TinyG XY Plotter

thingiverse

This is my XY plotter that I created to test out our ARC code for our multi axis (up to 254 networked) stepper motor controller called TinyG. You can read more about TinyG here.https://www.synthetos.com/wiki/index.php?title=Projects:TinyG I do realize that it would not take much more to create a z axis and make this a CNC machine. This is the plan. However if anyone else wants to mess with it. Please go for it. Also, if anyone is in the Washington DC metro area and wants to mess with the machine let me know. The metal parts are all made from the contraptor frame work. (www.contraptor.org) However, that being said you do not have to drill the holes in every part. Just drill them where you are going to need them. All metal is aluminum with the exception of the Y axis "angle rails" these are made from home depot steel angle. Both steel and alum angle is 1" x 1" x 1/8". Possibly the coolest thing about this design is the fact that all the stuff that needs to be accurate is cut with the laser. Another cool feature is your size limitation of this is really only limited by the length of lead screws / angle rail length you can get. This design should be easy to support 6 - 8 ft tables with no real "changes" needed. (I think..) The bearings used are 805 regular skate bearings. (5mm centers.. or 5/16") All hardware (with the exception of the 5/16" bolts used on the "trucks" for the bearings) are 10-24 and 1/4" Threaded 1/4" rods are what are used to "sandwich" the parts together. The wood is all 1/2 inch plywood. Pick your poison. This should work just fine with 1/4 stuff doubled up. I am able to cut this on my 40W epilog laser in 1 pass ever since I picked up the 4" lens. Instructions IMPORTANT: I code as I go... Same as when designing this machine... After I had it assembled and a gravyard of parts in 1 sketchup file I went back through and tried to cleanup / organize what parts I actually used. I am pretty sure the attached files are everything that needs to be in there. However if you realize I am missing something please let me know. I have no official instructions at the moment on how to assemble this. One would need to look at my flickr stream to get a better idea. However, it should not be that hard to figure out. Electronics: Stepper Motors used: NEMA 23'shttp://www.alltronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=25M002 You can use the makerbot guys hardware for now. TinyG is in a "closed beta" state. However, that being said should anyone be intersted in the project contact me at: riley nospace porter at gmail D0t c0m and we can talk. Right now TinyG will take gcode over USB serial port and "do stuff" so no need for any conversions or anything just pass it straight gcode to a serial port and it works. It can also store "programs" in program memory. Meaning.. There if a "circle" routine store in the firmware now and all that is needed to be done to execute this stored program is typing f at the command prompt (serial port terminal) like in this video:http://www.flickr.com/photos/rileyporter/4651309872/in/photostream/ You can see more videos / pictures here.http://www.flickr.com/photos/rileyporter/sets/72157624009344944/ If anyone actually wants to make it and needs some help please feel free to contact me. Email Above...