Robot Draws Using Robust CNC

While initially developed for use in large factory processes, computer numeric control (CNC) machines have slowly made their way out of the factory and into the hands of virtually anyone who wants one. The versatility that these machines have in automating and manipulating a wide range of tools while at the same time maintaining a high degree of accuracy and repeatability is invaluable in any setting. As an illustration of how accessible CNC has become, [Arnab]’s drawing robot uses widely available tools and a CNC implementation virtually anyone could build on their own.

Based on an Arudino UNO and a special CNC-oriented shield, the drawing robot is able to execute G code for its artistic creations. The robot is capable of drawing on most flat surfaces, and can use almost any writing implement that will fit on the arm, from pencils to pens to brushes. Since the software and hardware are both open source, this makes for an ideal platform on which to build any other CNC machines as well.

In fact, CNC is used extensively in almost everything now, and are so common that it’s not unheard of to see things like 3D printers converted to CNC machines or CNC machines turned into 3D printers. The standards used are very well-known and adopted, so there’s almost no reason not to have a CNC machine of some sort lying around in a shop or hackerspace. There are even some art-based machines like this one that go much further beyond CNC itself, too.

9 thoughts on “Robot Draws Using Robust CNC

  1. The raster drawing video on he website reminds of the movie “I, Robot”. In one scene, a robot draws a picture – using both hands at once.
    Has anyone built a 2-pen drawing machine? With the actuator arms overlapping, like windscreen wiper blades?

  2. I’m confused by the usage of “Robust” in the title? It looks like a standard CoreXY gantry with a pen. I was hoping for some implementation of position correction or a maybe a novel building material, something more “robust” than what we’ve seen before…

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