Direct ink to PCB CNC-Plotter pt. 3

[@rangita2]

I like this. Smart, inexpensive part choices. The perfboard for pen stabilization is brilliant.

[@kamalkgk]

Very nice but I wish you do a step by step DIY build on Instructables. I would love to build this. Thankyou.

[@coatduck]

This is literally the most amazing thing I've seen all day. Absolutely you get a subscribe. I made a comment on the last one about 3d printing this whole thing, and I had thought about some improvements I could make to it, and I find this video just to see that not only have you done every single one of the improvements I'd thought of, you'd also 3d printed it, and you'd made a ton of improvements I hadn't even thought of. I am absolutely stunned, this is a beautiful machine and you should be incredibly proud of it. What do you use it for?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Well, this project has kept me going for more than a year now. The little plotter makes my PCBs and does a good job at that. Currently I am looking to make a 'all professional parts' version of the plotter, with more speed and a little less resolution. This version has been a learning experience all the way - and is a very good blueprint to start something bigger. Maybe the step after the next will be a $100 3D printer using these parts.

[@radiorob007]

it is absolutely beautiful! but now should we actually would have something like Thingivers ( a Library ) where we can bring and get the software PCBs share the PCBs with each other. best regards Rob.

[@radiorob007]

fun to see it again and again! but there is now a library somewhere? Where do you store all those PCBs and share them ??? Did not think about it yet, Too bad! Well look at Thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/ it would still be a dream ........ right? Best regards from the Netherlands! Rob.

[@mean1flyer]

i really like the symplicity of your design,it is very nice and looks to be easy to build

[@yurif74]

hello i definitely want to build one, could you share the ebay link of exact steppers and servo you used, please?

[@base2446]

Building this the weekend just ordered all the parts. Went with some better quality motors as they were on offer.

[@qdzung86]

Congrats! Simple is the best!

[@untrust2033]

Is the pen the fine liner 0.4mm, 0.6mm, or bullet 1mm type? I'm guessing they could be interchangeable depending on whether the pcb is for SMD or THT

[@dherrendoerfer]

It's 0,4mm but 0.7 is also available and the pens are basically interchangeable.

[@untrust2033]

@@dherrendoerfer I got the 0.4mm and used it with a pen holder on my 3d printer, worked beautifully!

[@GiridharRajuNM]

Awesome build!!!

[@Firashelou]

hello Dirk, I would like to know please how to assemble this cnc ? i have printed all parts but i need to know the distances between each support and the assembly of the extruder please

[@PopGheorghe]

Perfect! And I wanted to buy a expensive CNC machine(400$) for doing PCBs. :-)

[@dherrendoerfer]

It probably won't beat the expensive machine, but it might be a small-expense alternative.

[@PopGheorghe]

I started to print my parts, but i have one question. From where you got the 5mm steel rod?

[@dherrendoerfer]

From the Home building and supplies store down the road where I also got the brass rods, but you can probably find some on ebay. 5mm carbon fiber rods work too, they're common with kite builders.

[@PopGheorghe]

Dirk Herrendoerfer​ thx for the tip with the kite builder. Managed to find them in a local plane modeling store.

[@existeummundoalemdoobvio]

But as I run the schematic? I design in Proteus and run the scheme in CNC? as?

[@dherrendoerfer]

you need to turn your output (image or gerber) to g-code. Export images as HPGL and use the hp2xx tool, or output gerber and use FlatCam.

[@existeummundoalemdoobvio]

Obrigado, será minha primeira PCB feito, mas o regime em Fritzem, que procuro, um abraço - The google translation is bad, sorry

[@dherrendoerfer]

I've never used Fritzing, I stick with Eagle to make my PCBs

[@existeummundoalemdoobvio]

Yes, Eagle is good, but Fritzen even children understand, if you want to be 100% didactic, would use Fritzem also. but thanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

I didn't, its a stock 405nm laser from DX.com. I just twiddled the power supply a bit.

[@jegb70]

Here is the assembly on openscad, thanks Dirk! www.thingiverse.com/thing:725706

[@dherrendoerfer]

Awesome !

[@regot1504]

Dirk Herrendoerfer hi dirk why does the plotter plot circuit board v4 smaller size using using gcode sender is it in the firmware v1 plotted fine please help

[@variostutos]

Thanks! Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!

[@Electronic_hobby]

Question: How do you create a g-code that draws pcb traces instead o their outline? It is easy to export a vector image of PCB and open it in Inkscape, then do a few manipulations and export g-code, but that g-code would draw outlines of the traces and not the traces themselves. So what I'm saying, it is easy to generate g-code for milling or laser, but how to generate it for drawing?

