Wall-mounted 4xiDraw

A lot of people asked me they wanted a larger version of 4xiDraw. But just using larger rods was not the answer unless you just wanted a couple of inches more.

A recent Arts project required a wall-mounted plotter that could do 3x2 feet, so I developed this variation that belt manufacturers are going to love ('cause it uses even longer belts than before).

I have not yet finished the whole assembly but it has reached a point where I am confident the system is going to work ok. A video of it working will be added as soon as I finish the build process.

Please note that a couple of springs will be needed in the bottom of the pen carriage as gravity will not pull the carriage down in this new setup.

A 3D view of the model is available: https://a360.co/2KKoF8T

Wheels would use 608 bearings pushed in.

And it is finally working https://youtu.be/nHzPLjGL6rc

And it can work horizontally too: https://youtu.be/XuJxYQoQShk

Upgraded parts:

I have simplified the design, belt tensioner is gone and now belt is kept by M3 screws in place. Y-idler now includes the wheels support in the same part.

What seems to work best is not to tap the M3 holes but to screw the bolts in by hand (avoid power tools here).

Updated vertical carriage

After testing it for a while I was not happy with the performance of the pen up/down system. So I have created a new version (v2) of the y-carriage that features a hole in the middle for the pen. Instead of pushing the pen against the paper, now the pen is fixed to the carriage in a way the tip touches the paper. The pen up action is achieved with the servo pushing a pin against the paper (that will then raise the tip so it no longer touches the paper). I have created a pen cover that will hold Sakura micro pen plus a spring to more accurately follow any paper irregularity.

https://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Pigma-Micron-Pen-Size-02-0.3-mm-Black/pd/2058

Please feel free to comment what system you like the most.

Have a look at the assembly of the new carriage/pen system: https://a360.co/2FsaKnh

You can even find it in and Arts exhibit near you: https://vimeo.com/328024157

Print instructions

Licence: Creative Commons - Attribution Category: Art Tools