[CliffStoll]

Do it in software!

Write a short script using AXICLI to move your new pen to, say, location 1 cm in X and 1 cm in Y.

Install pen 1. Use a script to make a single dot there.

Install pen 2. Use script to make a single dot

Measure the distance between the 2 dots, in mm
(say you see it as +1.7mm in X, -2.3mm Y)

Now add a bias of -1.7mm X and +2.3mm Y to all Pen-2 AXICLI or Axidraw commands.

I built a home-brew pen-changer that switches amongst 4 sharpies. Different sharpies may have different diameters, and my Axidraw pen-holders vary slightly, so when I need tight registration, I’ll make fine-position adjustments using Axicli commands

Cheers, -Cliff.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by CliffStoll.

[CliffStoll]

Yes – Windell’s spot on!

Look on Amazon for “Universal Screen Metal Touch Stylus Pen” and aim the sponge side downwards towards the phone’s screen.

I did this two years ago — ran a ground wire from the pen’s pocket clip over to the Axidraw chassis and was able to get it to draw on an iPad. It worked, although the project was kinda silly…

[CliffStoll]

I’m running the Coreless Servo on the Axidraw SE/A3 — sometimes I tie a couple pennies on the pen when I need more pressure for a ballpoint pen.

Hmmm – Should I measure the servo current draw?

[CliffStoll]

Ignore my post – Just realized that these USB dongles will only work on a host, not on a device. (The mac is a host; the axidraw is a device). For USB, hosts can’t connect to hosts; devices can’t connect to devices.

[CliffStoll]

Yep, you caught me again! How’d I make that goof?

Thanks from your all-too-error-prone axidraw addict!

• This reply was modified 2 years ago by CliffStoll.

[CliffStoll]

Related question:

In /manual/ mode, is there any way to speed up the motion?

ad.options.mode = “manual”
ad.options.speed_penup = 110 # nope, not for manual mode`
ad.options.speed_penpendown = 110 # nope, not for manual mode`

THANX!

[CliffStoll]

Found the problem — you’re right.

I had reset the system by just removing 9V power from the Axidraw. But I left the machine connected to the USB cable. *sigh*

So:
1) Before running the program, I pull the 9 volt power supply
2) Remove the USB connection.
3) Plug in both of these connectors.
4) Now run the program. It works!

[CliffStoll]

How do I check the EBB firmware?

Inkscape options are:
This is AxiDraw Control version 3.7.0.
Your AxiDraw Control software is up to date.

Your AxiDraw has firmware version 2.8.1.
Your firmware is up to date; no updates are available.

Additional system information:
3.10.4 (main, Apr 10 2022, 21:38:20) [Clang 13.0.0 (clang-1300.0.29.30)]
Voltage readout: 7 (~ 0.51 V).
Current setpoint: 542 (~ 0.99 A).

[CliffStoll]

Fixed.

I was connecting from Mac Studio USB-C to Axidraw via an “active USB” cable. Replaced cable with ordinary USB cable. Update worked properly.

Cheers,
-Cliff

[CliffStoll]

Guess I should’a mentioned: the Studio Mac M1 is running MacOS 12.4, Monterey.

The Inkscape software has always been speedy, but on the M1 it really zips along.

[CliffStoll]

As usual, I’m confused.

I’m following instructions on
https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Axidraw_Software_Installation

which downloads
AxiDraw_Install_321.app
That’s what I’ve installed.

AxiDraw Command Line Interface 3.1.0
AxiDraw Software 3.1.0

Inkscape 1.1.2 (b8e25be8, 2022-02-05)

[CliffStoll]

That did the trick, Windell — the report_position_script.py works properly.

Many thanks, indeed!
-Cliff

[CliffStoll]

As usual, I’m confused.

using instructions at wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Axidraw_Software_Installation

I downloaded and installed AxiDraw_Install_321.app
and also
Update EBB.app
and also
Inkscape-1.1.2.dmg
from Inkscape/Axidraw Control/Options/Config/apply
I see this:
This is AxiDraw Control version 3.2.1.
Your AxiDraw Control software is up to date.

Your AxiDraw has firmware version 2.8.0.
Your firmware is up to date; no updates are available.

Additional system information:
3.8.5 (default, Sep 8 2020, 23:22:40)
[Clang 11.0.0 (clang-1100.0.33.17)]

But from my bash cli script,
axicli –version
I see:
AxiDraw Command Line Interface 3.1.0
AxiDraw Software 3.1.0

What should I be doing?

[CliffStoll]

Just working on this and find that script

report_pos_inch.py

does, indeed, return the x,y position of the pen.

However, when the script is run a second time (without any intervening motion), it returns 0,0

Shouldn’t it return the same position?

Thanx!
-Cliff

[CliffStoll]

*** MANY THANKS WINDELL ***

Just got v 3.2.0 of Axidraw s/w and th latest Inkscape. Time to play!

Cheers,
-Cliff

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