[@dherrendoerfer]

I'm using Eagle EDA. Eagle has a CAM module that can output HPGL. HPGL is basically already vectorized output for the traces. I then pass the HPGL output to a tool called HP2XX, that can turn it directly into g-code.

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Nicely done! How prone is the nylon thread to stretching ?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Over time ? Not very, the nylon is elastic, but does not give in over time.

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

@@dherrendoerfer Thanks.

[@kwanhimshek]

I was curious about... do you have endstops added? I didn't spot one and, if no, how do you manage to home axes? By hand? I'm planning to make one based on things I can buy on local hardware store. your help is much appreciated !

[@dherrendoerfer]

I have tried endstops, but for most boards I now align manually. The first version would move into the end positions (and much further) and then to a predifined position, using the end positions and the slip on the belt to find a suitable zero position.

[@kwanhimshek]

that makes sense! thanks!

[@1TUROKMAN]

Wonderfull machine. Could you publish the scheme of controller board with arduino nano? Thanks

[@stanislasnguimatsa2555]

hello thank you for answered I already looked for the material for the conception but my problem it is the software and how to program

[@dherrendoerfer]

What is the problem with the software ?

[@JansenProfessor]

Please, you can specify which electrolytic capacitors and the transistor may be a 7805?

[@dairoandresforerovasquez2514]

Hello is to make a it question on axis x, and not should lead to a set of the career

[@1TUROKMAN]

Thanks for the schematic, Can you tell us the list of components at control board?

[@dherrendoerfer]

You need 2x ULN2003 or 2004, one 7805 regulator, two capacitors. The power regulator goes into the upper left. If you want to use the laser you also need a mosfet and a resistor. If someone is a master at eagle I would really love to have a component layer for the .brd

[@joellima2201]

Dirk Herrendoerfer boa tarde amigo dirk!! vc poderia me enviar o esquema e a lista de componentes ,para essa placa ; se possivel tambem a parte do laser.meu mail:[e-mail]. fico grato amigo .

[@dherrendoerfer]

Apologies, I don't have a layout anymore, all the files are in the github. I will add a list of components.

[@margran1]

Can end stop awitches be added to your setup? I think I may need to add them to the bigger plotter when I make it.

[@naymyo5230]

how to generate gcode for pcb plotting? not milling. Which software is best for generating gcode for pcb plotting?

[@thecatofnineswords]

It's been nice seeing the improved performance (accuracy, etc etc) with each major revision. It's also bloody nice to see this made from recycled parts. We need more of this!!! Do you find the perfboard pen guide helps? I saw that and immediately thought, "Neat improvement!"

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yeah, the perfboard guide shaved away about 80% of all the backlash in the system. It's well worth it.

[@jagiasumittal3173]

Does this cnc machine write documents to perfection. I am afriad, as it shows oly making lines.

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes it does - but it requires quite a lot of time. There's a small sample here (with the previous machine build) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-aoWlogbGSqLs

[@hugomg1000]

Hi friend, thank you for sharing your video. I have a great doubt, where is the program to load the gcode files, is that I do not understand very well since you share us the UCNC files but all are in .INO termination, which is done with these files. thanks for your reply

[@dherrendoerfer]

To transfer the gcode to the controller you can use standard programs like gcodesender for example.

[@KenxyDaniel]

hola en que posicion van los componentes porque en el pdf que dejastes solo salen como van conectados y no sale las imagenes en miniatura de los componentes, nose si me logra entender?

[@dherrendoerfer]

The components are shown in the eagle schematic - yes I should really add a pdf with the component side only. Will do when I get back home.

[@KenxyDaniel]

Ok, please could help me on that, and tell me which programs to used, THANK YOU excellent channel a like ..

[@Milos_Animes]

I mounted my cnc 20 in length by 15 cm in width, will it work normally with that size? And what do I have to change in the code?

[@dherrendoerfer]

The code I wrote and GRBL too do not care about the size - they start of from where you home it.

[@contasdecasa9216]

como voce fez para colocar o naylon no motor poderia me ensinar

[@dherrendoerfer]

The nylon is fixed to the carriage by simple knots and a bit of hot glue to keep it from slipping. Make two loops around the stepper axle with the nylon, knot it to the carriage, and finally add another loop around the stepper axle to tension the nylon.

[@jackiemuller883]

Hi, Very great job I have a problem with USB disconnect during printing,i had change usb cable , arduino chip and the problem is not resolved. Have you any idea? Thanks Jack

[@dherrendoerfer]

Have you tried a a cable with a ferrite noise suppressor? The Arduino on my chiller won't stay running without one on the cable.

