String Art Machine

The idea

After I made the Dali work, several people came to ask me if it was for sale, so I saw a potential to make some money. I thought about it and I said to myself that it was impossible for me to spend all my weekends weaving artworks. So I decided to create a machine that would allow me to do other things while the works were being created.

The design

So I searched the Internet to see if there were any such machines already available and I did find some. I then took inspiration from two machines and started to design my own using the 3D design software Fusion360.

Afterwards, I inquired about the electronic operation of the machines. I then discovered that one of the creators of one of the machines had also created "GRBL ESP32". GRBL is a program that allows anyone to create their own CNC machine at home using an Arduino programming board. The advantage of GRBL ESP32 is that this program runs on an ESP32, a much more powerful board than an Arduino and which has wifi! So I wanted to make an electronic board that would make the link between the ESP32 and the motor driver and the different buttons.

The realization

Once the different 3D models were created, I started 3D printing the parts on my 3D printer and then I also did the machining of the larger parts on the CNC in the FabLab.

The machining is directly configurable from the Fusion360 software and I was helped by the FabManager to take into account the machine constraints during the machining preparation.

The tests of works

With the machine assembled, I was able to start a test procedure, as follows:

– Check that the machine positions itself correctly when it is asked to move 1 nail.

– The wire wraps properly around the nails.

– The picture is correctly represented.

So I had to make the necessary modifications to validate my test procedure. Thanks to this, I was able to produce my first work without any external help. The machine worked in total autonomy without any problem.

The version 2

After several tests, I saw that this version needed some improvements. So I took the initiative to make a second version and to remove all the problems of the first one and to add new things.

This is particularly the case for the positioning which is not precise enough and the belt system which has problems with pitch jump. So I installed a 10:1 gearbox directly on the motor.

With this new version, I can accommodate any support from 20 to 60 cm in diameter.

Commercialization

All this is driven in part because I want to market my artwork. So I am in the process of creating a sales site. I'm also working on everything that is the packaging of the product.

I'll be happy if it all works out, because it will be a kind of reward for the hundreds of hours of work I put in. But if it doesn't, I'll have the credit of having tried and I'll be able to learn from my mistakes for the future!

To be continued...