Once your Pi, EasyDrivers and USB breakouts are connected either via breadboard or if you jumped right in by solder, it's time to test.



Setup and Testing

Start the Drawbot controller software on the Pi. est the easier motor to control, the servo. Click the Pen button in the middle of the controller bulls-eye and hopefully the servo arm will rotate 90°. Use this test to make sure the servo arm is oriented correctly to lift the pen off the surface. This will also let you know if you're connected to the Pi and Drawbot controller software.



Next is the stepper motor. It's easier to start with one at a time. With a stepper motor connected click a coordinate on the Drawbot controller bulls-eye. The stepper should move smoothly. If the stepper stutters make sure the wiring is correct and the pairs are matched. Test the other stepper.

With the steppers disconnected find a nice flat, smooth surface and mount the steppers making sure they are level to each other. Extend some of the fishing line from each spool and connect it to the bearing arms on the gondola. Reconnect the steppers. Use the Drawbot controller to move the gondola. When clicking the upper right on the the bulls-eye the gondola should move to the upper right, if not adjust the config file. If the gondola moves opposite of what it should turn on mirroring in the configuration file on the Pi.

Measuring

Almost there. Next is measuring. We've found a small retractable measuring tape handy, all measurements will be in millimeters.

Click the settings icon in the Drawbot controller and there will be three values that are needed, "D", "X" and "Y". See the image for an illustration of how to measure. The first value, "D" is the distance between the spools. The next values are essentially the home location of the gondola. The "X" value is the measurement from the left spool to the position of the pen in the gondola. The "Y" value is the distance from the spool down to the gondola. Input these into the settings of the Drawbot software. Setting the home in the upper left corner is recommended.

Drawing

Finally drawing!!

Once everything is measured as accurately as possible and the pen in the gondola is lifted off the surface and homed it's time to feed the Drawbot a SVG to draw. Simply drag a single path SVG onto the bulls-eye of the Drawbot software to start a drawing, I've included a calibration drawing for your robot drawing pleasure. Enjoy!