[@jackiemuller883]

@@dherrendoerfer Thanks for the answer i have put the ferrite supressor on my usb cable .It works good but i had one usb disconnect (message :kernel: [12149.382934] ch341-uart ttyUSB0: usb_serial_generic_read_bulk_callback - urb stopped: -32) with no trouble for our program. i have 2 motors (28BYJ48) and a servo for the pen i use the mode 1 ,i find a very long delay ( 10 seconds)after pen down is it normal ? why can i reduce this delay? I had problems of positionning in X and Y axis with the nylon string (0.5 mm) i have use threaded shaft diam 4 mm on X and Y axis very slow but very reliable ,and i have to use long integer instead integer for the variables for the motors

[@padmaramr4303]

Very nice work. Being impressed with your work, I tried building one, but the nylon wire forms a knot after moving over some distance. How you avoid the nylon turns from sliding along the motor shaft (axially) as it rotates?

[@dherrendoerfer]

I did not have that issue so far - you need to make sure that the windings do not form a loop (that would turn into a knot), but apart from that I had no such problem so far. The Nylon needs some space to move up and down, and it does just that on my machines. Maybe you have to much tension on the nylon.

[@lOlivetGT]

Hi friend, did you know a metod to do it with DC motors With lineal o rotary encoders?

[@dherrendoerfer]

My personal love-affair with DC actuators is over - It wasn't the encoders, or the drivers - it was the fact that I was simply unable to get two of them synchronized.

[@lOlivetGT]

yep. im having the same problem... in my country is imposible to buy lineal steel shaft, for that, im trying to use the printer head carriage, with DC motor and lineal encoder. but im stucking... tanks a lot for answer friend. and I LOVE the machine of this video. i allready build One, but is too slow. tanks again friend.

[@matheuspereira1327]

Hello, guy Would you tell me about how the nylon wire was fixed in structures. The footage wasn't clear. thank you!!!

[@dherrendoerfer]

Just with a knot, and some hot glue to keep the knot from slipping.

[@margran1]

I want to make a similar plotter like the one above but I want to make it able to handle paper as well. The maximum size would be about 8.5 by 14 inches or a little more. I think I would need an extra motor for the X-axis because of the larger size and I am thinking of making the bed stationary and having the gantry doing all the movement. Can you help me to achieve this? What would I have to do to the circuitry and the software to make this happen?

[@stevenlee1726]

Do we need cnc shield to build this? I am a beginner, sorry

[@trixietraxobsioma4422]

hi dirk, can i have the step by step procedure and steps on how to operate this ? specially on the software and the programs , i cant understand other terminologies ... :) i just want to build like this, so useful for me. thanks !

[@dherrendoerfer]

+trixietrax obsioma Apart from the usage videos, I have no guides that provide more atomic detail, the source of the firmware is documented very well. More detail does not really make sense, because every build will differ from the others.

[@petermoscicki9942]

Hi Dirk, can you explain how to eliminate gear slack?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Best, not to have any in the first place, but in software you can always prepend a number of steps to the panned move, if the direction changes to remove any eventual slack.

[@petermoscicki9942]

Thank you Dirk, can you share the sequence of steps needed while changing direction?

[@cosmoferraro2724]

this is fantastic. Is possible to have a component list for controller v4 and a link for stepper motors? thank you

[@dherrendoerfer]

Sure, follow the link in the description of the video. You'll find everything there.

[@cosmoferraro2724]

I had downloaded the zip, but I did not see a few things, sorry😊

[@cosmoferraro2724]

Hi, I would like to use bipolar motors but I did not understand how to mount the 3d printed parts of plotter v4

[@brayancruz5094]

HOLA. HACE UN MES ARME LA PBC. EL TEMA ES QUE CARGO TODO EN EL ARDUINO-NANO Y NO SE MUEVEN LOS MOTORES NI EL SERVO, ME PUEDES AYUDAR A SOLUCIONARLO?

[@gagnonheroux]

Very cool project! I will definitely try to make one and report back on how I go. Thanks for sharing the files, etc.

[@invention.5006]

Bro please tell me about software work step by step (which needs install and what should I do step by step) plesaee....

[@dherrendoerfer]

Basically, you just need to load the project into the Arduino IDE, configure the board parameters and go! To get all files in a convenient package to to the uCNC_Controller project page on github and select download as zip. That will make all steps way more simple.

[@alvaroamorim6344]

Great project. The pens sold in Brazil do not fit. What is the width used in the project where the pen is?

[@dherrendoerfer]

The pens are 9.6mm thick, and have a line width of 0.4mm As I understand it Staedler LUMOCOLOR permanent pens are (or used to be) available in Brazil through Amazon.

