Writing Postcards with a 3D Printer
2 days ago
- #3D Printer Pen Plotter
- #G-code Streaming
- #DIY Automation
- Author was inspired by Amy Goodchild's digitized handwriting project to create a pen plotter using a 3D printer.
- Designed and printed a three-part PLA adapter to mount a ballpoint pen on the printer's extruder, including a spring for pressure.
- Initial manual test confirmed the pen could write cleanly on paper.
- Used Inkscape with Hershey Text extension to create single-stroke SVG paths and svg2gcode to convert to G-code.
- First automated test failed due to printer's mandatory Z-axis homing, which risked driving the pen into the bed.
- Developed a custom tool to stream G-code line by line via Moonraker's WebSocket API, bypassing the homing issue.
- Successful test involved tracing in air first, then adjusting Z to write on paper.
- Documented a step-by-step routine for setting up writing projects, including manual positioning and using magnets.
- Project enables drawing SVGs and sending postcards, found to be relaxing and practical.