Ok the #FastBot assembly documents and STL files are available. You get a zip file which has an epub / HTML version of the instructions, all of the STL files, and a graphic cross reference of the 3D parts.

https://archive.org/details/fast-bot-assembly

Disassembled. Detail photos next post. #fastbot #plotterbuild

@paulrickards
Oh this reminds me @smerp lately put out a series, describing in detail how to make one of his #fastbot

I recorded the #FastBot torture test plot for your amusement / edification. #plotterbuild

Device parameters: X & Y top speed 166mm/s, X acceleration 12Kmm/s^2, Y acceleration 3Kmm/s^2, pen lift speed 83mm/s, pen lift acceleration 8Kmm/s^2, pen lift distance about 3mm.

It's about 10 minutes long, and includes the vector graphics resonance test and a filled text pen lift test. There's audio but it's faint. The shaking is the entire table wobbling...

https://youtu.be/fMaSF1_nl2g

Some #plotterbuild #fastbot notes. I’m presently doing a bit of production plotting on the machine built for you all the past couple months.

What I found making it ready to go: the y rollers were a little loose, the rail was rattling.

To fix: slide rail to middle of y axis. Loosen both Y tension knobs. Loosen left roller bolts. Remove belt lock from rear left side of rail. Pop left side of rail off frame. Loosen left roller mount bolts, slide inward 1-2mm. Reassemble/tighten/tension.

Okay, let's FINISH this #FastBot #plotterbuild are you readyyyyyy? Parts:

machine as it exists now
controller box lid with fan installed
1x 30cm or so Dupont to bare end wire
1x variable length hookup wire for grounding
7x 3x8mm machine screws
1x 3mm t-slot nut
4x driver heat sinks (came with drivers)
a few zip ties

3D printed parts

10x or so t-slot cable clips
Nx cable chain clips (one per cable chain segment)
1x end stop / ground clamp

This is going to be long-ish, sorry

Moving forward with #FastBot #plotterbuild -- today is testing the motors and getting the cables properly labeled. Parts:

2x 3x8mm machine bolts
2x 3mm t-slot nuts

assembled machine with motor cables in place but not routed (don't do that yet)

assembled controller box

computer running CNC control software (Lightburn in my case)

Masking tape
Pen
Paper

Okay let's do some #FastBot #plotterbuild today is figuring out the wiring for the motors. Parts:

4x motor cables -- 4 pin Dupont (driver side) to six pin PH2.0 motor side. Length?

Three of the four motors are on the back rail of the plotter, and the controller box goes in the middle of the back rail of the plotter, so those three cables can be short.

Measure it to be sure - distance from motor to middle of rear rail plus 20cm or so for routing. All three can be the same, maybe 50cm?

More #FastBot #plotterbuild -- today: assembling the controller box. Parts:

1x 3d printed FastBot box
1x 3d printed box cover (not shown)
1x Arduino UNO (firmware already on board)
1x CNC shield with drivers (already set up)
4x switches (we wired up earlier)
3x 3x8mm machine bolts
4x 3x20mm machine bolts (not shown)
7x 3mm hex nuts
1x 40x40x10mm 5v cooling fan (not shown)

It's a fun day of making things pretty. Let's go.

Hey let's do some #FastBot #plotterbuild -- since I don't have to photograph anything today, we can just jump in. Parts needed:

1x Arduino UNO board (plotter controller)
1x USB cable
1x computer of some kind: linux, mac or windows

Today is about firmware, the software that gets loaded onto the UNO. This isn't going to be micro-managed, you're going to have to learn some stuff, download software, run it, and follow other instructions to get everything going.

Lets do some #fastbot #plotterbuild -- today we're setting up the stepper motor driver board and adjusting the driver power. We'll need:

1x Arduino UNO R3 main board
1x "Protoneer" CNC shield revision 3
4x Motor driver sub-boards (see below)
6x jumper blocks
1x Power cable/switch from yesterday
1x 24v power supply
1x USB A to A cable

Tools include a tiny flat bladed screwdriver and a voltmeter.

Hey, let's do some #FastBot #plotterbuild. Today we're wiring up some switches.

Parts:

3x single pole double throw (SPDT) rocker switches, panel snap in type, for opening 12x20mm (one red, two black for best style)

1x single pole single throw (SPST) momentary pushbutton, normally open (NO), panel mount type, for opening 14mm diameter (red button)

(parts list continues)

Here’s the 3D printed controller box for #fastbot. Everything tucks in neatly and the switches are labeled in relief. (You can easily paint them and the logo if you want.). There’s a place for a fan so the motor drivers don’t overheat.

It looks “skeletal,” with exposed ribs, to cut plastic use by about 30% with no loss of strength. The box and cover together weigh under 70 grams.

Some #plotterbuild #fastbot talk about wiring.

The control box has switches that connect to the controller board. The board has header pins sticking up for you to wire into. You can plug wires on these pins using Dupont connectors.

You can buy batches of wire from AliExpress with individual DuPont connectors already attached on both ends, like this 20cm cable.

Cut 2-3 wire wide strands of this in half and you get readymade switch wiring looms, just strip the ends.

Not counting hardware, and motor and ground cables, this is the #fastbot #plotterbuild controller parts collection. Of course there’s a nice 3D printed box to keep it tidy, and a fan to keep everything cool.

Going to be a while for those cables tho.

I promise it’ll be fairly easy to wire up. And the one-time programming of the controller happens over USB with the comparably easy to use Arduino software.

Watch this space …

In re #fastbot #plotterbuild it is going to probably be a couple weeks before we pick up on the electronics because I have discovered I do not have the proper motor cabling to show you, so that has to be ordered in. Alas, my mistake.

Let's finish Act 2 of #FastBot #plotterbuild. Today's parts:

1x 3x30mm machine bolt (approx length ok)
5x 3x8mm machine bolts
2x 3mm hex nuts
2x 3mm t-slot nuts
2x 3d printed end stop bumpers
1x 3d printed clamp knob
1x 3d printed clamp bracket
1x 3d printed pen holder

Glue

And the machine as it exists, of course.

Onward with #fastbot #plotterbuild today is all about the lift cable. It's pretty complicated so there will be a few posts. Parts:

1x 3x8mm machine bolt
1x 3mm hex nut
1x 3D printed cable drop

Braided PE (polyethylene) fishing line, 8# to 15#. Do not substitute! Length dependent on size of machine, if you can cadge a few metres from a fishing buddy do it, otherwise just buy the shortest roll you can.

1cm x 1cm piece of felt or craft foam

Glue

Cat assistant not necessary but helpful.

Had a few days of vacation. Let's get back into #FastBot #plotterbuild today with sizing and installing the lift cable tube. Parts:

a length* of 4x2mm PTFE tubing
2x 3x8mm machine bolts
2x 3mm t-nuts
2x 3d printed cable brackets
small zip ties

The tubing is the exact same type used for guiding filament for 3D printers. It must be PTFE (teflon) for low friction. How long? Let's say Y axis + 30cm. But since it usually comes in multiples of metres, just get a couple meters.

Let's do more #FastBot #plotterbuild what say. Today: cable chain. This is the guideway for the pen motor and lift cables. It's fun to build! Parts:

2x 3x8mm pan head machine bolts
1x 3mm t-nut
1x 3mm hex nut
1x 3d printed cable chain head
1x 3d printed cable chain tail
unknown x 3d printed cable chain segments