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I switch pens halfway through my drawing. However this means that the second pens position is slightly different from the first pens position. Usually by a couple mm. I move the paper over slightly to compensate.
Is there a better way for me to do this instead of moving the paper around each time I switch pens? Like a track I can attach my clipboard to and move it over by a few mm using a pc?
We have some detailed suggestions for minimizing the difference between the positions of different pen tips, in our documentation here:
https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Multicolor_Plot_Tips#Troubleshooting_pen_alignment
You should be able to get consistent alignment by using procedures like these. (It may not be exactly the same position — for example if you’re using different pen types, but the differences should be consistent.)
If you know how much to shift, one thing that you can do is to use the “walk” commands in the Manual tab of AxiDraw Control. Movements made there can be used to compensate for changes in pen position. You can also potentially shift the graphics on one or more layers of your drawing.
You asked: “Is there a better way for me to do this instead of moving the paper around each time I switch pens?” The answer is yes: moving the pen or the drawing is a better method. We would definitely recommend _not_ moving the paper.
The manual xy adjust in the control panel is too much with my plotter.
I’m not sure that I understand. You said that you were moving by several mm. The manual moves allow you to adjust by as little as 0.001 inch (0.254 mm). That should give you adequate resolution.
Is there no solution for moving the paper via the computer?
The AxiDraw does not have motors to move the paper. So… no? However (again) you can move the drawing or your pen, or the initial starting point.
Are you guys using a clipboard?
That’s one of the common solutions for paper holding.
Anyone thought of using little weights to hold the paper down?
Yes, that is another common method.
I just came around the problem with different pen barrel sizes.
As the best possible solution i suggest a pen holder that centers the pen. The original Axidraw pen holders do not center the pen, so every different pen will have a different offset. If you plan, like me, using half a dozen different pen sizes in a project, moving the paper wont work.That’s a possible part of a solution. It is not, on its own, enough to solve the problem entirely.
I have been working on this issue for a couple of years now. I’d love to work with someone to 3D design an adapter. There are three possible solutions.
1. The Axidraw penholder uses a chuck-like device that allows a wide variety of pens and pencils to pass through and be tightened just like a drill bit would be.
This may cause the pen to be very heavy. The design would have to be streamlined. It would allow for no modification to the Axidraw.
2. Several adapters, that currently exist on Amazon, standardize the diameter of pens and pencils. It has one standard barrel. Imagine turning every pen, pencil, or marker into a 1-inch barrel. The writing device is secured by evenly pinching it at the base.
The issue with this solution is you may need to 3D print an adapter for every pen you have. The diameter of the pen, or pencil needs to be consistent. Some pens aren’t symmetrical. They can taper or are not cylindrical. I think it is the Inkjoy that has a triangular shape. In some cases, solution two would work out. In other cases, the pen may not be able to center inside the adapter. This solution also allows for no modifications to the Axidraw.
Some adapters don’t evenly distribute the pressure to secure the pen inside the adapter. I hypothesize it would take at least two slits at the base to allow even pressure. There are some with one slit and that would just compound the issue.
3. Use a clamp similar to what is used in the Cricut Maker. It allows the pen to be secured by tightening it in two opposite directions when it clamps.
This may be the best solution, but it requires an adapter that is secured to the Axidraw. It would also have limitations. You might not be able to use an acrylic paint pen and a Bic. So, it may require incorporating solution two in some cases.
4. I have seen this somewhere, but a device that allows you to tighten the pen or pencil in two directions. So, as you tighten the screw, the pen moves back as much as it does forward. This would require a slight modification to the Axidraw.
5. The way I solve this today is by placing a 3D-printed square that has a cone-shaped depression that comes to a point in the center. I know that the center is at coordinate (1, 1). I move the pen until it rests in the cone. Then I move the pen back to home (0, 0).
This requires a bit of judgment and best guesses, but I have used 30 different pens in one plot to perfection. Also ruined a few, not getting it right, or forgetting to move back to (0, 0), and being off registration by 1 inch.
6. I have seen some cool tech that the machine had some sort of recognition and based on lines could get its barrings. This would probably add a lot of costs for an issue that could be solved more cheaply. But if the solution were to add precision, some people may be willing to incur the cost. I believe the Cricut uses similar tech for the print and cut option.
It should be noted that some solutions only work on pens that drop straight down. Angling the pen would be possible, but requires a few extra steps.
Would love to see something come from this. It would be a wonderful addition.
I have been working on this issue for a couple of years now. I’d love to work with someone to 3D design an adapter. There are three possible solutions.
1. The Axidraw penholder uses a chuck-like device that allows a wide variety of pens and pencils to pass through and be tightened just like a drill bit would be.
This may cause the pen to be very heavy. The design would have to be streamlined. It would allow for no modification to the Axidraw.
2. Several adapters, that currently exist on Amazon, standardize the diameter of pens and pencils. It has one standard barrel. Imagine turning every pen, pencil, or marker into a 1-inch barrel. The writing device is secured by evenly pinching it at the base.
The issue with this solution is you may need to 3D print an adapter for every pen you have. The diameter of the pen, or pencil needs to be consistent. Some pens aren’t symmetrical. They can taper or are not cylindrical. I think it is the Inkjoy that has a triangular shape. In some cases, solution two would work out. In other cases, the pen may not be able to center inside the adapter. This solution also allows for no modifications to the Axidraw.
Some adapters don’t evenly distribute the pressure to secure the pen inside the adapter. I hypothesize it would take at least two slits at the base to allow even pressure. There are some with one slit and that would just compound the issue.
3. Use a clamp similar to what is used in the Cricut Maker. It allows the pen to be secured by tightening it in two opposite directions when it clamps.
This may be the best solution, but it requires an adapter that is secured to the Axidraw. It would also have limitations. You might not be able to use an acrylic paint pen and a Bic. So, it may require incorporating solution two in some cases.
4. I have seen this somewhere, but a device that allows you to tighten the pen or pencil in two directions. So, as you tighten the screw, the pen moves back as much as it does forward. This would require a slight modification to the Axidraw.
5. The way I solve this today is by placing a 3D-printed square that has a cone-shaped depression that comes to a point in the center. I know that the center is at coordinate (1, 1). I move the pen until it rests in the cone. Then I move the pen back to home (0, 0).
This requires a bit of judgment and best guesses, but I have used 30 different pens in one plot to perfection. Also ruined a few, not getting it right, or forgetting to move back to (0, 0), and being off registration by 1 inch.
6. I have seen some cool tech that the machine had some sort of recognition and based on lines could get its barrings. This would probably add a lot of costs for an issue that could be solved more cheaply. But if the solution were to add precision, some people may be willing to incur the cost. I believe the Cricut uses similar tech for the print and cut option.
It should be noted that some solutions only work on pens that drop straight down. Angling the pen would be possible, but requires a few extra steps.
Would love to see something come from this. It would be a wonderful addition.
A collet chuck?
very nice post
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