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You can turn two salvaged DVD-drive carriages into a compact pen plotter: mount them at right angles for X and Y movement, add a pen that lifts between strokes, and control the motors with an Arduino-compatible setup. The result is for drawing small text and graphics on paper—not a general-purpose CNC machine, mill, or dependable engraver.
How the plotter works
A DVD or CD writer may contain a guided carriage driven by a motor and lead screw. One carriage moves the pen along one axis; a second, mounted perpendicular to it, moves the paper or the pen assembly along the other. A small servo or another actuator raises the pen for travel moves and lowers it to draw.
Drive mechanisms vary by model. Check that each salvaged assembly has a usable slide and identify its motor leads before choosing the electronics. Do not assume that the wiring, travel distance, or mounting geometry from one drive applies to another.
Choose one electronics design
Published builds use different motor and driver arrangements. These are alternatives, not interchangeable wiring recipes. Identify the salvaged motor type, then follow one complete circuit and software design that supports it.
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- Applicable system(s):XP/win7/win8/win10 ，Mac is not compatible. Supported Software: Bachin Draw, Please contact seller for support with software installation if necessary. NOTE: It is a plotter, not a printer.
- Imitation human writing: A drawing robot that can move a pen or other instrument to draw/write digital artworks on the flat surface like a human, no matter Chinese or English, etc.Support Over 100 Fonts, You Can Customize Your Fonts Too. You have to make fonts in the first place.
- Colorful layer painting: It can draw the pictures with many different colors. Good for making the posters.
- Open source: If you want to design your own XYZ plotter, the interface documentation can be provided (the detailed info., as below in the description) .Better for Repeat Jobs or Your Small Business
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| Approach | Documented components | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| L293D setup | Arduino Uno Rev3, L293D dual H-bridge motor driver, and mini servo in the Arduino Project Hub parts list; an alternative build also uses an Arduino, L293D driver, and servo. Arduino Project Hub; ndongmo GitHub repository. | Confirm the salvaged motors and wiring match the chosen circuit; use the external motor supply specified by that design. |
| EasyDriver setup | An alternate documented project uses an Arduino Uno and three EasyDriver modules. duino4projects. | Follow that project’s driver wiring, firmware, and power arrangement. Its use of three drives does not mean every two-axis build needs a third drive. |
Other parts include a rigid frame, fasteners, jumper wires, a separate power supply appropriate to the selected circuit, paper, and a pen. A ballpoint or gel pen is suitable if it can make a consistent line without binding in its holder.
Build the frame and axes
- Inspect the drives. Open two optical drives and examine their carriage assemblies. Keep mechanisms with a guided slide and working motor. Identify the motor leads before connecting anything; disassembly details differ by model. Atmel Bits & Pieces.
- Make a rigid base. Wood, acrylic, or other suitable material can work. Fasten the two slides perpendicular to each other, with a paper bed and pen holder arranged so the carriage can reach the intended drawing area.
- Fit the pen lift. Leave clearance for the pen to move up and down. One documented build uses a rubber band to press a ballpoint pen toward the paper; adjust pressure so the pen draws reliably but can still move freely. Hackaday.
- Wire to the selected design. Connect the motors, controller, driver, and pen actuator according to that design. Use its specified motor supply; do not assume a supply arrangement from one project is safe or suitable for another.
Calibrate travel before drawing
Salvaged mechanisms do not have a universal steps-per-millimeter value. The Arduino Project Hub example instructs builders to command 100 steps, measure the resulting movement, and calculate the axis scale. Treat code example limits as starting points, not guaranteed travel dimensions for every drive. Arduino Project Hub calibration instructions.
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- The plotter is your all-in-one creative sidekick: From getting those ideas out in writing a thank-you letter/holidy card or drawing a complex picture with multiple colors, it's perfect for it all. Hundreds of fonts are provided or you can imitate your own fonts (You need create your own custom fonts, we can provide step-by-step guidance to help you.)
- No assembly needed, start to use after several minutes set-up: The plotter is designed for instant creativity. Unbox, set up, power on, and start writing or drawing. Perfect for hassle-free, plug-and-play convenience!
- User-friendly software provided: compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, and Linux OS. Perfect for handwriting imitation to write letter, cards or invitation letter, draw and learn programming.
- Extensive file format supported, including JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, SVG, etc.
- High-Speed Performance: Writes up to 15,000mm per minute, delivering fast and efficient results for all your projects. And you adjust the speed according to your needs.
- Secure the mechanism and mark a reference position for one axis.
- Command 100 steps using the selected firmware and measure the carriage movement in millimeters.
- Calculate steps per millimeter as 100 ÷ measured millimeters. Enter that value in the firmware or configuration used by the build.
- Repeat for the other axis. Check that motion is smooth and that the pen remains inside the reachable area before attempting a drawing.
Prepare and send a drawing
Published workflows use Inkscape as an image source, convert the drawing to G-code, and send the file from a computer to the controller. The exact conversion and sender depend on the chosen firmware. Some builds also require editing pen-up and pen-down commands so they match the installed servo or actuator. Atmel Bits & Pieces; ndongmo GitHub repository.
- Check that the G-code sender and firmware agree on the commands and coordinate units.
- Test pen-up and pen-down behavior separately before running a full drawing.
- Start with a small design that fits the measured travel of both carriages.
What to expect from a DVD-drive plotter
These builds can draw text and graphics on paper and offer a practical way to learn about axes, motor control, G-code, and calibration. Their short slides constrain the drawing area. Frame flex and mechanical backlash can also affect line placement, so a compact plotter should not be treated as a precision machine.
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- 【Effortless Bulk Writing with Email Merge and Hershey Fonts Support】All UUNA TEK iDraw pen plotter supports Email Merge for bulk writing of letters, envelopes, cards, and invitations. Utilize Hershey Fonts for human-like handwriting.
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- 【Precision Beyond Measure】Achieve impeccable mechanical precision with a minimum resolution of 0.01mm on both the Y and X axes, ensuring every stroke is nothing short of perfection.
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An Atmel project overview reports that attempts to use a rotary cutting tool for engraving were unsuccessful. Keep the pen plotter to drawing; the documented evidence does not support presenting this design as a mill or reliable engraver. Atmel Bits & Pieces.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- The kit XY axis travel of this kit is 297×210mm, the same size as A4 paper. It is equipped with 42 step motor and MG90 servo.The recommended speed is 5000mm/minute.
- This kit uses the open source Arduino system, and can be used to write and draw on paper materials with related software. This kit requires the customer to assemble the test itself.
- This kit Support laser head expansion, provide firmware and source code.
- This kit has burned grbl0.9 version of writing and drawing firmware. Please burn the laser firmware yourself
- This kit is about 3kg, and the package size is 56 × 25 × 8cm
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