Plotter-ServoControl

Collection of Arduino sketches to control a RC-servo for pen up/down motion

Use an Arduino-Nano (or similar) to generate a PWM signal for a RC-Servo. These functions should also be possible with a smaller controller (such as ATtiny44) but I was too lazy to bother with it.

PlotterServoControl_UpDown

• Sets a servo position depending on input signal to predefined position 0 or 1.
• Intended use: use the grbl spindle-, flood- or mist- on/off signal to control a servo to lift or lower a pen or to control a gripper.

PlotterServoControl_PWM

• Translates a 1% - 100% PWM signal to a RC-Servo compatible signal.
• A 0% PWM signal (spindle off) sets a predefined position by a potentiometer.
• Intended use: use the grbl spindle PWM signal to control a servo to lift or lower a pen.

Servo setup

I lift the pen with the help of a thin string (fishing line). In order to be able to adjust the height as finely as possible, the servo lever must be as short as possible. I use the servo axis to wind the line. To do this, I drilled through the side of the servo axle and threaded the cord through it.