3D printers can produce more than just plastic objects. With little effort, many devices can also be used as simple plotters – for drawing SVG files with a pen, for example. In a recent video, YouTuber Jason Winfield shows how a standard Ender-3 V2 can be converted for this purpose without compromising the original printing function.
The aim was to make it possible to switch between classic 3D printing and plotting without conversion. The solution: a holder for a pen that is simply mounted next to the extruder. A 1 mm measuring block is used for calibration, allowing the pin to be precisely aligned with the nozzle. A special Cura configuration ensures that the printer does not perform any filament movements, but only uses Z and XY movements.
Simple SVG files are used as input data. The user converts these into STL files using an automated workflow – consisting of Inkscape, OpenSCAD and a batch script – which can be sliced and printed like normal 3D print objects. The printouts are then made on paper or other flat materials that are fixed to the print bed. Particularly helpful: As these are standard print jobs, repeated jobs can be restarted directly via OctoPrint or Klipper.
The conversion is reversible and the standard configuration is retained. If you want to use the Ender-3 regularly, simply select the original printer in the slicer.
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