How to make homework machine for students

homework machine is a Computerized Numerical Control(CNC) machine which can run through G-code.
G-code is a programming language for CNC that instructs machines where and how to move.
The G-code is based on image file, you can put a image file in Inkscape software and convert it to CNC language.
If you are using a complicate image file then you must draw an outline with the image and put it to the Inkscape.
The machine also writes the latter but only in g-code, you have to convert the latter into G-code.

Required Materials

Arduino Nano 328p
L293D IC
Servo Motor 9g

2X DVD Drive

Male & Female headers

Power supply Connector

Wire

Pen etc.

PROCEDURE

STEP1

Making

First of all you need two Standard PC OLD DVD DRIVE, The DVD drive must has 4 wire stepper motor(you can’t do this with normal DVD drive which has two wire DC motor)

Now Unscrew the DVD drive and pick out the lens slider, slider rod and Stepper motor.

Now you need to check the stepper motor is working or not, it’s an easy method , mainly stepper motor has two coils and one coil has two ends so respectively two wire has four ends so the upper side of stepper motor has 4 connection point and it connects to the two coils internally. Now you have to point out your A1B1A2B2 connections by following this image

Now you need to take your multi-meter in continuity point and check 4 wire point if stepper motor coil is in good condition then the multi-meter will buzzing two wires.

Now you have to cut the lens mount for make the slider more compact for this project, you can super glue the both cutting pars and put slider rods in the hole.

Now you cut the 2mm ACP(Aluminum Composite panel) sheet or 3mm acrylic sheet by follow the Stepper motor and Slider rod size.

You have to attach the stepper motor on the ACP sheet and screw or glue it.

Now you glue the DIY compact slider on this frame then your X-Axis Slider is ready, Now you have to do this same procedure for Y-Axis with second DVD drive.

When both axis is ready you can attach the Y-axis over the X-axis and align the axis 90 degree.

STEP2

Making Pen Mechanism

It’s most revolutionary mechanism ever,
Required Materials-
Normal DVD drive ROD
One Lens Mount
One Pen
Copper Wire

Take the 3mm Rod and spiral the copper wire to make it like a spring or you can use a pen spring, now insert the rod in the cutting Lens mount and Screw the cutting pen Cap and add a enlightenment part (I made it through ACP sheet) because it hold the pen in one position, Now you can attach the servo motor

Now you have to glue the pen mechanism to the Y-axis

STEP3

Making Circuit

Now you Make the circuit by Following the Circuit Diagram

Warning– You have to the circuit by following the circuit diagram wiring connection using your multi-meter in continuity Mode.

Now attach you circuit on the machine and make connections(X-axis,Y-axis,Servo)

STEP4

Programming

Connect your Arduino to your computer and Open Arduino IDE,

First You have to choose the Board type Arduino Nano
Select communication port,Select Processor-> Atmega328P and Upload this Arduino nano

*If you are facing any issue with com_port or problem uploading to board

SOLUTIONS –
*You must have Windows10 for better driver Support(com_port issue) or update your USB driver through Device Manager
*Choose processor type Atmega328p t0 Atmega328p old boot-loader
*Remove your Arduino from the circuit and upload the code (L293D driver make create issue during uploading the code so remove the Arduino and upload)

#include <Servo.h>
#include <Stepper.h>

#define LINE_BUFFER_LENGTH 512

const int penZUp = 80;
const int penZDown = 40;

const int penServoPin = 6;

const int stepsPerRevolution = 20; 

Servo penServo;  

Stepper myStepperY(stepsPerRevolution, 2,3,4,5);            
Stepper myStepperX(stepsPerRevolution, 8,9,10,11);  

struct point { 
  float x; 
  float y; 
  float z; 
};

struct point actuatorPos;

float StepInc = 1;
int StepDelay = 0;
int LineDelay = 50;
int penDelay = 50;

float StepsPerMillimeterX = 6.0;
float StepsPerMillimeterY = 6.0;

float Xmin = 0;
float Xmax = 40;
float Ymin = 0;
float Ymax = 40;
float Zmin = 0;
float Zmax = 1;

float Xpos = Xmin;
float Ypos = Ymin;
float Zpos = Zmax; 

boolean verbose = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin( 9600 );
  
  penServo.attach(penServoPin);
  penServo.write(penZUp);
  delay(200);

  myStepperX.setSpeed(250);
  myStepperY.setSpeed(250);  

