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About this project
What is mDrawBot ?: mDrawBot is a 4-in-1 drawing robot kit, it can be assembled into 4 different configuration drawing robots: mScara, mSpider, mEggBot and mCar.

Who are Talking about mDrawBot?

This kit consists of Makeblock parts and we also designed a powerful software named mDraw to control these robots. mDrawBot contains over 60 components (and countless screws and nuts), here's the picture of all the components.

mScara

mScara is a SCARA (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) driven by stepper motors. If you install a pen on mScara, it can draw pictures on a flat surface. Replacing the pen with a laser diode, it can turn into a desktop laser engraver.

mSpider

mSpider is a drawing robot which can draw pictures on a wall or a white board. Two stepper motors control the movement of mSpider though strings. Theoretically, it can draw in a huge range by increasing the length of strings.

mEggBot

mEggBot is designed to draw on things that are improbable to print on, such as eggs or ping-pong balls. It can be used to write letters or to draw expressions on eggs, or to draw Easter eggs.

mCar

mCar is a three-wheel robot car. It contains two stepper motor drive wheels and a ball caster wheel. It can draw its own movement tracks on the surface. If you install a chalk instead of a pen, it can draw on the floor.

How to use mDrawBot?

Assembly

Each mDrawBot kit can be assembled into any of the 4 different configurations. We provide the detailed assembling instructions and you can build any configuration in an hour. The assembly instructions can be downloaded here: https://github.com/Makeblock-official/mDrawBot.

You can also use your own Aruduino UNO instead of Makeblock Orion. The wiring may be a little complicated, but it works well.

Software

After installing the mDraw software, you can import images and make the robot draw them. mDraw is a powerful software designed for mDrawBot. Here are some features:

SVG import
BMP to SVG conversion
Support Gray-scale laser engraving
Several customizable paramters including limit switch location, stepper motor direction, drawing range
Zooming the drawing with the mouse wheel

mDraw is an open source project hosted on Github. Fork it here:https://github.com/Makeblock-official/mDrawBot.

A Drawbot, and More than a Drawbot

mDrawBot is a drawbot (or 4 drawbots), and it's more than a drawbot. You can re-use the Makeblock robot parts in countless new projects and it's easy to extend the kit with new parts. Here are some examples of what you could do:

Yes, you can do Cyanide

We also provide 2 upgrade packs for mDrawBot: the bluetooth module and the laser engraver pack (500mW).

You can also design your own upgrade pack for your mDrawBot. By adding an accelerometer and gyro sensor, it can become a two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle. Add some additional Makeblock mechanical parts and it may transform into a XY plotter. The only limit is your imagination.

Who is Creating mDrawBot?

mDrawBot is created by the Makeblock team. Makeblock is an aluminum extrusion based construction platform that can bring your creations to life. With Makeblock you can make professional and solid robots, machines or even art projects. Imagination is your only limitation.

We're located in the Maker City - Shenzhen, and we are passionate about our product. We believe in the ideology of open source technology. We're open to share and we hope you can share with us.

Why do we need your help?

We are using crowdfunding to get market validation and quick feedback that will help to expedite our research & development. To make mDrawBot more user-friendly, we want to listen to all your suggestions!

Timeline

Rewards

Stretch Goals

$100k ---- A free plastic egg and a pen for each mDrawBot. You can use them to test the mEggBot then make your own Easter Eggs.
$250k ---- A free attitude sensor for each mDrawBot. You can use it to build a self-balancing vehicle or even a self-stablized gimbal.

Risks and Challenges

The circuit boards and mechanical parts are from the existing Makeblock system. They have been field-tested by thousands of users since out last Kickstarter and proven to be solid. Several new mechanical parts have already passed testing and we have been testing the prototype for about 2 months.

The grayscale laser engraving function of mDraw (the software) is not completed yet, but it doesn't affect the function of this kit. We believe that it will be done before your mDrawBot is delivered to you.

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FAQ

Why is the freight so high with the early bird?
- It's improbable to set the freight of every country and territory due to the freight setting system of kickstarter. So we set an average value for some cases. If the setting freight ($57) is over your real freight, don't panic. We will send you some useful accessories for your mDrawBot, such as a gyroscope sensor. And the price of accessories will be higher than your "extra freight".
With which operating system can software work?
- mDraw can work with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
What material can the laser cut/engrave?
- Engraving: Wood boards, colorful paper cards, dark opaque acrylic, foam papers, dark cloth, leather, etc. Cutting: Colored paper cards, foam papers, etc. Power: 500mW.

Last updated: Tonight, in your basement, with the broomstick

Rewards

Pledge $1 or more

31 backers

Thank you!

Ever pledge means a lot to us. We'll do our best to improve mDrawBot. It's really cool that you like to read Game of Thrones and see so many people die in the book. Any suggestions or recommendations on mDrawRoBot are welcome.