At the intersection of analog computing, digital fabrication, and distanced collaboration, the 3D Printed Drawing Machine has beed one of the most complex projects I have worked on. Lacking motors and microcontrollers, it may not appear technically rigorous. Every detail, however, from the pen retention tip, to the print-in-place linkage hinges has been individually prototyped and iterated upon until the desired function and form were achieved. 

 

Two mechanical cams simultaneously actuate corresponding cam riders on an arm linkage, moving pen along paper predictably and repeatably, creating drawings which range from arbitrary scribbles to calculated forms. 

 

To create intentional illustrations, the motion of the arm is calculated at each point in a drawing and mapped onto polar coordinates using a custom python script which reverse-solves for the position of the cam riders given an input coordinate. The generated profile can then be printed and swapped into the machine.

 

Having initially built a plywood prototype at MakeHarvard in 2019, I made it my goal to create a fully 3D printed version of this unique automaton. I collaborated with my friend over quarantine to make this a reality. We met over zoom, cadded together on OnShape, and prototyped using our personal printers all while in different states. The result is rewarding, beautiful, and free to download.