  Serial.println("Mini CNC Plotter alive and kicking!");
  Serial.print("X range is from "); 
  Serial.print(Xmin); 
  Serial.print(" to "); 
  Serial.print(Xmax); 
  Serial.println(" mm."); 
  Serial.print("Y range is from "); 
  Serial.print(Ymin); 
  Serial.print(" to "); 
  Serial.print(Ymax); 
  Serial.println(" mm."); 
}

void loop() 
{
  delay(200);
  char line[ LINE_BUFFER_LENGTH ];
  char c;
  int lineIndex;
  bool lineIsComment, lineSemiColon;

  lineIndex = 0;
  lineSemiColon = false;
  lineIsComment = false;

  while (1) {

    while ( Serial.available()>0 ) {
      c = Serial.read();
      if (( c == '\n') || (c == '\r') ) {             
        if ( lineIndex > 0 ) {                        
          line[ lineIndex ] = '\0';                   
          if (verbose) { 
            Serial.print( "Received : "); 
            Serial.println( line ); 
          }
          processIncomingLine( line, lineIndex );
          lineIndex = 0;
        } 
        else { 
          
        }
        lineIsComment = false;
        lineSemiColon = false;
        Serial.println("ok");    
      } 
      else {
        if ( (lineIsComment) || (lineSemiColon) ) {   // Throw away all comment characters
          if ( c == ')' )  lineIsComment = false;     // End of comment. Resume line.
        } 
        else {
          if ( c <= ' ' ) {                           // Throw away whitepace and control characters
          } 
          else if ( c == '/' ) {                    // Block delete not supported. Ignore character.
          } 
          else if ( c == '(' ) {                    // Enable comments flag and ignore all characters until ')' or EOL.
            lineIsComment = true;
          } 
          else if ( c == ';' ) {
            lineSemiColon = true;
          } 
          else if ( lineIndex >= LINE_BUFFER_LENGTH-1 ) {
            Serial.println( "ERROR - lineBuffer overflow" );
            lineIsComment = false;
            lineSemiColon = false;
          } 
          else if ( c >= 'a' && c <= 'z' ) {        // Upcase lowercase
            line[ lineIndex++ ] = c-'a'+'A';
          } 
          else {
            line[ lineIndex++ ] = c;
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

void processIncomingLine( char* line, int charNB ) {
  int currentIndex = 0;
  char buffer[ 64 ];                                 // Hope that 64 is enough for 1 parameter
  struct point newPos;

  newPos.x = 0.0;
  newPos.y = 0.0;

  //  Needs to interpret 
  //  G1 for moving
  //  G4 P300 (wait 150ms)
  //  G1 X60 Y30
  //  G1 X30 Y50
  //  M300 S30 (pen down)
  //  M300 S50 (pen up)
  //  Discard anything with a (
  //  Discard any other command!

  while( currentIndex < charNB ) {
    switch ( line[ currentIndex++ ] ) {              // Select command, if any
    case 'U':
      penUp(); 
      break;
    case 'D':
      penDown(); 
      break;
    case 'G':
      buffer[0] = line[ currentIndex++ ];          // /!\ Dirty - Only works with 2 digit commands
      //      buffer[1] = line[ currentIndex++ ];
      //      buffer[2] = '\0';
      buffer[1] = '\0';

      switch ( atoi( buffer ) ){                   // Select G command
      case 0:                                   // G00 & G01 - Movement or fast movement. Same here
      case 1:
        // /!\ Dirty - Suppose that X is before Y
        char* indexX = strchr( line+currentIndex, 'X' );  // Get X/Y position in the string (if any)
        char* indexY = strchr( line+currentIndex, 'Y' );
        if ( indexY <= 0 ) {
          newPos.x = atof( indexX + 1); 
          newPos.y = actuatorPos.y;
        } 
        else if ( indexX <= 0 ) {
          newPos.y = atof( indexY + 1);
          newPos.x = actuatorPos.x;
        } 
        else {
          newPos.y = atof( indexY + 1);
          indexY = '\0';
          newPos.x = atof( indexX + 1);
        }
        drawLine(newPos.x, newPos.y );
        //        Serial.println("ok");
        actuatorPos.x = newPos.x;
        actuatorPos.y = newPos.y;
        break;
      }
      break;
    case 'M':
      buffer[0] = line[ currentIndex++ ];        // /!\ Dirty - Only works with 3 digit commands
      buffer[1] = line[ currentIndex++ ];
      buffer[2] = line[ currentIndex++ ];
      buffer[3] = '\0';
      switch ( atoi( buffer ) ){
      case 300:
        {
          char* indexS = strchr( line+currentIndex, 'S' );
          float Spos = atof( indexS + 1);
          //          Serial.println("ok");
          if (Spos == 30) { 
            penDown(); 
          }
          if (Spos == 50) { 
            penUp(); 
          }
          break;
        }
      case 114:                                // M114 - Repport position
        Serial.print( "Absolute position : X = " );
        Serial.print( actuatorPos.x );
        Serial.print( "  -  Y = " );
        Serial.println( actuatorPos.y );
        break;
      default:
        Serial.print( "Command not recognized : M");
        Serial.println( buffer );
      }
    }
  }



