AxiDraw Mini Kit Plots in a 6x4" Area

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!