PolarPlot: 3D-printable SCARA plotter and laser engraver
Key Takeaway
PolarPlot is a 3D-printable, Arduino-driven SCARA mechanism designed for pen plotting or low-power laser engraving.
Summary
Engineer Simone Carriero has introduced PolarPlot, a 3D-printable CNC device using a five-link SCARA parallel mechanism instead of a traditional Cartesian gantry. The project is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter and provides files for users to build their own desktop plotter or a laser engraver using a module of 250mW or less. The system is controlled via Arduino and includes custom software.
Technical design of PolarPlot
- Uses a five-link SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) parallel mechanism.
- Controlled by an Arduino-based system with custom software.
- Operates in two modes: pen plotter (using a servo for the Z-axis) or laser engraver (using a $\le$250mW laser module).
- Designed to be more compact when idle compared to Cartesian XY systems.
Why it matters
The project provides an accessible entry point for makers to learn about inverse kinematics and CNC mechanics through 3D printing and open hardware.
Original reference: www.hackster.io →