International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 4 Issue 5, August 2020 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Mini CNC Plotter and Laser Engraver

Aishwarya Gunjal, Ashwini Deshmukh, Priyal Narkar, Prof. Ameya Jadhav
Department of Electronics Engineering, Atharva College of Engineering, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Aishwarya Gunjal

CNC Machine system has been already implemented in industries but at a very | Ashwini Deshmukh | Priyal Narkar |
greater cost. Now-a-days because of growing technology in various Prof. Ameya Jadhav "Mini CNC Plotter and
dimensions. CNC system will make it easier for humans. Our idea of Laser Engraver" Published in
implementing Mini CNC Plotter and Laser Engraver is introduces to reduce the International Journal
man power. This paper discuss the design and implementation of two of Trend in Scientific
dimensional CNC router. Mini CNC plotter is designed to create complex Research and
designs as well as easy designs by just simple software. We have used CD Development (ijtsrd),
drives and along with that stepper motors which gives proper provision of ISSN: 2456-6470,
axes. This project has Arduino as its brain, through which inputs are given. Volume-4 | Issue-5,
August 2020, pp.364- IJTSRD31834
KEYWORDS: Arduino, CNC, CD drives 366, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd31834.pdf

Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and

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/4.0)
I. INTRODUCTION
Computer Numerical Control is used in industries to reduce CNC machines to implement their structures. In old papers
man power and make work efficient and easy. In CNC CNC machine systems was suitable for designing metallic
machine system machine tools are functioning by a and non-metallic materials. Using three axis. The three axes
numerical control. In this system, machines are programmed are X, Y and Z respectively. The biggest drawback of these
by CNC machine language called as G-Codes. G-Codes systems was complexity of connections, complexity of
controls the speed of the process, efficiency rate, working of tools and small machines used, difficulty to
coordination of the axes. Both metal and plastic parts can be understand each part, costly, high weight and occupies a bit
used to implement this structure. Our idea is inspired by CNC of more space. To overcome these problems we proposed an
plotter machine which is used for the job of creating complex idea of designing two axis CNC plotter machine which is low
designs. Our idea of this project is to create complex images in weight as compared to old implemented CNC plotter
by high watt burning laser machine module. This can be machines. It is possible because of two axis and wooden
done on any surface. Wooden surface, plastic surface or material with compact size. It can be made more light weight
metal surface. The two stepper motors and one servo motor by using aluminum parts for construction of this system. In
used, helps in movements of X, Y axes. Two CD Drives are our system we have to convey instructions to the machines
used for the movement on axes. Microcontroller is used to by using software which will be installed in computer device
controls the proper synchronization of these three motors or laptops which contains G-Codes to operate CNC plotter
during the process. The motors winding voltages were system. Inputs will be given to Arduino. Then further
displayed on the oscilloscope during the printing process to operation is carried out by stepper motors and servo motor.
investigate the synchronization between the three motors. As per the commands laser starts to move along X and Y axes
Arduino bases software language is used to operate this and engrave the images on given object. And the laser
machine. Inputs are given though Arduino. The design of the module is controlled by laser driver[5]
circuit is simple, inexpensive and can be accomplished using
commercially available components. This machine will be III. SYSTEM DESIGN
implemented in a miniature structure. To keep it low space The working of CNC plotter can be explained with the
occupied and light weight we will use wooden or aluminum following steps.
parts to implement this structure of project[3]
A. Connecting and assembling.
II. RELATED WORK The first step includes connecting arduino and L293D motor
From this module we describe the design and structure of driver properly, connecting CD drivers, stepper motor and
small two dimensional CNC router, monitoring system and servo motor driver shield. A laser or a pen is also added
controlling system. Previous systems used three dimensional which will help us in the process of engraving.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD31834 | Volume – 4 | Issue – 5 | July-August 2020 Page 364
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
For laser engraving, the pen is replaced with the laser which A stepper motor is a synchronous, brushless motor which
will perform engraving operations for engraving logos and divides full rotation in number of steps. An
trademarks [1] electromechanical device which converts electrical energy to
mechanical energy is called stepper motor. As long as the
motor is sized to application, the position of motor can be
controlled without any feedback mechanism. Generally,
stepper motors are DC motors which have multiple coils
moving in discrete steps.