[@vinaysidawadkar9791]

Plz tell me how to burn arduino file of your plotter....so many files are there plz kindly make any video on it..plz

[@kareemmostafa7838]

I'm very interested in your project, can you explain please how did you connect nylon strings to the motor? Thanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

The string is only wound around the stepper axle (3 turns). The ends of the string are attached to the tool holder (slider) assembly by a simple knot, and some hot-glue to keep the string from slipping.

[@mohammedabbas356]

Hi,Dirk! I love ur plotter! so currently i'm just beginning to build thank you so much

[@dairoandresforerovasquez2514]

estoy a migo que pena por tanta en si tencia pero como se llama la placa que esta conectada vía ubs es el mimo arduino y que programa utilizo para controlar el arduino desde la pc para poder imprimir la imagen

[@mohammedabbas356]

HELLO please what pin should i use if i use arduino uno for the servo pin and X axis driver pin and Y axis drive pin ? thanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

Hi, the pin for the servo is usually 12, the pins for the steppers are documented in the source code and depend on the way you want to connect them to the Arduino. Please look at uCNC_controller.ino .

[@xitrum11]

Perfect! Perfect!, Can you please tell me the axle length information X, Y and circuit board version? Thanks so much!

[@dherrendoerfer]

I usually go for 80x80mm or 160x100mm as usable area. I use the v1 or v1c board for that.

[@xitrum11]

Thanks! Can I upload uCNC_controller_v4 and select v1_board.h? I have finished hardware v1 and v4, software, can not use GRBL control or Gcode sender to control it running, all hangs ... but, i trying..

[@xitrum11]

oh so small, the picture from the video made me think it big, i designed to 400x200mm :)

[@dherrendoerfer]

You can go bigger, no problems with that from the software, but at a certain size it becomes very hard to keep the rods parallel, and there will be issues if you only use nylon. To use GRBL software, you need to disable the position reporting and cache use. In ping-pong mode these tools will work.

[@valdirlima8778]

Where are the connections of the main board to stepper motors?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Valdir Lima SV2, SV3,SV4, The 5pin connectors on the high pin side of the ULN2003s. Pin1 is +12V common and the other pins are the separate coil connections for unipolar steppers.

[@mickeyvanaudenhaege3692]

Hi Dirk. I have made the controller V4 PCB and assembled it correctly. I flashed the firmware onto Nano but i fail to get it to work. What is the correct GRBL APP to use? I tried GRBL CONTROLLER and GRBL LASER but nothing works. Maybe you made the firmware for something else. I am using POLULU drivers and Nema 17 motors 12V input. Please help. Thank You from Durban in South Africa.

[@dherrendoerfer]

Hi Mickey, I use a tool called g-code sender (no universal). GRBL sender programs may work, but you need to disable the use of cache and position reporting, those two functions are GRBL exclusives that I do not support with my simple firmware. Cheers from Germany, Dirk

[@enricoc.]

Good job. I'm getting ready to make one. Taking a look at the circuit and the pcb, I saw that the circuit is powered at 12 volts and also the two I.C. ULN2003 but the stepper motors are 5-volt, it is correct?

[@dherrendoerfer]

The steppers are available as 5 and 12 Volt models (same model number). You should use whatever your stepper requires. When I build the circuit I had 12V steppers, I now use 5V models with a 6V supply, slightly overvolting them for better torque.

[@enricoc.]

+Dirk Herrendoerfer Thanks a lot Dirk.

[@Ivzu]

So your program uses H-bridges(4 pin input)and not 2 pin one which require special chips and ardunio shields.So basically you have 4 wires going from arduino to ULN2003 which control the motors.So you have 8 pin's on arduino taken for controlling steppers out of 14? And do your steppers become a bit warm when turned on because mine do?Just testing one stepper didn't build anything yet.

[@dherrendoerfer]

I use the ULN2003 chips (which are darlington drivers, not H-bridges), and connect 8 of those drivers to arduinos outputs, yes. With the ULN2003 you can drive unipolar steppers (5 or 6 wires), with two H-bridges you can drive a unipolar stepper (w. 4 wires). The steppers get warm, yes - the firmware I made turns off the power to the steppers after a short time of inactivity.

[@dherrendoerfer]

***** You will need to change the code to match the configuration of the driver board - apart from that it does not matter that much.

[@Zikeyboy101]

how to configure max travel distance of stepper motors? and how to set soft limits?

[@dherrendoerfer]

This simple machine has none of those - the windings of nylon on the stepper shafts act as a sort of clutch to keep the machine from damaging itself, apart from that the responsibility lies with the user to make sure jobs fit the layout and positioning of the machine.

