AxiDraw Mini Kit Plots in a 6x4" Area
EMSL has announced a special compact addition to the AxiDraw lineup.
As seen here, Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories has just released the newest member of its AxiDraw family of pen plotters, the AxiDraw Mini! This device comes as a kit, and as you might suspect, has a relatively small plotting area at 6x4" (150 x 100mm). Because of this, the AxiDraw Mini is relatively portable, taking up less desk space — or storage area when its not in use — than its larger siblings. Also, the price is relatively small at $325, versus other models at between $475 and $800.
The little machine works on an x/y gantry system, with two steppers to pull your pen into position, and a small servo to lift or lower it when needed. It comes with a mounting easel on which to place paper, but the AxiDraw can also be placed directly on surfaces like boxes, notebooks, or large sheets of paper as expedient. Its holder accommodates a wide variety of implements, and can even devices like a fountain pen at 45° if necessary!
The plotter works with Mac, Windows, and Linux, and is driven via a custom AxiDraw Inkscape extension. While programming is not required for use, it features a standalone command-line interface, a Python API, and other tools that should get artistic hackers going on a wide variety of (small) projects!