How to turn your 3D printer into a drawing machine

In this video I show you how I modified my Ender 3 (3D printer) to be used as 2D pen plotter/ drawing machine!

I go through the Cura slicer settings I used to make this work and show you how to attach the 3D printed attachment to hold the pen.

Resources I used:

Pen/Pencil/Marker mount for Creality Ender 3 / CR-20 by Urish

[YarsonFrank]

How do you calibrate for the pen? I know you covered the z axis but how do I make the pen the center?

[rusticagenerica]

that pushing of the bolt by heating it and meling the plastic is one of the most charming things I have seen.

[grhmhome]

I highly recommend this project for broken 3d printers. My Any-cubic Mega Zero wasn't working great anymore, so I turned it into a pen plotter following your tutorial. What I did was disconnect the fans and used zip ties to attach the pen. Thanks.

[bleachedout]

I'm a tradional artist so drawing is the skill set I developed over time but seeing this makes me think of how awesome it would be to have many little machines doing all my outlines for me so I can increase my productivity.

[designerfetus]

So you turned a 3D printer into a printer… well good video.

[dougwolf]

I wish I found this tutorial before I ended up figuring this all out ! Very fun to tinker with !

[wesleyhale]

Change the last like of your G code to hop up more than 0.2mm after it finishes before wiping to the side so you won't get that weird line at the end

[yvindrauan]

This is just so cool! I have an Ender 5 pro, and after a couple of failed attempts, I got it to work! I am currently making a photo album, where I wanted to make little headings and drawings on the pages, in addition to the photos. Also, I tried to decorate a few plates with some drawings as well (black plate, silver marker), and it worked perfectly! Only the mind sets the limit to what this can be used for :) This was perfect! Thank you so much for this tutorial, I appreciate it so much :)

[backlightsnew]

Thanks for uploading this. This is all the right info I need to make my printer into a plotter.

[centpushups]

Get a drill tap threader for those holes. Never needed a nut ever again. One of the most revolutionary thing I did for my prototypes.

[danko]

This is a really good step-by-step guide.

[PiefacePete]

Thanks for the video, I have had success with a pen plotter, and now I'm looking for ways to use my Ender 3 as a vinyl cutter. All good fun. 👍

[grosnibards]

i'm following you right after this video! Really cool content and nice edit on de video.
nice job bud!

[ThatOneStuff]

I already have a non 3d printer machine that does this, but this is a very nice way to do this.

[KmFX]

Thanks for making a full explanation on how you did that!
I plan on doing this to write "labels" on some of my burned CD-Roms
Because sticking paper labels on those makes them heavier, ungainly... idk how to explain it
And because I have an absolutely terrible handwriting!

[stephennoriega]

How do you turn off the filament extruder?

[Arinnation]

why don't you export your cura profile and give us a download link?

[shaghayeghrezaie]

Thanks, I wanna know what is the use?

[savikate]

Greate job! Well done.
Background music id(s) please.

[Positive_Masculinity]

I see one of your test prints had lines going across the page. I am having the same problem. How did you fix this?