[@Zikeyboy101]

Thanks for your prompt response, i also want to ask, do i need to manually move the X and Y motor to a desired position on the workspace before powering the machine and sending gcode to it? If yes, do i have to move it to right-corner or left-corner? I really want to be careful with this as it is my first time.

[@dherrendoerfer]

I usually move the tool to the zero position of the PCB I want to plot using the manual moves of the control software.Then I reset the position to zero and plot from there. Depending on the software you use the zero position will normally be in the lower left corner.

[@ernie4886]

Excellent! Thank you for posting! I found countless details and hints in the vídeo. An encouragement for me trying to build my own.

[@marioc5709]

I would like to build a machine like yours, You could tell me which parts make up the project and where to buy them I mean the electronic parts engines and others. I forgot and design the board to connect arduino parts and other components. And the stl needed to print the machine

[@dherrendoerfer]

Did you take a look at the link down in the description yet ?

[@Booruvcheek]

Thank you for uploading these videos! I was looking for mini-CNC projects aimed specifically at PCB making when I came across them, and I want to base my machine on your design. Only instead of drawing traces with a marker I want to scrape paint off PCB with a tip of a steel rod. Could you please share the design of the part the nylon string rides on (@1:11)? I can see a bolt and a nut, and two washers, but what's in the middle? Is the string wound around a bearing? Doesn't it slip down (or up) when the machine is running? Also, how did you fix the strings to carriages? Thank you once again!

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes, it's held in place by a bolt and the nylon runs over a bearing. The plans are in my github repo, the link to that is in the description. Scratching might require a stronger machine though. But I never tried a very small engraver pen yet. I use the laser method from Marco Reps, that works very well. Cheers, Dirk

[@Booruvcheek]

@@dherrendoerfer I didn't realize git repo contains more than just code, I'll take a look, thanks! I've already ordered 604zz bearings, the version with a groove, guess they should do fine as pulleys. Regarding scratching being more demanding, my plan is to use linear bearings both to move the stylus carriage on x axis and to hold the stylus itself. Hope 28BYJ-48 are strong enough, if not, i would have to look for something else. Thank you once again!

[@krutharthchickmagalur6211]

can u do a step by step build on this

[@invention.5006]

Can u give me a code for testing a single 28byj motor with 2004A+ Nano /uno

[@hugomg1000]

Hi, good morning, excuse me, load the ucnc code that I provide, I want to play a g-code in the softwere gcode sender v1.0.9 with 9600 baud, if I recognize the arduino nano card, but it does nothing when I want to play the g -code.html do you have any suggestions? Maybe it's the universal universal gcode version? You may need to modify a parameter? I thank you for your answer

[@dherrendoerfer]

So, you were able to transfer the Arduino sketch to the Arduino and you have tested the basic functionality by issuing commands through the Arduino serial console ? Then you should use gcodesender ( not universalgcodesender) to send your g-code. If the transfer stops when you hit a command with a Z axis move, you need to look into the uCNC_controller.ino file and make sure that motor_mode is set to something that resembles your setup. But if you have it transferred and communicating you're already 80% there.

[@hugomg1000]

Thanks for replying, sorry, I search the gcodesender software on the net but I do not find it since they appear only with the name of universalgcodesender, you will have usded a download link if you were kind enough to provide it

[@hugomg1000]

Is this the program? chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gcode-sender/ngncibnakmabjlfpadjagnbdjbhoelom

[@hugomg1000]

Sorry, I loaded a gcode to gcodesender but the servo does not move, if you could specify which parameter I should change?. Thank you

[@dherrendoerfer]

Use this one: github.com/OttoHermansson/GcodeSender/downloads

[@stevenlee1726]

Hello, urgent, i wanna ask whether the marker pen ink will be etch away? Urgent as I want to make one and dono whether it will work

[@dherrendoerfer]

The marker ink will keep the copper underneath from being etched away. But the copper surface must be very clean for the process to work perfectly.

[@MrIgaletin]

hi,im really like youre works. do you have any instructions how to bulid this plotter or calirate it?

[@juliusparker3039]

Please, do you have the complete kit for sale ,if yes how much in dollar

[@jimmyzhanneutron]

What is the trace resolution that can be achieved? Can this do QFP packages with 0.5 mm pitch? Thanks.

[@dherrendoerfer]

Jimmy Zhan The resolution can be as small as 0.05mm, but the best pen I have has 0.4mm line width. So the answer is probably not.

[@jimmyzhanneutron]

Interesting, since the accuracy is pretty good, another thing you could try is to use conductive ink/pen on a substrate directly, and use silver epoxy in place of soldering.