}



void drawLine(float x1, float y1) {

  if (verbose)
  {
    Serial.print("fx1, fy1: ");
    Serial.print(x1);
    Serial.print(",");
    Serial.print(y1);
    Serial.println("");
  }  

  
  if (x1 >= Xmax) { 
    x1 = Xmax; 
  }
  if (x1 <= Xmin) { 
    x1 = Xmin; 
  }
  if (y1 >= Ymax) { 
    y1 = Ymax; 
  }
  if (y1 <= Ymin) { 
    y1 = Ymin; 
  }

  if (verbose)
  {
    Serial.print("Xpos, Ypos: ");
    Serial.print(Xpos);
    Serial.print(",");
    Serial.print(Ypos);
    Serial.println("");
  }

  if (verbose)
  {
    Serial.print("x1, y1: ");
    Serial.print(x1);
    Serial.print(",");
    Serial.print(y1);
    Serial.println("");
  }

  //  Convert coordinates to steps
  x1 = (int)(x1*StepsPerMillimeterX);
  y1 = (int)(y1*StepsPerMillimeterY);
  float x0 = Xpos;
  float y0 = Ypos;

  //  Let's find out the change for the coordinates
  long dx = abs(x1-x0);
  long dy = abs(y1-y0);
  int sx = x0<x1 ? StepInc : -StepInc;
  int sy = y0<y1 ? StepInc : -StepInc;

  long i;
  long over = 0;

  if (dx > dy) {
    for (i=0; i<dx; ++i) {
      myStepperX.step(sx);
      over+=dy;
      if (over>=dx) {
        over-=dx;
        myStepperY.step(sy);
      }
      delay(StepDelay);
    }
  }
  else {
    for (i=0; i<dy; ++i) {
      myStepperY.step(sy);
      over+=dx;
      if (over>=dy) {
        over-=dy;
        myStepperX.step(sx);
      }
      delay(StepDelay);
    }    
  }

  if (verbose)
  {
    Serial.print("dx, dy:");
    Serial.print(dx);
    Serial.print(",");
    Serial.print(dy);
    Serial.println("");
  }

  if (verbose)
  {
    Serial.print("Going to (");
    Serial.print(x0);
    Serial.print(",");
    Serial.print(y0);
    Serial.println(")");
  }

  
  delay(LineDelay);
  
  Xpos = x1;
  Ypos = y1;
}


void penUp() { 
  penServo.write(penZUp); 
  delay(LineDelay); 
  Zpos=Zmax; 
  if (verbose) { 
    Serial.println("Pen up!"); 
  } 
}
void penDown() { 
  penServo.write(penZDown); 
  delay(LineDelay); 
  Zpos=Zmin; 
  if (verbose) { 
    Serial.println("Pen down."); 
  } 
}

STEP5

Run Your Machine

External power supply- you have to give 5V @ 0.5amp to the circuit board for proper work.

Open Processing and copy paste the code from here, Now Run the Code, it will popup a window for all controls

Processing Software

Copy paste the code from here

import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import processing.serial.*;

Serial port = null;

