Notebook Drafting Machine

Background

I stumbled upon the Miniature Notepad Drafting Arm by TensorFlux and had to have one!

It was just far too delicate for me to carry around in my EDC notebook.

So this is my version of it

Design

I designed it to be as flat and sturdy as possible - only 7.5mm thick- so I can close the notebook without fear of breaking it.

All 8 pivot points have press fit miniature sealed ball bearings for silky smooth and precise movement

The Square, Protractor and Knob are press fit together and provide a good amount of friction to hold the Square at the correct angle.

The Protractor has gradations at 10deg intervals and the Knob has a point to indicate the angle.

The Square is 70mm horizontal x 30mm vertical

Print Instructions

Orient all parts with the flattest / featureless surface on the Platter.

I used these settings and had great results

• no supports
• outside perimeters first - to maintain dimensional accuracy
• 40% honeycomb infill
• 3 top / 3 bottom / 4 perimeters 

The filament I used is finicky - its a matte PLA - use the settings that work for you

• 240C extruder 
• 1.2 extrusion multiplier
• 50C bed

Assembly Instructions

See Exploded view for reference

• 4x Arms
• 1x of all other parts
• 8x Sealed Ball Bearings 4x7x2.5 

Sand, File, Wet Sand, Ream Holes as needed for desired surface finish

Press in bearings - I used a 12 ton hydraulic press - just because I could

• 2x into the base
• 2x into Protractor
• 4x into linkage

Insert Square into bottom of Protractor

Carefully align point of Knob to the Square (it is not indexed) and firmly press into place - ensure Square and Knob rotate relative to the Protractor with some resistance

Align and press 2x arms into bottom of Protractor and Linkage

Align and press 2x arms into top of Base and Linkage

Clip to the top left corner of your notebook with a binder clip

DRAW!

Future Revisions

Metal straight edge insert - with or without a scale

More precise Protractor - might need to printed with resin

Slightly longer Arms - for Linkage to Protractor 

Sturdier Arms - place a steel rod in while its printing

Etc.

Thank You