Design and implementation of a cost-effective three-axis CNC plotter machine based on Arduino board

Designing images in various industries, workshops, and factories is technology-dependent that may be done by a CNC plotter. With the advancement of technology, the use of computer numerical control (CNC) plotters is increasing in the laboratories and educational institutions. Designing and manufacturing the complete system of a large-scale CNC machine is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult. In this paper, the design and construction process of a cost-effective three-axis ۲D CNC plotter machine with a novel guide rail design is presented. Before constructing, the device is modeled in CATIA software, and then built with a ۶۵۰ by ۳۵۰ mm working environment and a height of ۵۰ mm. Creating the desired image or text file for processing and execution by the device is possible using the UGS graphics program, which extracts g-codes from the created file and sends it from the computer to the Arduino board. Arduino controls the stepper motors using the GRBL software platform. The designed plotter is a two-dimensional drawing machine that uses a pen to draw text or images on a workbench. This machine has three stepper motors to move along the x,y, and z axes, with the z-axis defined for changing the working height of the pen. Finally, in order to demonstrate the efficiency of the device, a desired image is drawn by the plotter, which clearly shows the high functioning precision of the device.