Design and Development of a Cost Effective and Modular CNC Plotter for Educational and Prototyping Applications

The growing demand for affordable and accessible Computer Numerical Control (CNC) systems has driven the need for modular and user-friendly solutions tailored for hobbyists, educators, and small-scale users. This paper presents a costeffective CNC plotter system leveraging open-source hardware and software to address limitations in existing low-cost designs. The system achieves a positional accuracy of 0.1 mm using stepper motors for <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathbf{X}$</tex> and <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathbf{Y}$</tex>-axis control and a servo motor for Z-axis adjustments. Experimental results validate its capability to perform intricate tasks such as engraving and plotting at a total cost of approximately 20,000 BDT (163 USD). The modular design supports tool interchangeability and scalability, enabling applications in education, prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing. By bridging affordability and functionality, this work provides a practical platform for introducing CNC technology to underserved markets. Future enhancements, including improved material compatibility, operational speed, and advanced user interfaces, are proposed to broaden its applicability.