AxiDraw V3/A3

by Evil Mad Scientist

Personal Writing and Drawing Machine with extended plot area for 11×17 or A3 size paper

The AxiDraw is a simple, modern, precise, and versatile pen plotter, capable of writing or drawing on almost any flat surface. It can write with your favorite fountain pens, permanent markers, and other writing implements to handle an endless variety of applications. Its unique design features a writing head that extends beyond the machine, making it possible to draw on objects bigger than the machine itself.


The AxiDraw V3/A3 is a special extended edition of the AxiDraw V3. While identical in most other aspects, it is designed for use with 11×17 inch (tabloid or ledger) and A3 size papers. It can also be used with paper of any smaller size, including cards and envelopes and US Letter or A4 paper. You can even use two pages of Letter or A4 paper, side by side.

AxiDraw is an extremely versatile machine, designed to serve a wide variety of everyday and specialized drawing and writing needs. You can use it for almost any task that might normally be carried out with a handheld pen.

It allows you to use your computer to produce writing that appears to be handmade, complete with the unmistakable appearance of using a real pen (as opposed to an inkjet or laser printer) to address an envelope or sign one's name. And it does so with precision approaching that of a skilled artist, and — just as importantly — using an arm that never gets tired.

AxiDraw is used by a genuinely diverse range of people, including (to name a few):

  • Celebrities, politicians, and elected officials, using AxiDraw as a signature machine
  • University officials and other educators, to sign diplomas and certificates
  • Digital artists, using AxiDraw to plot their artwork
  • Educators, introducing students to digital design and fabrication
  • Real estate and insurance agents, who would very much like you to open their "handwritten" envelopes
  • Online retailers, including a personalized thank you note with your order
  • Hotels that would like to leave a personalized welcome note for guests
  • Makerspaces and hackerspaces, providing a versatile low-cost fabrication tool
  • Tinkerers, extending AxiDraw beyond writing implements (etching tools, lasers, LEDs for light painting, vacuum pick-up tools, etc.)
  • Pen and ink manufacturers, using AxiDraw to test their pens and inks
  • Smartphone and tablet hardware makers, using a stylus to test their hardware
  • Mobile device software authors, using a stylus to test their software
  • People without use of their hands, who would like to send "handwritten" letters
  • Woodworkers, laying out joinery markings directly onto wood
  • Research scientists, as a low-cost XY motion platform
  • Galleries, for numbering of limited-edition artwork
  • Calligraphers, who could use a little wrist relief for certain types of busywork

Handling pens and paper:

As compared to the (US Letter/A4 sized) AxiDraw V3, the AxiDraw V3/A3 has extended travel range, designed for use with paper sizes up to and including 11×17 inch ("tabloid" or "ledger") and A3. It can work with any paper up to and including that size, including envelopes, regular US letter (8 1/2 × 11 inch) or A4 (297 × 210 mm) sized paper, note cards, business cards, or a whole array of smaller items. The AxiDraw comes with a mounting easel (board with clips) that can be used for holding paper, cards, and envelopes of various sizes. The AxiDraw V3/A3 also comes standard with AxiDraw Outrigger Feet pre-installed, for greater stance and stability while plotting.

The unique design of the AxiDraw features a drawing head that extends beyond the body of the machine, making it possible to also draw on flat objects bigger than the machine itself. For example, you can set it right on top of a box to write an address or add decorations. You can even set it on top of a poster board, chalkboard, or whiteboard to draw graphics in place.

The pen holder fits a wide variety of pens, including Sharpie fine and ultra-fine point markers, most rollerball and fountain pens, small-bodied whiteboard markers, and so forth. It can even hold a fountain pen at a proper angle of 45° to the paper. You can also use implements that aren't pens, such as pencils, chalk, charcoal, brushes, and many others. However, you'll get the best results with instruments such as fountain pens and rollerball pens, which do not require the user to apply pressure.

Getting Started

The AxiDraw comes fully assembled, tested, and ready to use, right out of the box. A USB cable is included with the AxiDraw, and an optional paper-holding easel. Assuming that you've installed the software first, you can be up and plotting within minutes of opening the box. The comprehensive PDF user guide walks you through every step of the process.

To operate AxiDraw, you will need a reasonably modern computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux), plus internet access to download necessary software. Pens and paper are not included. (You can use your own! AxiDraw does not require proprietary pens or paper.)

AxiDraw is normally controlled through a set of extensions to Inkscape, the excellent, popular and free vector graphics program. Basic operation is much like that of a printer driver: you import or make a drawing in Inkscape, and use the extensions to plot your text or artwork. It's all handled through a straightforward graphical user interface, and works cleanly on Mac, Windows and Linux.

More about AxiDraw

AxiDraw V3/A3 is based on the third-generation version of the AxiDraw, redesigned from the ground up for high performance. It features smooth rolling wheels on custom aluminum extrusions, specially designed for high stiffness and light weight. Its sturdy, rigid construction gives it finer quality output and in most applications allows it to operate with significantly higher precision and speed than competing and previous generation machines.

AxiDraw is a project by Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, working in collaboration with Lindsay Wilson of IJ Instruments Ltd.

AxiDraw machines are designed and manufactured by Evil Mad Scientist in Sunnyvale, California, with both foreign and domestic components.

AxiDraw comes with lifetime support. Evil Mad Scientist stand by their machines, and they're here to help whenever you need it.

What comes with the machine:

  • The AxiDraw V3/A3 drawing machine, fully assembled, tested, and ready to use.
  • Universal-input plug-in power supply with US-style plug. For other regions, an inexpensive plug shape (but not voltage) adapter will be needed.
  • USB cable
  • Easel (Board and clips) for paper holding
  • International multi-plug CE power supply.

Specifications:

Performance:

  • Usable pen travel (inches): 16.93 × 11.69 inches.
  • Usable pen travel (millimeters): 430 × 297 mm.
  • Vertical pen travel: 0.7 inch (17 mm).
  • Maximum XY travel speed: 15 inches (38 cm) per second.
  • Native XY resolution: 2032 steps per inch (80 steps per mm).
  • Reproducibility (XY): Typically better than 0.005 inches (0.1 mm) at low speeds.

Physical:

  • Major structural components are machined and/or folded aluminum.
  • Holds pens and other drawing instruments up to 5/8" (16 mm) diameter.
  • Overall dimensions: Approximately 26 × 18.5 × 4 inches (66 × 47 × 10 cm).
  • Maximum height with cable guides: Approximately 11 inches (29 cm).
  • Footprint: Approximately 26 × 5 inches (66 x 13) cm.
  • Physical weight: 5.5 Lb (2.5 kg).
  • Dimensional shipping weight: 39 Lb (17.5 kg).

Software:

  • Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux
  • Drive directly from within Inkscape, using the AxiDraw extension.
  • Comprehensive user guide available for download.
  • Driver software software free to download and open source
  • Internet access is required to download software.
  • Additionally, AxiDraw Merge software available at no cost to AxiDraw owners.

Programming interfaces:

  • Note: programming is not required to use the AxiDraw.
  • Stand-alone command line interface (CLI) .
  • Available AxiDraw python API.
  • RESTful API available for full machine control, stand-alone or accessible by running RoboPaint in the background.
  • Simplified "GET-only" API available as well, for use in programming environments (such as Scratch, Snap) that permit only retrieval of URLs.
  • Direct EiBotBoard (EBB) command protocol available for use in any programming environment that supports communication with USB-based serial ports.
  • Code that generates SVG files can also be used to (indirectly) control the machine.