Sharpie Plotting and PCB etching by MakinThings

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

These files allow you to turn your 3D printer into a plotter that uses regular sharpies or double-sided sharpies (for the extra-fine end). It can be used to draw anything of course, but it was designed with PCB etching in mind.
The bracket is currently meant to attach to a Printrbot Simple Metal, but all files are included as STL and SKP (sketchup). The device is modular, so modifications to mount to your printer are minimal.
There are different size springs for different size pens. Normally the longest one is for regular sharpies and the medium one for the double ended sharpies. However, through variance between prints, sometimes you may want to go a size down to make sure it's not too tight, that spring should be easy to squish.
The holder's height is adjustable, and all you need are an elastic and a 1cm M3 + nut or 1/2 inch 4-40 screw + nut
Fore a step by step guide to the basic plotting, and to make sure that the pen hops between segments, check out my instructables here https://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-Your-3D-Printer-Into-a-Plotter/
For more on the PBC etching or drawing on thicker substrates check out this second instructables https://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printer-PCB-Etching/