3. Servo motor:

Fig.1 CNC plotter

B. Software processing and Engraving.

For the software part, we use arduino programming and
inkscape software. The arduino will read the inputs given to
it and convert into an output that is activating a motor while
the inksacpe software is a graphics editor which we use to
create border and convert image or text into g code files and
hence save our g code files. We need to convert this images
Fig. 3 Servo motor
and texts into codes so that our machine understands.
Whenever a code is uploaded, the arduino commands the
A servo motor is a device which allows precise control on the
motors to operate. With the help of stepper drivers, the
moments like push or rotate. It is a device which operates
stepper motor starts working and moving along axis. The
through servo mechanism. By using servo motor we can
laser is connected with the help of a laser screw. This screw
rotate an object to desired angles or distance. Servo motor,
helps in the movement of the laser along the axis X,Y or Z. In
because of these features is used in many applications like
this way, the laser will start working that is it can start
robotics or automated manufacturing.
engraving by burning or evaporating the material. During
the process of laser engraving, the laser impinges on the
4. G-codes:
material which creates a great amount of heat. This heat can
G-codes are used to command any computerized machine
change the colour, create a contrast depending upon the
how to perform a specific task like simple moves or
amount of time of heat or the exposure. Hence burning or
functions like drilling. Each G-code has a group number each
evaporating the material [7]
group has commands for specific subject.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF UNIT
5. Ardiuno uno:
1. Power supply:
It is a component which converts one type of electrical
energy to other like mechanical or chemical energy into
electrical energy. At least one electric load can be operated
using power supply. For example, a computer is a device
which converts AC power to several DC voltages.

2. Stepper motor:

Fig. 4 Arduino Uno

It is a microcontroller based on microchip ATmega328P

microcontroller. It can be used to interface many shields
(boards) and various circuits as it has 14 digital and 6 analog
input/output pins. These pins can be programmed using
Arduino IDE with USB cable. Arduino provides with the
facility of communication with computer or other arduino
Fig. 2 Stepper motor
board where ATmega328P is used for serial communication.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD31834 | Volume – 4 | Issue – 5 | July-August 2020 Page 365
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Features of Arduino VI. CONCLUSION
A. Microcontroller ATmega 328 In this project, a small scale CNC Plotter with laser engraver
B. Operating Voltage5V is designed and analyzed. The Special Application CNC
C. Input Voltage7-9V engraving machine based on Arduino is designed. The
D. Digital I/O Pins 14(of which 6 provide PWM output) Arduino based CNC machine has 3 axis motions which
E. Analog Input Pins 8(of which 4 are broken out onto communicates with the Arduino board which in turn drives
pins) the stepper motor drivers which run the stepper motor. The
F. DC Current per I/OPin40mA motor load calculations were done on no load condition and
G. Flash Memory 32 KB (2K Bused by boot loader) suitable allowance for machining is provided. This system
H. SRAM 2 KB functioning on G-codes and Arduino as its brain is possible to
I. EEPROM 1 KB engrave complex images and designs on any kind of surface
J. Clock Speed 16 MHz [1]

6. X-Y-Z axis stepper drivers: VII. REFERENCES

These stepper drivers are used to control the movement [1] Udit Pandey, Swapnil Raj Sharma, “Model and
over X, Y and Z axis. In X direction the stepper motor will Fabrication of CNC Plotter Machine”, International
move left and right in Y direction the stepper motor will Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and
move front and back and in Z direction the stepper motor Communication Engineering ISO 3297:2007 Certified
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drivers which are mounted on the arduino. By using these
[2] Harsh B. Panchal, Mayur S. VAJA, Priyanka D. Patel,
drivers stepper motor current can be controlled. The stepper
Uday N. Padia, “ARDUINO BASED CNC MACHINE”,
driver will rotate the lead screw which in turn will control
International Journal of Research In Science &
the movement of pen/laser.
Engineering Special Issue 7-ICEMTE March 2017.
7. Laser: [3] Aneeta Pinhiero, Beljo Jose, Tinsemon Chacko, Nazim
Here the laser used is Focusable Laser Module 200-250 mW TN, “Mini CNC Plotter”, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
650 nm. The outer metal housing work as a Heat sink for the OFINNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN ELECTRICAL,
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V. ADVANTAGES
machine for PCB drawing and drilling” International
 For drawing blueprints on paper surface.
Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
 Creating complex designs.
(IRJET), Volume: 03; Issue: 02; Page No. 1106-1110;
 Engraving complex designs on metal or wooden surfaces
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