Published by : International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

http://www.ijert.org ISSN: 2278-0181

Vol. 7 Issue 05, May-2018

Design and Implementation of low-cost 2D plotter

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machine
Shani Ranjan Mani Rani Shweta Ranjan Dr. Manmohan Singh
Dept. of EIE, SLIET Dept. of EIE, SLIET Dept. of ECE, VITS Dept. of EIE, SLIET
Longowal, Punjab, India Longowal, Punjab, India Satna, M.P., India Longowal, Punjab, India.

Abstract- This paper represents an Arduino Uno and Motor

driver ICs based automatic technique for implementation of any
text or image to its 2D plotted text or image by 2D plotter CNC
machine. In this era the technology based on CNC machine
increases. The fabrication of low cost CNC machine is used to
reduce cost and complexity of machine. The idea behind the
project is how to make 2D plotter CNC machine faster and
relatively lower cost than others.

Keywords—2D plot ; G-code ; Inkscape; CNC;

I. INTRODUCTION
The use of technology in education has become
indispensable. However the cost associated with the advanced
technologies is very high. Computers, softer and the interface
which is available between the hardware and software has Figure 1. 3D model of 2D plotter CNC machine
taken education a step ahead of the old days were visualization,
verification was so very difficult [1-3]. Low-cost robots serve III. METHODLOGY
a lot of purpose in education [4-5]. Plotters are generally use to The coordinates are uploaded to the machine controller by a
make 2D plots which is digitally controlled. This 2D plots separate program. The image file is transformed into a G-code
CNC machine can be replaced by higher specific laser sources via software. Then the code is transferred to the microcontroller
which can be used for cutting of different materials of different by which the motor mechanism is instructed to draw image. In
strength in 3D plots. The 2D plotter is designed to recording this paper, we are going to present a simple design for 2D
and plotting two dimensional data on a rectangular coordinate plotter. Our idea is an Arduino based on Arduino Uno and
system [6-11]. In computer numeric control Arduino Uno L293D motor driver.
microcontroller and L293D motor driver is used which is
capable of processing logical instruction interfaces with The machine will have three motors to implement X, Y and
computer. A CNC plotter machine is a 3D controlled 2D Z axis. A servo motor will be used along the Z axis for
plotting machine which uses a pen to draw text or image on any positioning the pen which will go up for logic ‘0’ and down for
given solid surface. The coding for the CNC system which is logic ‘1’ [17]. Drawing will be done on the X-Y plane where
G-code programming. G-code is a function to tell the machine the positioning will be controlled by stepper motors. System
to move to various point at the desired speed, control the overview is provided in figure 2.
spindle speed and turn on and off at various positions [12-14].
Meanwhile, low cost and easily controlled function of the
Arduino system contributed on simplifying the building The X axis is attached to two plastic parts and it was cut it
circuity of microcontroller in the 2D potter [15-16]. to fit the construction. Ensure to put the Y axis straight to 2D
plotter base and the X axis vertically in this. On that surface the
servo motor (Z axis) will be attached to the pen base. Pen must
II. MODELLING be able to move up and down with the aid of servo motor. Now
The idea was conceived and the 3D model of the low-cost it will have to attach a hard surface on Y axis.
pen plotter was modelled using commercially available CAD
software. The 3D model of the general 2D plotter is shown in
figure 1.
The plotter has 3degrees of freedom. The pen can move up
and down in the Z axis and the pen is free to move along 2D
plane (X-Y axis). The pen is gripped by servo motor for
upward and downward movement. The setup has base to
enclose the circuitry. Above the base mechanism to move the
plotter in X and Y direction and ahead which carries the pen is
assembled on the base. Two bi-directional motors are used in
which one motor is used for X axis and another for Y axis.

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 Published by : International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
http://www.ijert.org ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 7 Issue 05, May-2018

Figure 4: Arduino Uno Software

B. Inkscape
The use of Inkscape is to convert any image into graphics
code usually known as G-code. G-code formats are generated
by integrating Inkscape with necessary extension files [19].
Figure 2: Block Diagram of 2D CNC Plotter
G-code tools is an open source Inkscape extension, to
On this, it will put the paper piece to print the text or image export G-code for use with the CNC machine, written in the
that we programmed. The area of printing is 4cm x 4cm. Python programming language. Inkscape extensions work in
Schematic circuit diagram of 2D CNC plotter as shown in standard Unix IO model, taking SVG on standards input, and
figure 3. output transformed SVG on standard output [20]. Figure 5
shows the Inkscape software which is used to convert an image
to its G-code.

Figure 3: Circuit Diagram of CNC machine

To complete the entire project three software is used-

• Arduino IDE
Figure 5: Inkscape Software
• Inkscape
C. Processing
• Processing
Processing is open source programming language software
A. Arduino IDE which is used for electronic drawings. GTCRL processing
program is used to send G-code file from user interface to CNC
The Arduino Integrated Development Environment plotter. The port of Arduino Uno is selected by pressing ‘P’
(Arduino IDE) contains a text editor for writing code, a button on keyboard hence ‘G’ button is used to Arduino. The
massage area, a text console, a tool bar with buttons for full CNC code is uploaded in the Arduino then the Arduino will
common function and series menus. It connects to the Arduino wait for G-code file from processing software. When the
and Genuino hardware to upload programs and communicate processing software sent command to Arduino it will start
with them [18]. Figure 4 shows the Arduino software to plotting the G-code on 2D plane [21]. Figure 6 shows the
program the Arduino Uno. Processing software which uploaded GTCRL code to CNC
machine.

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(This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)
 Published by : International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
http://www.ijert.org ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 7 Issue 05, May-2018

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to the Department of Electrical and
Instrumentation Engineering at Sant Longowal Institute of
Engineering and Technology Longowal, Punjab for providing
the instruments and healthy work environment to carry out this
project.
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