Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- axidraw:axidraw [2019/06/05 05:00] – formlab
+++ axidraw:axidraw [2021/09/17 07:32] – [Quick Setup] formlab
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Axidraw ======
 {{:axidraw:axidraw-v3-a3-personal-writing--drawing-robot.jpg?nolink&200|}}
-A3 pen plotter
+A3 pen plotter. There are 3 available.
+==== Quick Setup ====
+Read the [[https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/AxiDraw_User_Guide|manual]] first (this is a summary)
+  - Move the AxiDraw to its Home Corner.
+  - Plug in power and USB cables.
+  - Add the pen to the plotter.
+  - Position your paper with its upper-left corner below the pen tip.
+  - In Inkscape
+    - Select the drawing or text and select ''Path > Object to path''.
+    - ''Extensions > AxiDraw Control''. Go to tab ''setup''. Click the ''Toggle pen between UP, DOWN'' option. Click apply to toggle the pen down and back up to check the correct vertical movement.
+      - Adjust the pen's height
+      - Try to keep the range of movement to a minimum. This will draw faster and is better for the servo motor.
+    - ''Extensions > AxiDraw Control''. Go to tab ''Plot'' and click Apply to start plotting.
+      - Each visible layer will print.
+{{:axidraw:axidraw-left-turn.jpg|}}\\
+Vertical documents in Inkscape will be rotated left 90° on the Axidraw.
+For single line fonts, check Inkscape ''Extensions > text > Hershey text''
+Download the manual [[https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/AxiDraw_User_Guide|here]]
+==== Maintenance ====
+=== Tightening the V-slot wheels ===
+{{:axidraw:axidraw_wobble.jpg|}}\\
+When the Axidraw arm feels wobbly, tighten the eccentric nuts on the carriage to firm up the motion.
+== Locations of the eccentric nuts ==
+{{:axidraw:axidraw_nut_x.jpg|}}\\
+The big wheels on the X-axis can be tightened here. Use a number 10 wrench. Only 2 big wheels need tightening.
+{{:axidraw:axidraw_nut_y.jpg|}}\\
+The smaller wheels on the Y-axis can be tightened here. Use a number 8 wrench. Only 2 small wheels need tightening.
+== Procedure ==
+  * No need to loosen any bolts first.
+  * Turn the eccentric nut one way or another. The direction doesn't matter. One way will be tighter, the other will be looser.
+  * Work in small increments and feel with 1 finger if one of of the V-slot wheels can be rotated so it's slipping. If the wheels rotates, tighten the eccentric nut a little more and test again. When it's snug against the aluminum profile and doesn't slip anymore, it's good to go.
+  * Wait 15 minutes and move the axes back and forth carefully. Feel for little bumps. If the tension was set too high, the wheels could be squished a little, resulting in bumps. If so, release some tension, wait another 15 minutes and feel for bumps again.
+Based on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEdU8ZtI6U|this video]], as there's no info about this in the Axidraw manual.