Sand Plotter Test #2

Test number two of the sand plotter, which now features smoother motion, limit switches, and an insatiable thirst for human blood. Well, two of those, anyway.

The jerkiness was eliminated by putting a very thin layer of foam under the sand. This also cut down on the noise substantially.

With the limit switches, I no longer need to reset the table manually each time I start it, since it can find a stable zero position on its own.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[TheWockawockawocka]

Can i buy one of these?

[Nick Johnson]

No, but I'll be posting plans and instructions so you can build one.

[SirDrinksAlot69]

Submit this to HackADay. It's like an etch-a-sketch mixed with a sand garden. I LIKE IT.

Perhaps add a function to let you control it with two knobs (possibly ganked from an etch-a-sketch) would be a worth while endeavor as well? Rotary Encoders are pretty easy to implement on an arduino.

[Nick Johnson]

Thanks. I plan to submit it to HaD as soon as I've given it a proper write-up and uploaded the source and designs.

Control by hand would be cool; bear in mind that communication with the Arduino has to be over bluetooth, since wires would get snared up. :)

[Nick Johnson]

Yes. I'm currently in the process of converting them to Alibre so they're parametric and no so fiddly to adjust for different material thicknesses etc. Once I've done that I'll be posting the models and DXFs, along with code for the Arduino and assembly instructions.

[jerzmacow]

Next step. sand casting!

/)?

[Nick Johnson]

Via a slipring in the middle of the rotor. You can get them from adafruit.

[BlackandChrome]

Very Impressive, I might have to look into up sizing this into a 3'x5' center coffee table using guide wires like a whiteboard plotter. Yours is very clean, congrats!