
start of the pixels are easily controlled in this process by
stepper motors that are efficiently controlled by G-code
generated by inkscape software.The existing CNC machines
are higher cost, difficult to maintain and requires highly
skilled operators. Our XY Plotter overcomes these problems.
It is of low cost and easy to control and there is no need of
highly skilled operators and it is automatic once it obtain the
g-code. The multi colour markers can be used along with the
current process. The size of the total area can be easily
increased. The vertical axis enabling option will add another
feature with it. Instead of marker, a drill machine or a laser for
cutting metal or wood will be the industrial application of this
process in future. 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. The robotic arm have a
possibility to be implemented in future. This project along
with the future work will have the efficient commercial
application.
XI. REFERENCES
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