In the previous tutorial, be build a mini CNC plotter with Arduino Uno by recycling 2 old dvd players. Here’s how to prepare your gcode files needed for the gctrl program. It’s very easy to prepare your own gcode files with the Unicorn MakerBot extension for Inkscape available here. For those who do not know, Inkscape is an open source (and free) vector drawing software.
Depending on your computer, download and install Inkscape version 0.48.5 here. Then, retrieve the Unicorn MakerBot extension on GitHub. To install it, simply copy the src directory contents into the Inkscape extensions directory. Depending on your environment, here is the installation path of the extension.
Note that the MaketBot Unicorn extension does not work beyond Inkscape version 0.48.5.
- OS X – /Applications/Inkscape.app/Contents/Resources/extensions
- Linux – /usr/share/inkscape/extensions
- Windows – C:\Program Files\Inkscape\share\extensions
With the extension installed, you can open Inkscape.
First, you must first configure the document properties (file -> document properties). Select the default unit in cm with a page size of 8 cm x 8 cm.
You have an area of 4cm x 4 cm. Your drawing must remain in the upper right quarter.
Your finished drawing, selected all items then go to Path -> Object in Path. This transformation is necessary before generating the gcode file. However, you will lose certain properties of the objects (eg the text will no longer be editable). If you want to make subsequent changes, save your work in svg format before doing the conversion.
The conversion done, we can generate the gcode file. Just make file -> save as then select Makerbot Unicorn (this is the extension we previously installed). If the option is not available, the extension is not properly installed.
Validate without changing anything in the dialog box that appears next.
And now you are ready to trace your work!
I hope you find everything you need to make your Mini Plotter. I hope I did not forget anything. Do not hesitate to share your experience or add your tricks. The comments are there for that.
- Gateway RFLink with RobotDyn Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini and 3D printed case
- Weather station with ePaper display (Dashboard) for Jeedom on Raspberry Pi (via the JSON RPC API)
- Publish the CO2 concentration of an MH-Z19 sensor to Domoticz, Arduino code compatible ESP32 / ESP8266
- Python library evdev on Raspberry Pi to use a Gamepad in your DIY projects (servomotor, games, robotic…)
- ESP32 MicroPython project with several DS18B20 probes, publish the measurements to Domoticz using the HTTP JSON API
- FarmBot Genesis XL, the robotic garden is growing. A project based on Raspberry Pi 3 and Arduino Mega 2560
