REVIEW & TUTORIAL - iDraw H Pen Plotter with Laser Engraver by UUNA TEK® (XY Drawing Machine)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
- The best pen plotter? The new, super fast and amazing UUNA TEK® iDraw H Pen Plotter and Laser Engraver. Best pen plotter? Use the coupon code ( THEDOTISBLACK ) to get 15% off on any purchase: uunatek.com/products/uuna-tek...
UUNA TEK® iDraw H is the best plotter that I have worked with.
This review and tutorial includes a juxtaposition of the AxiDraw and iDraw pen plotters, mainly it compares the speed of each pen plotter. It also includes the review of 2.5 W laser module.
This is a review and tutorial of the iDraw H pen plotter by UUNA TEK. The review shows the unboxing, assembly and installation of the pen plotter. Additionally, the precision, speed and potential of the pen plotter is reviewed. The pen plotter uses an extension for InkScape to control and operate the iDraw. Lightburn is used for laser engraving and cutting. Most notably about the iDraw is the pen holder plate, the basement plate (drawing surface), the solid and symmetrical frame architecture, and above all the incredible speed.
The iDraw H is a great pen plotter that also allows the installation of a laser module. Overall, the iDraw H is an excellent pen plotter with many features that its competitor, the AxiDraw, lacks.
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Chapters:
Pen plotter:
0:00 Introduction to iDraw H
1:01 iDraw pen plotter website and other plotters
3:49 Unboxing
4:56 Assembly of pen plotter
6:27 Tip how to use the cable spiral sleeve
7:28 View at the backside
8:26 Pen holder plate explained
10:54 How to calibrate the pen
12:01 Software and plug-in installation
14:01 Home button and plot optimization
15:14 Test plots (Dots lines and circles)
16:52 Plotting with a pencil
17:43 Speed test 1 (AxiDraw vs iDraw)
19:15 Is it really 14000 mm/min?
20:13 Speed test 2 (AxiDraw vs iDraw writing text)
21:47 Speed test 3 (AxiDraw vs iDraw 300% faster!)
Laser engraver and cutter:
23:19 LASER ENGRAVER AND CUTTER
24:29 Laser subplate
25:24 Laser Safety Glasses
26:17 Software Lightburn
29:32 Laser focus: How to calibrate?
30:47 Home position
32:41 Apple - Laser engraving test
31:23 Laser cutting test
33:23 Yellow cutting test
Summary:
34:25 Other awesome plots
35:03 Final thoughts
38:31 Conclusion
40:26 Use code (THEDOTISBLACK) to get 15% discount
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Software: InkScape, Lightburn
inkscape.org/
lightburnsoftware.com/
Pen plotter: UUNA TEK® iDraw H
uunatek.com/
SVG file for testing: www.dropbox.com/s/lcx6n5mhwmk...
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For additional drawing machine videos, please visit the playlist "Drawing Machine | Pen Plotter": • AxiDraw & iDraw Drawin...
Review of UUNA TEK® iDraw 2.0 A3: • REVIEW - New PEN PLOTT...
Creative coding tutorials: • Processing art tutoria...
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▌ Made with code (Processing) and iDraw/AxiDraw
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*UPDATE: During the holiday season, use the coupon code ( THEDOTISBLACK ) to get 20% off on any purchase on* uunatek.com/products/uuna-tek-h-version-pen-plotter-a3-size-handwriting-machine-xy-plotter-laser-engraver
Hello everyone! This is the iDraw H pen plotter by UUNATEK. So far, this is the best pen plotter that I have ever worked with! Thus, I have put a lot of effort in this video and spent a lot of time exploring this plotter. I know the video is quite long but there is simply too much to talk about it. Hope you'll find it interesting. Don't forget, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
If you use the coupon code ( *THEDOTISBLACK* ), you can get 15% off on any purchase on uunatek.com/
Don't miss 17:43 Speed test 1 (AxiDraw vs iDraw) !
And the laser engraver...
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As a total beginner looking to buy my first plotter, this is a fantastic video. Thank you for making it.
You’re welcome, Monty. And if you have any questions, let me know.
