“3D Print your own high quality Arduino based CNC drawing machine. Simple, great quality & budget friendly. Use it to draw on almost anything
How to make a simple and high quality 3D printable CNC drawing machine to draw on (almost) anything.
I’ve always wanted a CNC machine and so has my partner. But they’re just too expensive or too large for storing when not in use. So I designed this over a couple of months. Its cost of components is around £75 excluding the old chopping board I mounted mine on. All the software is open source and free. I have used it for drawings, and my partner is using it to draw accurate outlines onto modelling wood to then cut and build his own model boat with.
I’ll step you through how to build your own including all the files, code and models you will need to assemble it. Once assembled, I’ll then explain how to configure GRBL on the Arduino Uno, create your own GCODE from your drawings in Inkscape and control the machine from Google Chrome using Chillipeppr.
This project has a relatively low cost and can produce some very detailed drawings. I’ve used it to create t-shirts, cake decorations, drawings to colour in myself (and some it coloured in for me!). You could also use it to draw out scale drawings, wedding invitations, birthday and Christmas cards and anything else you can think of. :)
Feel free to also adapt the design to suite your own needs.
You will need some components to go along side the 3D printable parts in order to build your own. Here is a list including links to where you can find them on Amazon:
8 x15 x 45mm Linear Bearing (x2)
8 x 15 x 25mm Linear Bearing (x1)
12v Nema 17 stepper motors (x2)
GT2 Timing belt and pulleys
Micro servo (x1)
Elegoo Arduino Uno (x1)
Nuts, bolts and screws (See list below)
Stepper drivers - TMC2208 (x2)
Contact switch (x2)
Arduino CNC Shield (x1)
30mm 5V Fan (x1)
8mm Chromed Steel Rod (35cm x2 & 5.5cm x1)
30cm long linear rail with block (x1)
Electrical wire
12v power supply - 2A or greater (x1)
6mm Idler Wheel - 3mm Bore (1)
Wooden panel to mount project at least 36x42cm (I used an Ikea ‘LÄMPLIG’ chopping board)
Nuts, bolts and screws needed:
M5 x 25mm (x2)
M3 x 18 (x3)
M3 x 12 (x2)
M3 x10 (x3)
M3 x 6 (X14)
M3 nuts (x9)
M5 nut (x1)
Short wood screws (x8)”