There’s something uniquely satisfying about a pen plotter. Though less speedy or precise than a modern printer, watching a pen glide across the page, mimicking human drawing, is mesmerizing. This project, submitted by [Jacob C], showcases the Incrediplotter, a brilliant repurposing of a 3D printer built by him and his brother.
Starting with a broken 3D printer, [Jacob C] and his brother repurposed its parts to create a voice-controlled pen plotter. They 3D-printed custom components to adapt the printer’s framework for plotting. An STM32 Blue Pill running Klipper controls two TMC2208 motor drivers for the x- and y-axes, while a small standalone servo manages the pen’s height.
The unique twist lies in the software: you can speak to the plotter, and it generates a drawing based on your prompt without needing to select an image. The process involves sending the user’s voice prompt to Google Gemini, which generates an image. The software then converts this image into an SVG compatible with the plotter. Finally, the SVG is translated into G-Code and sent to the plotter to start drawing.
Thanks to [Jacob C] for sharing this impressive project. It’s a fantastic example of repurposing a broken machine, and the voice-to-image feature adds a creative twist, enabling anyone to create unique artwork. Be sure to check out our other featured plotter hacks for more inspiration.
I asked it to draw me a sheep, but it only drew me sick and old ones, and also a ram for some reason, but not a single one I would be satisfied with.
haha gemini integration sure is a gimmick
i’ve been thinking a lot about this sort of plotter hack because i kind of want a printer for the home. i don’t want a laser printer because they’re too big. and i don’t want an inkjet because i figure the ink will go bad long before i use it all. and there are tiny cheap 8.5″-wide thermal printers that are very attractive but i don’t want a bunch of BPA paper in my house. if i found a cheap dot matrix, it might suit the bill, but i’m not really excited about maintaining its ribbon either. really what i want is a thermal printer that works on regular paper, that gets hot enough to burn it slightly. but that seems unrealistic so all together i realized a pen plotter might be just the thing…and i do have the guts of an old 3d printer lying around….
i’m feeling kind of ridiculous about it, but i haven’t quite let go of the idea yet
Very cool! Keep up the good work, guys. – A Proud Mom <3