// select and modify the appropriate line for your operating system
// leave as null to use interactive port (press 'p' in the program)
String portname = null;
//String portname = Serial.list()[0]; // Mac OS X
//String portname = "/dev/ttyUSB0"; // Linux
//String portname = "COM6"; // Windows

boolean streaming = false;
float speed = 0.001;
String[] gcode;
int i = 0;

void openSerialPort()
{
  if (portname == null) return;
  if (port != null) port.stop();
  
  port = new Serial(this, portname, 9600);
  
  port.bufferUntil('\n');
}

void selectSerialPort()
{
  String result = (String) JOptionPane.showInputDialog(frame,
    "Select the serial port that corresponds to your Arduino board.",
    "Select serial port",
    JOptionPane.QUESTION_MESSAGE,
    null,
    Serial.list(),
    0);
    
  if (result != null) {
    portname = result;
    openSerialPort();
  }
}

void setup()
{
  size(600, 400);
  openSerialPort();
}

void draw()
{
  background(155);  
  fill(0);
  int y = 24, dy = 12;
  text("INSTRUCTIONS", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("p: select serial port", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("1: set speed to 0.001 inches (1 mil) per jog", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("2: set speed to 0.010 inches (10 mil) per jog", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("3: set speed to 0.100 inches (100 mil) per jog", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("arrow keys: jog in x-y plane", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("page up & page down: jog in z axis", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("$: display grbl settings", 12, y); y+= dy;
  text("h: go home", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("0: zero machine (set home to the current location)", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("g: stream a g-code file", 12, y); y += dy;
  text("x: stop streaming g-code (this is NOT immediate)", 12, y); y += dy;
  y = height - dy;
  text("current jog speed: " + speed + " inches per step", 12, y); y -= dy;
  text("current serial port: " + portname, 12, y); y -= dy;
}

void keyPressed()
{
  if (key == '1') speed = 0.001;
  if (key == '2') speed = 0.01;
  if (key == '3') speed = 0.1;
  
  if (!streaming) {
    if (keyCode == LEFT) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X-" + speed + " Y0.000 Z0.000\n");
    if (keyCode == RIGHT) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X" + speed + " Y0.000 Z0.000\n");
    if (keyCode == UP) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X0.000 Y" + speed + " Z0.000\n");
    if (keyCode == DOWN) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X0.000 Y-" + speed + " Z0.000\n");
    if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_PAGE_UP) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X0.000 Y0.000 Z" + speed + "\n");
    if (keyCode == KeyEvent.VK_PAGE_DOWN) port.write("G91\nG20\nG00 X0.000 Y0.000 Z-" + speed + "\n");
    if (key == 'h') port.write("G90\nG20\nG00 X0.000 Y0.000 Z0.000\n");
    if (key == 'v') port.write("$0=75\n$1=74\n$2=75\n");
    //if (key == 'v') port.write("$0=100\n$1=74\n$2=75\n");
    if (key == 's') port.write("$3=10\n");
    if (key == 'e') port.write("$16=1\n");
    if (key == 'd') port.write("$16=0\n");
    if (key == '0') openSerialPort();
    if (key == 'p') selectSerialPort();
    if (key == '$') port.write("$$\n");
  }
  
  if (!streaming && key == 'g') {
    gcode = null; i = 0;
    File file = null; 
    println("Loading file...");
    selectInput("Select a file to process:", "fileSelected", file);
  }
  
  if (key == 'x') streaming = false;
}

void fileSelected(File selection) {
  if (selection == null) {
    println("Window was closed or the user hit cancel.");
  } else {
    println("User selected " + selection.getAbsolutePath());
    gcode = loadStrings(selection.getAbsolutePath());
    if (gcode == null) return;
    streaming = true;
    stream();
  }
}

void stream()
{
  if (!streaming) return;
  
  while (true) {
    if (i == gcode.length) {
      streaming = false;
      return;
    }
    
    if (gcode[i].trim().length() == 0) i++;
    else break;
  }
  
  println(gcode[i]);
  port.write(gcode[i] + '\n');
  i++;
}

void serialEvent(Serial p)
{
  String s = p.readStringUntil('\n');
  println(s.trim());
  
  if (s.trim().startsWith("ok")) stream();
  if (s.trim().startsWith("error")) stream(); // XXX: really?
}

p:select serial port
1:set speed to 0.001 inches
2:set speed to 0.010 inches
3:set speed to 0.100 inches
$:display grbl settings
h:go home
0:set home to the current location
g:stream a g-code file
x:stop streaming g-code

Now type p

select com_port

Now type g to select g-code file by browsing your file and press enter

{“type”:”block”,”srcClientIds”:[“a13f14ac-ad5f-4e27-8579-4f746d539e8b”],”srcRootClientId”:””}

Congratulations you made an awesome project.

If you face any problem then comment below…..

Thank you so much for watching…..

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