[@dherrendoerfer]

I have build an antenna with conductive silver paint on plastic foil. Yes that worked very well too.

[@peterbachstudio]

Hi sir Do you have a making video for this project or even PDF building guide ? Thank's

[@dherrendoerfer]

I don't think that I do - but it's pretty much self explanatory, and the videos do show the set-up pretty well.

[@peterbachstudio]

Dirk Herrendoerfer ok thank you

[@bumbarabun]

Not sure that using those steppers is a good idea - you do not need such torque, but geared box has gap, which will create inaccuracy with changing directions (or you need to push it one side).

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes, true - the software I wrote for this has backlash compensation for exactly that reason.

[@yashjaiswal2306]

Hi, you have created such an awesome plotter, Thanks for sharing all the files. im also makig this,but the Gcoode sender you have provided keeps hanging, it gets unresponsive after some time, How can i use other Gcode senders with this ??

[@dherrendoerfer]

Well, it should bot do that .... you may want to check, that the configuration for the Z-Axis is correct in the code, that can lead to this stall-like behaviour. But all other gcode sender tools should work too, as long as they do not depend on GRBL-like status messages, because my firmware does not have that.

[@yashjaiswal2306]

How do you mean ? what z axis configuration ?

[@juniorRacing100]

hello friend is armed your project but have no problem with the PC application that you use is not able abrila and because it works with another application could help me with that I hope your answer

[@dherrendoerfer]

+antonio sanchez Hello ! Sorry I cannot understand the question - can you resent in native language, maybe I can read that better with the help of google translate.

[@AlanGonzalez-om4rr]

A bit late, but he build the CNC and he wants help to use other g-code sender app, his native lang is spanish C:

[@yerdna1983]

I have question about speed, is possible to draw more quicker? With NEMA 17 will it draw quicker? (or speed is according chosen main board? arduino?)

[@dherrendoerfer]

+yerdna1983 Yes, it can go a lot faster. The small motors have a 64x gear reduction, but even the small ones will go faster.

[@jcg7719]

Ever tried to use one of those art brushes that have a paint reservoir but fill it with a low concentration nitric acid solution? would this be too crazy?

[@dherrendoerfer]

no, I have not - the concentration of the etchant would have to be really high unfortunately - i tried submerging the pcb in etchant that is inert at room temperature but etches when above 50C - then I heated spots on the pcb with a laser - that worked. But the vapor from the laser was not healthy to the laser lens, which fogged up after a couple of minutes.

[@muddassirazmi3059]

Hey dirk what is difference between stepper motor 28ybj-48 and stepper 28byj-48? Here in our market stepper motor 28byj-48 is available... So tell wich motor better ?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Honestly, I have no Idea. I think they are probably the same - I just recently found out that there is a 6V version available that I'd never heard about in 5 years. These steppers are so generic, that there's so little known about each version. I don't know if one is better than the other.

[@Sergiolinux]

please where can I find the scheme of electronic links? congratulations and thank you

[@benjip6779]

i wonder what you use as etchant to remove the copper. Do you think is your etching solution available in austria, middle europe?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes, Natriumpersulfat. It is available in Europe, but the order amount may be limited, and you may need to state the usage intent.

[@benjip6779]

Dirk Herrendoerfer ok, danke! Es ist bei reichelt elektronik äußerst günstig.

[@dherrendoerfer]

Bei reichelt gibt es das nicht für Privatpersonen. Eher bei Conrad glaub ich.

[@benjip6779]

Dirk Herrendoerfer doch, bei reichelt gibt es das. ich habe den prospekt hier vor mir liegen. da steht nur dass man extra unterschreiben muss, dass man es nur in erlaubter weise verwendet.und das alter muss man angeben.

[@tobivaz9409]

Hola disculpe una pregunta¿ se puede utilizar los programas de 64 bits y no hay problema si utilizo el arduino uno? Espero su respuesta.

[@dherrendoerfer]

+Tobi Vaz You are free to use 32- or 64-bit programs any way you like, the model of Arduino makes no difference there. I only advise the use of the 32-bit version of python, which works better with the python serial library, but even that problem will probably be fixed by now. If you are asking because you want to do 64-bit math on an Arduino, then the answer is probably yes, because the One is much faster at that than the 328s, but beware the one is 3.3V and not entirely 5V tolerant.

[@PauloHenrique-hg7iw]

and the project to make one at home ?

