PCB Designing using Smart Axibot

Siddhant Kumar,Sahil Gharat,Anushka Panwal

Third Year Electronics Department, Sardar Patel Institute of Technology​.

siddhant.kumar@spit.ac.in

sahil.gharat@spit.ac.in

anushka.panwal@spit.ac.in

Andheri - 400058

Mumbai

Abstract: In PCB designing and other jobs where the accuracy of
the design is the most important thing i.e the lines must not cross
each other . So to increase the accuracy of the design there's a need
of a multi purpose embedded system based bot .This would thus
prevent any human intervention. Here the bot should be cost
effective as well as accurate enough to do the job.
user friendly
Such a system found very useful in the sectors such as educational
institutions and industries ranging from small to large, Smart AxiBot
is built targeting the cost effectiveness agenda for beginners and
hobbyist, this system mainly reduces the human intervention which
makes it highly efficient, precise and accurate system.

Keywords​—Inkscape, Ardiuno IDE, GRBL,CNC shield

I​NTRODUCTION
II. STATE OF ART
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) form the backbone of all major
electronics. ​The PCB connects all of the other components inside, so
you can use your electronic device for what it is intended to
do.Although they are small, the manufacturing process of a PCB is
quite extensive. Whether you are making one yourself or going
through a ​PCB manufacturer​, multiple steps are crucial to the
development of the board.
The existing system requires the need of a software ​Altium Designer,
OrCAD, Pads, KiCad, Eagle ​to design the PCB depending on the
application. After which the design is printed on Glossy paper . This
paper is placed on the PCB and the design is transferred on the
copper plate using an iron.The process takes about 80 mins for
transferring the design on the copper plate.
Thus to reduce the time gap and eliminate the manual intervention
we have designed a bot which is capable of plotting the design at a
high speed and accuracy.
The Axibot has two axes (X and Y) control and a third axis which
can be used as a special mechanism to raise and lower the pen.
The X and Y axis mainly consists of stepper motors.
The software used for programming the Arduino board are namely
GRBL firmware, Arduino IDE and Inkscape.
The correct and efficient arrangement and proper use of the
programs along with the circuit makes up an efficient Smart Axibot. Fig0. General block diagram of the implemented PCB designer bot
This is not available as a product in the indian market.
Similar product is available in foreign market at a price starting
price of 18,000 by EleksMaker.
Why is our project different from them? A Block Diagram explanation of Smart Axibot
cost effective
a) The very first step comprises of loading the code in the Arduino
board, this code segregates the signals going separately to each
component
. b) The Arduino is powered with a 12v dc power supply and the
stepper motor drivers along with stepper motors are powered by 24v
power supply
c) Stepper motor used comprises of two phases which are connected
to the phase connectors of DM320c motor driver, this controls the
phase electricity winding supplied to the motors.
d) The movement of both x and y axis is henceforth controlled using
the motor directions.
e) The motor is operated depending on the g-code file uploaded
using following pins mentioned in the table.
fig B Connection of CNC shield with motors
fig C Output on the PCB by the axibot
Output:
chine is obtained at the base of the Smart
AxiBot i.e. on any surface. When the machine is
operating in DrawBot Mode the write head is
touched at the flat After a chain of processes the
final output of this masurface for e.g. paper &
output is obtained respectively.
Mechanical Assembly (XY axis):
The X and Y axis comprises of Stepper
motors, stepper drivers and sliding assembly.
The x-y axis is designed which is four
hardened rods for smooth sliding action, both
the axis are held together with a four-way
sliding assembly through which the timing
belt is routed and fixed at one end. A stepper
motor or step motor or stepping motor is a
brushless DC electric motor.
divides a full rotation into a number of equal
steps. This high-torque hybrid stepping
motor has a 1.8° step angle (200 steps/
revolution). Each phase draws 1 A at 7.4 V,
allowing for a holding torque of 9 kg-cm (125
oz.-in).
The Z-axis:
Z axis of the system comprises of the pen
assembly or laser assembly which has an easy
detachable mechanism. The movement of the
pen assembly i.e. actuating the write head is
driven by servo motor. The function of the
servo is to receive a control signal that
represents a desired output position of the
servo shaft and apply power to its DC motor
until its shaft turns to that position. The
DrawBot applications will be carried out using
the pen assembly and Laserbot applications
via a 2500mv laser module with custom
brackets designed for it which will be held on
the z-axis and which is driven by the Arduino
pwm signals which controls the overall
 working of the laser which includes laser
power, speed and also the delay.
Fig D Pen assembly on Autocad
Pen Assembly construction
Here the y axis front end is custom build for
Smart Axibot’s application. The DrawBot
applications will be carried out using the pen
assembly which is completely built using
acrylic and rods and also has a custom fit for
Servo Motor.
C​ONCLUSIONS
Smart Axibot is mixture of multi-purpose
robot which could possibly do unique
activities such as writing, drawing, sketching,
laser engraving, marking, (soft material
cutting) and much more. The first and the
most important point is the cost investment,
the project we are looking forward to build
has a major cost reduction than similar
existing machines, similarly following are
some of the advantages of Smart Axibot.
By using several materials such as wood,
acrylic and plastic/fibers the bulkiness of the
project is much reduced.
We are using all the software’s and boards
which are open source in nature and easily available
whereas the circuitry used in similar machines are
either difficult to build and also much costly with
complex mechanisms.
Also the pen and laser assembly both could be easily
attached and detached.
We are determined to provide a lot of features at such
minimized cost and all the open source boards used.
All you need is a simple internet connection to
download the free software.
​ A​CKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to thank our project guide Dr. Rajendra
Sutar for his enormous co-operation and guidance. We have no
words to express our gratitude for a person who wholeheartedly
supported the project and gave freely of his valuable time while
making this project. All the inputs given by him have found a place
in the project. The technical guidance provided by him was more
than useful and made the project successful. He has always been a
source of inspiration for us. It was a memorable experience learning
under such a highly innovative, enthusiastic and hardworking
professor.
We are also thankful to all the staff members of the
Electronics department who have provided us with various facilities
and guided us to develop a very good project idea.Finally, we would
also like to thank teachers of our college and friends who guided and
helped us while working on the project.
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