Drawbot automatic centering with limit switches, new OSX app on the way

The analog pins on the Adafruit Motor Shield have never been put to use. Today I finally printed the new motor mounts listed on the thingiverse page. There are 5 small holes on the side of each mount. I put an exposed wire through each pair of holes and the bobbin thread through the center hole. When the pen holder comes up and touches the wires together, the drawbot knows it’s about to break a string and stops automatically. I can also use this to re-center the robot with Settings > Drive Manually > Find Home.

So now all I need is pen up and pen down and I’ll be satisfied the hardware for this machine is finished. Then I can spend more time on the business side of things. I long for the day when I’m selling enough of these that I can get a part time worker to help out. My goal is have one part time employee by my birthday in March.

In other related news Michael and Miguel have build & tested an OSX app package and are probably working on a windows one right now. That means everyone will be able to grab a much friendlier install without having to see github (read: leave my site). The assembly instructions will then move to my site, thingiverse will need to be updated to point here, and there’s probably a dozen other links I’ve forgotten I should include. Hey! If I put the assembly instructions on this site I can embed a video SHOWING the assembly process. Oh yeah, that’s the ticket. To bad I don’t have a camera to film it on. I didn’t realize my GoPro would have such a crazy fisheye. Maybe I can trade it to someone?

Don’t forget, the Drawbot – with auto-centering limit switches – will be making an appearance at the Vancouver Hack Space SHHH on August 18 (four days away). Come on down and participate! We’ll be taking requests for pictures, making a timelapse, and answering all your questions. I hear there’s even going to be a soldering contest. I’ll also have EL Wire on sale in case you still aren’t ready for Burning Man. Don’t miss it!