A3+ Drawing Machine (EBB Driver Board)

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DIY A3+ Drawing Machine (using the EBB Driver Board)

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*update: Bottom_XY_clamshell_V3 (this allows the flanged bearings to be raised by 2mm to prevent the timing belt rubbing on the linear rods)

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This 'Drawing Machine'/ Cartesian Plotter is based on the AxiDraw from Evil Mad Scientist and uses their EBB Driver Board to control the steppers and servo for simplicity - it's great for a first time user of plotters, like me and I find it incredibly user friendly when used with Inkscape.

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As a starting point, I used henryarnold's files and modified them to allow the machine to be fixed to a board, strengthened in some areas (as my machine is larger) and added stepper covers to be more in keeping with a finished product. I won't be including instructions, as henryarnold provides a great PDF to follow already (and I also think that by looking at the photos and complete assembly file I've included, the construction is quite self-explanatory.

To keep the servo wire out of the way, I used a piece wire (actually taken from an RC plane push rod). One end is trapped between the servo screw and 3D print and the other end has the servo wire taped to it, to keep it suspended in the air.

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Supplies:

• A drawing board (to mount the machine to. I used a smooth/wipeable melamine faced furniture board) 580mm x 450mm x 18mm, QTY 1
• A Spool of PETG ,QTY 1
• Some PLA ,QTY 1
• EiBotBoard, QTY 1
• 9V 1.5A AC/DC Power Supply Adapter 5.5mm x 2.1mm
• Pen Holder, QTY 1
• Precision Hardened Steel Smooth Rods - 8mm, 490mm, QTY 4
• V-Slot Linear Rail – 20x60mm - Black Anodise, 470mm, QTY 1
• M5 Low Profile Bolts - 25mm, QTY 10
• M3 Cap Head Bolts - 10mm, QTY 16 (2 are used to help fix the EBB board to the x_support_cover)
• M4 Button Head Bolts - 20mm, QTY 6
• M4 Flat Washer, QTY 10
• M5 Brass threaded heat insert, QTY 6
• M4 Brass threaded heat insert, QTY 6
• M3 Brass threaded heat insert, QTY 6 (2 are used to help fix the EBB board to the x_support_cover)
• 4mm Dia self tapping Button Head wood screw - 20mm, QTY 4 (to fix the machine to the drawing board)
• GT2 Pulley 16 Teeth 5mm Bore, 2 metre length Timing Belt, QTY 1 (enough to cut into the 2 lengths needed)
• LM8UU Linear Ball Bearings 8mm ID Dia, 15mm OD, 24mm length, QTY 8
• MF104ZZ 4x10x4mm Metal Shielded Flange Ball Bearing, QTY 10
• EleksMaker® 42HS34-1304A 1.8° Hybrid Stepper Motor 2 Phase, QTY 2 (I chose this brand of stepper because it can handle a higher current than the unbranded versions)
• 1M 4pin Stepper Motor Cable XH2.54 Male, QTY 2 (These will be cut down in length to suit. One end is cut off to screw into the EBB board terminal blocks)
• MGN9 100mm Linear Rail Guide with MGN9H Linear Block, QTY 1
• Micro Servo Tower Pro MG90S 9g, QTY 1 (I bought an official one with metal gears. It'll last longer)
• Servo Extension Lead 26 AWG, 800mm, QTY 1

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A few tips:

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There is an opening at each end of the aluminium extrusion, even after the 3D print is bolted on - this is to hide the cables in.

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Depending on what brand of threaded brass heat inserts you buy (or the outside dia), pressing them in may cause some of the thin walls of the plastic to bulge out. They will still work out in the end.

For setup, just go through the very useful The AxiDraw User Guide