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FOAM PEN PLOTTER PROJECT.

INFORMATION

Client

Professor Enrique Gutierrez (ME360)

Location

Boston University, MA

Date

6/14/23 – 6/30/23

Teammates

Brian Chiu

Karan Mudgal

Nathan Lau

Raphael Mok

Programs Used

Arduino IDE

Flashprint Slicer

SolidWorks 

SolidWorks Motion Study

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DESCRIPTION

The task was to design a screw mechanism that would laterally move a pen lifter over a distance of 5cm. The pen lifter would first need to be lowered for the pen tip to make contact with the paper surface, then the entire mechanism would move in a straight line across the page before the pen would lift and the mechanism would return to its original position. 

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The mechanism uses two bearings to stabilize the screw and a clamp to connect the screw to the power of the large stepper motor. As the screw rotates, a nut (constrained by the pen lifter mechanism to the ground) is able to move left or right.

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As a result, the plotter was able to be calibrated to draw a 5cm line using a green marker (for visibility). 

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As a continuation of the project, I collaborated with two other members to construct a 2.5-degree-of-freedom pen mechanism that would be able to draw a square or any other shape using

G-Code. I worked on the wiring, structural construction, and the calibration of the mechanism.

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The y-axis layer is moved using two linear screw motors along the x-axis. Attached to the y-axis screw motor, is a pulley mechanism that controls the pen along the z-axis.  

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As a result, the mechanism was able to draw the square measuring 5cm by 5cm. The pen lowered until touching the surface then lifted when the box was drawn

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