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) Sivanesan R (Student)
Assistant professor, V.S.B. Engineering College, B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
[email protected] V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
[email protected]

Gnanasundaram E (Student) Thiyagarajan D (Student)

B.E Electronics and Communication engineering, B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu. V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
[email protected] [email protected]

Gowtham M (Student)
B.E Electronics and Communication engineering,
V.S.B. Engineering College, Karur, Tamil Nadu.
[email protected] II. LITERATURE SURVEY
In this section, we summarize the most relevant
Abstract— XY Plotter is entirely different from the older existing research are - [1] We got idea to design the
CNC Machines. It is capable to write and draw the critical structure,[2] We Learned inkscape software procedures and
structures with the exact output. In this paper we going to reduce
the cost of the plotter, enlarge the drawing surface area and generate the G-Code file,[3]Acquire knowledge of
giving new look to the entire structure. With the help of Arduino hardware and controlling boards,[4] We absorb coding and
Nano controller, CNC shield driver with stepper motors, servo the basic circuit connection of the older plotter unit, [5]
motor and G-Code file the entire process complete. The XY Help to design and fabrication of mini CNC Plotter
Plotter of our project will work within 21 x 29.7cm size.
Machine,[6] Design of mini CNC machine for PCB
Keywords—Arduino Uno, CNC shield with stepper motors, drawing and drilling,[7] Collect the idea to send the G-
servo motor and G-Code file. Code file to the controller,[8] Inkscape extension for
outputting G-Code for the MakerBot Unicorn Pen
I. INTRODUCTION
Plotter.[9] Arduino Library for GRBL - With this Library
As today scenario documenting a paper work like you can use the Arduino IDE to upload GRBL to your
writing and drawing, we need a man power (or) need a Arduino Board.We are giving the new look to the cnc
computer for document work, but it will be in typed form plotter and enlarge the document surface area to draw.We
of specific font. At some moments, we need a document in minimize the total budget with the quality output.We
different style, but it is impossible to done by humans’.In evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme in terms
this we going to made a step stone for this issue the new of Speed and Accurate output.
XY Plotter is introduced to do this task to do a everyday
III. OBJECTIVE
activities for specialized documentation purpose.This XY
Plotter is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve This XY Plotter is a simple, modern, accurate, and
a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and adaptable pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on
writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite
might normally be carried out with a handheld pen.The fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing
Inkscape a software is developed with the help of this implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its
plotter can do a task like writing and drawing in both flat unique design features a writing head that extends beyond
and vertical surface. The earlier existing system had DVD the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger
ROM’s stepper motor which dissipated heat and thus than the machine itself.
interrupted in the working. They are not much efficient to
IV. ALGORITHM
give output as expected . The surface area to obtain the
output is only 10x10 cm area. So, the commercial process The G-Code file created by the help of Inkscape
where not very useful. 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.
978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1651
 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

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
Fig.1 Block Diagram Of XY Plotter output to DAC circuit.
The windows operating system is used as the processing C. Fritzing
medium which have to be installed with the inkscape software
Fritzing is an open-source hardware initiative that
to give the input image or text that can be of any form that
makes electronics accessible as a creative material for
suits the output measurements. Then g-code is created and anyone. It offer a software tool, a community website and
validated with no errors is stored as file. This saved file is services in the spirit of Processing and Arduino, fostering
moved over the interface where separate memory is not a creative ecosystem that allows users to document their
necessary and processing software that is used to send the g- prototypes, share them with others, teach electronics in a
code file by using the interface cable to send the data to classroom, and layout and manufacture professional
controller block is interfaced with motor driver unit along the PCBs.
DAC provides the pulse width signal to motor unit where it is D. CAMotics
been processed and final output is displayed on the paper from CAMotics is an Open-Source software which
the output unit. 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.

Fig.2 Breadboard Connection Diagram VI. HARDWARE COMPONENTS

V. SOFTWARES A. Arduino Nano Controller

The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and
A. Inkscape version 0.48.5
breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328P. It
This software is used to design the input image or has more or less the same functionality of the Arduino
text to generate the G-code file.Procedures To Generate G- Duemilanove, but in a different package. It lacks only a
DC power jack, and works with a Mini-B USB cable
Code By Using Inkscape Software, Open The Inkscape
instead of a standard one. It passes the generated pulse
Software Version 0.48.5,Now have to set the document width signal from the received g-code file values.
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 Fig.4 Arduino Nano Board
such as text and image are provided as input. Object to B. CNC Shield Driver
path process is enabled to find the input points. Then the CNC Shield can be used as drive expansion board for
g-code is generated for the identified points. engraving machine.There are 2 slots in the board for

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1652

 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, input voltage of 5V. The driver board provides input for
and each step stepper motor only need two IO port, that is this servo motor according to the incoming signal. It has
to say, 6 IO ports can quite well to manage three stepper the transparent covering that will enable us to detect the
motor, it's very convenient to use. After insert Arduino malfunctions in rare case. The less voltage provided will
CNC Shield into Arduino Nano, and installed GRBL give no heat dissipation and it can work on continuous
firmware then you can quickly DIY a CNC engraving intervals.
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.7 Servo Motor

VII. HARDWARE STRUCTURE
Our Project Hardware Structure

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 Fig.8 Hardware Structure
input pulse is given for the stepper motor. The control for
this motor is directly controlled by the motor driver unit The rods to align the X and Y structure to give the
that replicates the g-code. Any other motor than stepper output in the provided sheet. The rod for X and Y axis
motor will not have the accurate stopping at points cannot are not fixed. Their movement is supported by the
be achieved. The axis control is done by the 8mm belt bearings which provide soft and accurate movement for
which have flexibility to move around. They connect structuring the output image to text. Initially, the rods are
both the X and Y axis by that single belt which controls in central alignment. They are inputted by transmitting
the overall movement. They are double ended belt so that the procedural comments and executes the required
they can be varied for the required length. function. The input power is 12V. Commercially it is
very low power and energy saving. The pen holder is
D. Servo Motor fitted over the axis with the servo motor unit that helps
The servo motor is most commonly used for high for the up and down movement the pen according to the
technology devices in the industrial application like signal received. The ON and OFF of the pen is according
automation technology. It is a self contained electrical to the signal input. The supporting pieces are done in
device, that rotate parts of a machine with high efficiency wood to reduce the cost. The resize for the compact
and great precision. The output shaft of this motor can be design is much easier in case of wood.
moved to a particular angle. Servo motors are mainly used VIII. RESULT
in home electronics, toys, cars, airplanes, etc. The pen
movement is the most important factor at the output end. Text input :
That is controlled by this servo motor. There are two DEPARTMENT OF ECE in Edwardian Script ITC
angles designed for the movement, which controls the pen font style
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
Fig.9 Text Input
pulse is achieved by this motor enabling. The gears are
used for the reduction of the overall speed which is does Text Output :
not run at the usual speed. The servo motor run with the
Here we used Blue marker

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1653

 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

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
Fig.10 Text Output 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
Fig.11 Image Input Fig.12 Image Output 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
The input given in any font style either in usual or any this work for future development. The robotic arm have a
colors will be accepted and will start to process the file. possibility to be implemented in future. This project along
Image files that are given will first start to enable the with the future work will have the efficient commercial
pixels. Each pixels is analyzed by the coordinates of X and application.
Y for the perfect placing and generation of g-code. Image
detection is used by two methods. They are line detection XI. REFERENCES
and edge detection. These enable g-code to identify the
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978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1654