Follow The Steps Bellow , To Make CNC Machine By T4TECHZ

Arduino Mini CNC Plotter Machine From Dvd Drives
By "T4TECHZ"

INTRODUCTION : Arduino Mini CNC Plotter Machine From Dvd Driver

Follow the video here
https://youtu.be/PtbnPl4-yyo

I decided to make this detailed guide to help you make it on a few easy steps.

Small description:

For the X and Y axes we will use two stepper motors and rails from dvd/cd drives and for the Z axis we will use a small servo motor that moves the pen up and down.

The Arduino-based circuit is using the ATmega328 microcontroller, two L293 motor driver ICs and an usb to serial module. You can easily make it with the Arduino uno board and an breadboard.

You can also use an Bluetooth module (e.g. HC-06) to print your texts (or images) wirelessly through your computer Bluetooth connection! Pretty cool huh?

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STEP 1: What You Will Need

• Arduino Nano
• 2x L293D ICs Motor Driver And It's Socket
• Mini Servo Motor
• 2x DVD/CD Drives
• Female Jumber Socket
• Male Jumber Pins
• Wires Or Jumber Wire
• Platform- Wooden Piece Or Anything Familiar
• Nuts And Bolts
• 5V Adapter
• Srews
• Wire Holder
• USB Cable
•                       Etc.....

The circuit is communicate with the computer through the USB cable

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For making the Platform Base

Two pieces of wood 20x5 cm (thickness 15mm) (for X axis)
Two pieces of wood 20x5 cm (thickness 15mm) (for Y axis)
Two pieces of L- Clamp
Nuts and Bolts
Srews

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Tools Required :

• Screwdriver
• Soldering Iron
• Driller
• Cutting Tool
• Glue Stick

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STEP 2: Stepper Motors

First step to start building this cnc machine is to open the dvd/cd drives and take off them the stepper motors. Use the screwdriver to open.

Now that we have the two stepper motors we need to solder some cables or wires on them. Now we need to find the correct combination to drive and use them correctly, so take a multimeter with alligator clips and put it on "short-circuit" function. Usually the first and second cables are closing the circuit - the led is turned on and a beep sounds - this means that we have found the fist phase-motor of stepper motor. The other two cables, third and forth, uses the second phase-motor of stepper motor.

Find the correct combination and proceed to next step

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STEP 3: Making X-AXIS & Y-AXIS

Follow the steps below and see the Video here
https://youtu.be/PtbnPl4-yyo

For X axis:

Place one stepper motor on two wood piece and mark it with a pen in order to drill  the (4) holes for the nuts and bolts or srews. Make sure that is perfectly align. Drill the holes and mount the motor with nut screws on the wood piece

For Y axis:

Place the other stepper motor on two wood pieces and mark them with a pen in order to drill the (4) holes for the nuts and bolts or screws. Again, make sure that the motor is perfectly align.

Complete the construction:

As you can see I placed a metal surface on X axis to fit a note-paper sheet on it. A note-paper sheet usually has dimensions 75mm x 75mm, but remember that printing area is only 40mm x 40mm. Remember, all parts must be perfectly align with others, this is very important!

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STEP 4: Making Z-AXIS

That's the most difficult part of our construction.

You will need something to attach it on Y axis, a flat surface. On that surface you will attach the servo motor (Z axis) and the pen base. Pen (or pencil) must be able to move up and down with the help of servo motor. Watch the video to understand what you need to do to build Z axis.

Tip: Use your imagination!

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STEP 5: The Circuit

Now that we have our contraction ready, it's time to build the circuit and test the stepper motors (X and Y axis).

Watch or download circuit for cnc machine:
http://t4techzofficial1.blogspot.com/2020/12/circuit-diagram-of-cnc-machine-by.html

Solder the circuit on a PCB board. On the next step you will find a 'testing' code for x and y axes. If a stepper doesn't work properly you must find the correct working combination by changing the cables between them and the L293D ICs.

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STEP 6: The CNC Code

Code for CNC Machine
http://t4techzofficial1.blogspot.com/2020/12/code-for-cnc-machine-by-t4techz.html

Download or copy code , and upload to Arduino nano board and check the Machine

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STEP 7:  Softwares Used

Now we are ready to print our first image!

Follow the video using this link.   https://youtu.be/cvaCBxiNln8

Download and install Inkscape software from here
https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-0.48.5/windows/32-bit/exe/dl/

Download and install Arduino software from here
https://downloads.arduino.cc/arduino-1.8.13-windows.exe

Download CNC Machine Drawing Software "gcode-sender"
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gcode-sender/ngncibnakmabjlfpadjagnbdjbhoelom/related?hl=en

What is gcode? Gcode is a file with X,Y and Z coordinates. Header of this file is set to:

M300 S30.00 (Servo down)

G1 X10.00 Y10.00 F2500.00

G1 X20.00 Y10.00 F2500.00

M300 S50.00 (Servo up)

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STEP 8: How to Make Your Own Gcode Files

Follow the video using this link.
 https://youtu.be/cvaCBxiNln8

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 here
https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-0.48.5/windows/32-bit/exe/dl/

Setup Inkscape for first use

Open the Inkscape, go to File menu and click "Document Properties". and make the changes, make sure to change first to "cm". Now close this window. We will use the area within 4 to 8 cm.

How to print texts

Put text, if you want you can change font and size. Now click on cursor icon and center the text like the 3rd image above. Select Path from menu and "Object to Path".

How to print images

This is more difficult than texts. Images must have a transparent background. Drag and drop your image in Inkscape. Click ok to the next window. Now you have to re-size the image to fit the printing area, see the 4th image above. Click Path from menu and "Trace Bitmap".  "Follow the video" Click ok and close the window. Now, move the gray scale image, and delete the color one behind it. Move the grey image to the correct place again and click from Path menu "Object to path".

Export as gcode file

Final, go to file menu, click save as and select makerbot .... Click 'ok' on next window and that's it! Ready to go! Use the application 'Gcode-sender' Sender to print the gcode file on your new Arduino CNC Plotter!

Download Gcode Sender
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gcode-sender/ngncibnakmabjlfpadjagnbdjbhoelom/related?hl=en

Well Done!

You have successfully completed this tutorial and you have your own Arduino mini CNC Plotter!!!

I hope you liked this, let me know in the comments, I would like to see photos of your CNC machines!