[@omer-ox1ps]

I am doing this project, I made the stepler ready driver card but I do not know if I have made the driver card. Can you give me the drawing of your stepp driver card

[@dherrendoerfer]

Did you pull the design files from githib yet? The link is in the description of this video. The 'Extra' directory has all the things you will need. For the small setup, you can use the v1 controller design

[@omer-ox1ps]

Thanks good work

[@Sidman723]

Hey Dirk, I am using the 28BYJ-48 steppers as you have in the in the video along with a small stepper to move the pen. I looked over the software as you said and I found the explanation for 'motor_mode.' From what I can see, it looks like I should be using motor_mode = 0 and not 1. Also, is this software only designed for normal steppers? The 28BYJ-48 steppers have a slightly different wiring diagram than a normal stepper where it has a common VCC and return legs. A normal stepper has two coils separated with no common between them.

[@dherrendoerfer]

With the small stepper you have the option of using a ULN2003 driver chip, od you can mod the stepper and use a Polulu stepper driver board. My firmware images support both. Yes with 3 steppers motor_mode=3 is correct.

[@dherrendoerfer]

Correction -> motor_mode=0.

[@jagiasumittal3173]

if i use arduino uno 328P version with 32k of flash , then what other parts i have to use for the software thing

[@dherrendoerfer]

It's probably best to use the ULN2003 drivers that come with the small steppers

[@Marco.Malatesta]

Hello, beautiful project, I would like to ask you kindly which code exactly you have to load on the Arduino board because I'm a bit confused, thanks, bye.

[@dherrendoerfer]

You are free to choose between the uCNC_controller firmware files from the project root directory or the v4 firmware from the beta directory.

[@Marco.Malatesta]

Thank you for your help, and again congratulations for the video, I subscribe to your channel, hello.

[@das250250]

Wonders if you can create micro router using a laser ?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes, for balsa wood or foam cutting this works - I used it for photopositive PCB material.

[@navaneethkrishnan3827]

sir im half way through the project.. i have made a v1 control board with 2 steppers and 1 servo. steppers give good response to commands while servo doesnt make a move. sometimes servo just gives a vibration.. is it a problem of volage to servo or software part? please do reply sir..

[@dherrendoerfer]

Check the supply voltage and power to the servo. You need to have the motor_mode variable in the uCNC_controller.ino set to a value that will actually control the servo, not a stepper.

[@navaneethkrishnan3827]

Dirk Herrendoerfer voltage is from regulated 5v supply right??? is it a problem of not getting enough current???

[@dherrendoerfer]

Possibly. But if you use a 5V Supply IC just for the servo, that should be enough.

[@navaneethkrishnan3827]

Dirk Herrendoerfer ohk dirk thankyou...let me check it... and finally one more could you please give me a download link for artgcode writer... grbl controller doesnt seem to work for sending .nc files..it stops after 7 commands and shows wait for OK failed.....please help

[@rodneybray9708]

Hi Dirk Another excellent video, thanks for sharing and all the additional info. A first class project. Missed the audio though! Regards Rod

[@suriyabala5860]

What component are u using Stepper motor+ servo motor + Arduino then ???

[@ВладимирМороз-й9ш]

Please share the drawings of the fasteners.Thanks in advance.Sorry for my English.Used a translator.

[@Hyperthermya]

Would you like to measure them? What would be the length 4x 5mm steel rod?

[@dherrendoerfer]

The length of the rods is mostly irrelevant, in this case they are 24cm for the y axis and 20cm for the x axis, but you are free to choose your own.

[@Hyperthermya]

tnx so much

[@irfannoor8556]

Good Work.Please you can tell me about the electrical circuit detail please... I'll thank full for you.

[@dherrendoerfer]

It's linked in the description of the video.

[@irfannoor8556]

Kindly provide your electrical circuit detail with component detail (name) thanks.

[@dherrendoerfer]

This contains the original Eagle files with components and values: To get to all the files, just download the repos zip archive. github.com/dherrendoerfer/uCNC_controller/tree/master/Extras/Controller_v1 That's the repo linked in the description of the video.

[@irfannoor8556]

Hy dude Please give me the component name for e.g(motor ics uln2004a) , capacitor value ?,Resistance value ?,Regulator value? ,Power value source and its range ? Thanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

Hey, don't dude me - From the bill of materials: Parts list for the controller: Quan.| Item -----+---------------------------------------------- 1 Arduino nano with 328P 2 ULN2003 or ULN2004 1 7805 Power regulator 1 Capacitor 1000uF/25V (input smoothing) 1 Capacitor 100uF/10V (5V smoothing) Male Connectors for Motors and Arduino Female pin connectors for Servo and Laser out. Optional Mosfet and Resistor for Laser driver (Choose what you need, depends on laser type)

[@lOlivetGT]

Hey bro. nice proyect man. but im having problem :(, whats is the version i must upload to my arduino uno? to use the 28BYJ-48 step motor?... tanks again

[@dherrendoerfer]

With the 28BYJ steppers you may use all versions of the firmware, have a look at v4 , it's a bit harder to set up, but it has the best feature set of the lot.

