The Drawing Machine
Project Details
Project Name: Experimental Lab Technology
Group participants: Chloe Gill and Evelyn Lieng
Course: MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY 2
Concept Development
“A motorised drawing machine that creates different patterns, that operates through movement and time”
Our concept is to design a drawing machine, powered by Arduino (motor platform), that will allow two motors to be set in a rotating motion. One plate will be attached to the top of the motors and the drawing plate (the largest circle) will hold a layer of salt. As the smaller plate moves, it will support a stick that, as a result, will create a pattern in the salt while moving.
Brain Storming
Moodboard
Materiality
The main structure of the drawing machine will be made out cardboard and thin wood board.
To create more support, we have incorporated metal rods into the design. Two rods will be glued at the front and the back of a cardboard strip. The bottom of the rod will then be glued to the smaller plate, and the front rod will rest on the centre plate to create different patterns in the salt.
In keeping with our theme, we covered the box with green wrapping paper and painted the wooden board with bright pink paint. In addition, we covered both plates with decorative paper.
The base of the machine will be made out of wood. We began by using cardboard however, we discovered that using wood will create a sturdy structure, to hold the motors in place.
All materials and suppliers were purchased from local stores in the Milan area.
Materiality
Hitec Servo HS- 430BH (1X)
The Hitec Servo is capable of producing 6.0 to 7.4-volt operation. The voltage can be altered by using Audino, to create the right speed for the machine.
3V-123V 3 Power Supply Adaptor (1x)
Gear motor 8 - 143:1 Offset Shaft (1x)
Gear motor 8 will be used to power the centre plate of the drawing machine. It will produce more power, allowing the plate to spin continuously.
ARDUINO (1X)
Is an open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling us to create the interactive machine. Codes will be used to alter the speed of the machine and enable all operations to run simultaneously.
Development Sketches
The first sketch shows the basic design of a drawing machine. This design shows one centre plate, with two smaller plates that will control two cardboard strips.
The cardboard strip will hold a pencil in place while creating different patterns on the centre plate.
Secondly, we have experimented with a method to conceal the motors, that will control the spinning plates. We plan to create a box and a lid, that will be inspired by the design of a record player, that will also allow the machine to be easily transported.
Thirdly, we experimented with the concept of creating a vertical drawing machine rather than horizontal.
Development Photos
For the prototype, we began by cutting out a cardboard base, and 3 cardboard plates that will spin in varying motions.
As we moved through the development, we decided to remove one of the smaller plates and keep one plate that would spin in slight 180-degree motion.
For the electrical components, we connected the Arduino board to a breadboard. The breadboard acts as a server between the wires and Arduino.
In order for the drawing machine to operate effectively, we were required to connect several wires to the Arduino board, then solder the wires to the motors. The power of the Arduino is operated by a power adaptor.
Rather than gluing the motors to the wooden base, we created wooden rectangular support, to stabilize the motor whilst it spins. Despite having wooden support that motors kept falling from the wooden board. Therefore, we added a layer of glue around the motor to increase support, whilst the motor spins.
​
Once the Arduino and breadboard were connected, we attached a wire from the white motor in order to power the Arduino circuit.
​
Final Design
