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DIY Digitizer

Nikolaj Møbius constructed a simple and affordable DIY digitizer using an arm with rotary encoders that can record points in physical space and convert them into a 2D vector drawing. The digitizer records the relative positions of points by moving the arm and saves them as a PDF. Schematics and files to build your own digitizer are provided. Current limitations include only recording points on a 2D surface and not full 3D objects, but improvements could make it a more robust tool.

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mohdshakir bahari
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41 views9 pages

DIY Digitizer

Nikolaj Møbius constructed a simple and affordable DIY digitizer using an arm with rotary encoders that can record points in physical space and convert them into a 2D vector drawing. The digitizer records the relative positions of points by moving the arm and saves them as a PDF. Schematics and files to build your own digitizer are provided. Current limitations include only recording points on a 2D surface and not full 3D objects, but improvements could make it a more robust tool.

Uploaded by

mohdshakir bahari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3/24/2018 DIY Digitizer

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> > Get started! < < (/starthere)

About (/about)

Machines (/tag/facilities)

Learn (/tag/learn)

BioFabLab (/biofablab/)

DIY Digitizer

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Nikolaj Møbius constructed a simple digitizer which can record points in a physical space and convert them into a 2D vector drawing for laser cutting and 3D
printing.

Current solutions for converting physical objects to virtual drawings are somewhat limited. Most of them use some version of 3D point cloud which you either
have to print as-is or modify as a messy blod of vector points.

When engineering mounts, precise objects and attaching objects to existing surfaces one usually only need the relationship between a few points. To solve
this Nikolaj made an arm which knows its position in a 3D space. By positioning the arm he is able to record their relative position. This is then saved as a PDF
for further processing or laser cutting. See the video:

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DIY digitizer for converting physical objects into virtual drawings.

Schematics for making your own:

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The software, schematics etc. for designing your own version can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vzl923vihrq4mbn/AABVBuYhJRMiPrHT0Bm9Ow42a?dl=0
(https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vzl923vihrq4mbn/AABVBuYhJRMiPrHT0Bm9Ow42a?dl=0)

Steps:

Get 3 rotary encoders from ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181575153048?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT) (Encoder


600P/R Incremental Rotary Encoder AB phase encoder 6mm Shaft W coupling).
3D print the STL les in CAD folder (One base and two hubs).
Lasercut the top base and the arm.
CNC cut the base plate and the rings for the base shaft (this could be lasercut as well).
Solder the encoders to an arduino shield (See the image below).
Upload the Arduino rmware from the Arduino folder (read more here www.arduino.cc).
Run the Processing app in the Processing (read more here www.processing.org). Remember to change the serial port number.
You will need the peasycam library for it to run (http://mrfeinberg.com/peasycam/ (http://mrfeinberg.com/peasycam/)).

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A timelapse of the construction can be seen here (you may have to pause to see the steps):

Timelapse of the digitizer construction

Current limitations:

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So far the system is designed to record a 2D surface and convert it into a PDF vector le. The Z axis is simply ignored in the output. Since the system actually
records in a 3D space it is possible to export a 3D object for post processing. This is mainly a matter of implementing a another export method. However, since
the arm is not able to reach around an object in a 3D space it will not be possible to record all the points neccessary to make a full 3D object (Update: In the
source les we have a version with a rotating platform now). One possible workaround would be to implement a rotating base which would enable the arm to
approach the object from all sides.Further, the software is only a usuable prototype, but could be evolved into a much more solid tool.

Designs made with it

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FabLab RUC, Roskilde University


Universitetsvej 1, Building 4.0
4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Please read this page before calling or emailing (/starthere)

Phone: +45 46742055


Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

General opening Hours

Monday: 10-16
Tuesday: 12-21
Wednesday: 10-16
Thursday: 10-16
Friday: closed (will be 10-16 when we have full sta again)

Remember to check if anything special is going on (/currentinfo/)

Join our Facebook page! (https://www.facebook.com/fablabruc/)

(https://www.google.dk/maps/place/FabLab+RUC/@55.6509723,12.1334504,16z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x46525e55098ce7cf:0x5e32fa6a8124b847!2sUniversitetsvej+1

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