Mini CNC Plotter Machine USING DVD Writer.

About This Project:

Mini CNC Plotter Machine Using DVD Writer. In this project we will show you low-cost Arduino Mini CNC Plotter Machine. For the X and Y axes we will use two stepper motors and rails from DVD/CD drives and for the Z axis we will use a small servo motor that moves the pen up and down. this mini CNC can only be used as a small plotter and not as an engraver machine.

The Arduino-based circuit is using the ATmega328 microcontroller, two L293D motor driver ICs and an USB to serial module. You can easily make it with the Arduino uno board and a breadboard.

1)     First step to start building this CNC machine is to disassemble the DVD/CD drives and take off them the stepper motors. Use the screwdriver to open and take off them the rails.

2)     Now that we have the two stepper motors we need to solder some cables on them. Proceed with caution . Now we need to find the correct combination to drive and use them correctly, so take a multi-meter with alligator clips and put it on "short-circuit" function. Usually the first and second cables are closing the circuit - the LED is turned on and a beep sounds - this means that we have found the first phase-motor of stepper motor. The other two cables, third and fourth, uses the second phase-motor of stepper motor.

3)     In my case, one of stepper motors uses the first and third cable for first phase-motor and the second and forth cable for second phase-motor.

4)     Mini CNC Plotter Machine is an embedded system that works on the Principle on ‘Computer Numeric Control (CNC)’. The system basically works with three stepper motors (two for X-axis & one for Y-axis) and micro-servo controller (for Z-axis). Where in Arduino Circuit plots the input given from the computer through ‘ENSCAPE Software’ on the sheet which is placed on the drawing board using micro-controller. The plotter has four axis control (2 X-axis and 1 Y& Z axis resp.) and a micro-servo controller for movement of pen. This system reduces human effort and also reduces the chances of error. The efficient and correct mounting of all the parts and proper use of software and correct alignment of circuit makes the system more efficient.

Block Diagram:

Figure: Block Diagram Mini CNC Machine Using DVD Writer.

Required Instrument:

-        Arduino UNO.

-        L293D Motor Driver Shield.

-        9Volt DC Adapter

-        DVD Writer.

-        Servo Motor.

-        Stepper Motor.

Buy All Electronics Components:

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Advantages:

-        It’s an open source program and thus a free one, it supports various kinds of hardware and configurations and it’s very easy to use.

-        The stepper motor never misses any step. Hence the whole operation is reliable.

-        Through Arduino software we can very easily generate G-code.

-        The whole project is cheaper and can be easily constructed through used parts of hardware form computers.

Applications:

-        3D printing: By replacing the pen with 3d extrusion pen, we can perform 3D modeling which is the fastest growing technology in present.

-        Laser engraving: By replacing the pen with laser machine we can perform laser engraving operation for engraving different logo, trademarks, bench marks, etc.

-        Laser cutting: Instead of pen we can use laser cutters for high precision Machining operations.

-        Milling operations: We can even perform different milling operations such as slotting, grooving, etc. provided with overarm and arbor.

Any modification of this project can be done as per your requirement. We will make the project according to your needs. Contact us with your any innovative engineering projects idea. We will help you to implement your project.