[@lOlivetGT]

tanks a lot bro. can you upload a video, how makes a correct G Code files. and how to set up to the CNC... Bro. this is a great proyect man.

[@lOlivetGT]

and sorry for my english. im learning but still bad xD...

[@dherrendoerfer]

I've made a number of videos on that matter - see the talk series on the channel playlists.

[@lOlivetGT]

you're right. tnaks a lot bro. i go to see that :)=

[@alandasilvaflorencio5800]

What software do you use to communicate between the circuit board and the computer. You could provide. Thank you.

[@clive0106]

Hi Dirk... More questions.. The v1c board looks like it should only be used with the 12V version of the 28BYJ-48? To use it with the 5V version of the 28BYJ, I should feed servo-pin-5 from the output of the regulator U3? Thanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

If you want to go with 5V to the steppers, then omit the 7805, and bridge pin 1 and 3. I've come to learn that the 5V steppers work best with about 7.5V, then you can also leave the regulator on the board.

[@vishnu7794]

Hi I want to make this PCB CNC plotter , can you please guide me

[@apostolosn5536]

Hi Great job with this mini CNC. Do you have a video that shows the machine with the latest controller? I believe it it V4? What is the difference between controllerV1 and controller V4 regarding functionality?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Apostolos N No, I don't have a video showing the new controller, I built this one (yes, the v4) to work with the X/Y stage from the Robin 3D printer, and make the most of an Arduino nano that way. The basic difference is the use of the Polulu controllers to get bipolar 4-wire steppers working with the setup I have so far. Many people have asked for that feature, and I wanted to do that too.

[@dairoandresforerovasquez2514]

sera que me puedes decir que partes utiliza para construirlo

[@dherrendoerfer]

Follow the link at the bottom of the description of the video - all project files, including the parts can be found there.

[@ardaseremet3515]

Hello Dirk I liked your project. I will make one soon. Does uCnc library work for stm32f103 board

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes it does, but make sure you deal with the 3.3V of the STM correctly.

[@jfilhoeletronica9538]

Onde posso comprar esses materiais de plástico?

[@adamfox6529]

I am sorry Dirk which store did you use to buy the 5mm steel rods, Brass tube 6mm out-5mm inner, Ball bearings 4/2mm and Magnets (5/1mm) ?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Most of the things I bought at a local builders market (Obi in germany), but granted that was like 5 years ago now. The bearings I use now are from the MiniZ remote control cars, 'cos I have so many spares. Rods come from ebay, the brass tubes from the local stores.

[@AFarmersSon]

Is it also okay to use 12v DC stepper motor rather than 5v DC motor

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes. The Controllers (ULN2003/4) are good up to 15V. To use bipolar steppers you need to use the v4 or uControl board.

[@AFarmersSon]

Dirk Herrendoerfer ok thank again

[@AFarmersSon]

Dirk Herrendoerfer thank you

[@m1ckey227]

Hi! Greatest DIY about PCB made! I don't pretty skilled in this theme so have one question - what about non 90 degree angles? In your progects there are no typical 45 degree connections. Please answer me) Thanks!

[@dherrendoerfer]

Mikhail F Other angles are no problem - look here for an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqvMqHpviteSbqM

[@das250250]

I love your work ..Great design , simple , elegant ,effective .. I wonder if anybody can print the STLs ? as I do not have a 3D printer ( yet )

[@dherrendoerfer]

It depends where you are from - there are loads of 3D print services around - some even in public places like libraries ....

[@das250250]

I need to check it out .. Does the git hub have instructions for assembly

[@dherrendoerfer]

No, but It's not that complicated, I didn't get to that yet.

[@jegb70]

Dirk Herrendoerfer I created a openscad assembly,, can share with link to your repo?

[@dherrendoerfer]

Sure. What license ?

[@claudioscatena7657]

Hello sir, good job but i have question: where you find the plastic support? it is made by yourself with 3d printer ? Tanks

[@dherrendoerfer]

Yes the frame and table are 3D-printed.

[@vishnu7794]

I m new to CNC can u please tell me how can I make PCB plotter using microcontroller

[@dherrendoerfer]

I can't tell you how to actually make it, but all the code and some useful descriptions and models are in the repo found in the videos description.

[@regot1504]

Dirk Herrendoerfer hi i really like your plotter when i try plot v4 circuit board with version 4 software its plots smaller than the size it should be any ideas i am using the beta directory with the small 28bjy-48 stepper motors the servo and motors all work fine thanks for any help