Thank you for making this tutorial!
Great stuff! Got an H about 2 weeks ago and appreciate all of the info.
Hi Ed! Glad to hear that it’s informative. How do you like it the iDraw H so far?
@thedotisblack creative coding It's great. I'm happy to see you found a way to manage the cords. It's a clever, stable device. I'm inspired to get the laser as well. Thanks for your videos, mate.
WOW, what an in detail video
Indeed. I did it detailed because I remember when I bought my first plotter, I did not know anything and couldn’t find any good reviews and information.
Awesome video ❤
Thanks Pieter! Glad you like it. The video became too long but I didn’t know what to leave out.
Excellent presentation on the 'iDraw H A3 pen plotter' and 'LightBurn software'! I found the video informative and well-explained. I appreciate the insights, and covering tips for improving the product. Kind of surprised that it needs a light guard, I guess you and add one.
A light guard dir the laser adds additional protection. Without it you must always wear the protective glasses. But you can add one. It might be a hassle to find one though.
I love your accent. This is so technical. But it makes beautiful art.
Thank you, Joyce! My accent adapts always to the location I am at. ;)
@@thedotisblack I thought that only happened with me. I guess it happens to everyone. Thank you.
Does the plotter shake while printing? Without paper base, would there be a problem with precise drawing if the plotter would shake?
Klasse Video! so funktioniert Verkaufen: nach diesem Video weiss ich genau, was ich bestelle und was mich erwartet. VIELEN DANK, sehr hilfreich :-)
Freut mich, dass das Video hilf. Nebenbei, diese oder nächste Woche werde ich eine neue Review für den A1 Plotter veröffentlichen.
Could you do a video with the 10W/15W Laser Head for iDraw H A3/A1 Size plotters and how different they are from the 2.5W in speed and cutting depth, I guess they would need a better Laser Subplate?
I am sorry, but I don’t have the 10/15 W laser module. In my personal opinion, if you want a 15 W laser, I’d rather buy a dedicated laser machine.
The reason is simply, 15W is powerful and you will need a proper setup for the baseplate to avoid any damages below. That said, you can operate a 15 W laser with this plotter, but you have to be careful.
Danke!
Stefan, vielen vielen Dank! :)
(Ich habe es erst jetzt auf'm Desktop gesehen.)
Thanks for the review ! Does the laser cut can cover the whole A3 surface ? Does the weight of the laser is an issue when using the plotter ?
Yes, the laser module covers/engraves/cuts the entire A3 area and the weight is not a problem. I've been using the pen plotter with the laser module attached at the highest speed. No issues at all.
My machine is almost identical and the diode type lasers present no weight problem
Great review. Does this machine support HPGL, DMP, PCL, G Code? And is the laser power programmable? Thanks
You can control the machine with GRBL, hence g code is possible. The rest I cannot tell but you can check the driver board. The plugin is in python and you can change anything you want and I guess you can even control the machine with Processing. (Same as the AxiDraw.)
The laser power can be adjusted with software, GRBL and LightBurn.
That said, you download the drivers and plugin from the website and review.
@@thedotisblack thanks! I also wonder if this could be equipped with a cutting blade. My brother worked at Gerber and helped designed their vinyl sheet cutters. The knife would slice the vinyl then the machine would pick up the blade and turn and plunge it to make nice curves. Roland completed dominated but the high end cutters have what they call tangential cutting. For this machine to have this, like the laser it would need it’s own power and motor and data cable back to the controller. That would be the trifecta. Then add 3D printing but I digress
That’s a questions I cannot answer. I’d like to a blade cutting machine but don’t have experience with it (yet).
But I think this machine won’t work with blades. You’d need to adapt too much.
@@thedotisblack for sure. It clearly doesn’t have the controller board and necessary wiring harness. I just wish there was an all in one machine that could cut vinyl with a blade, engrave with a laser and plot with multiple pens. I own a plotter simply because I admire mechanical devices that do something and it’s entertaining
@@thedotisblack yes they do run gcode no no HPGL no no DMP or PLC years ago I had 2 hp plotters which ran HPGL fine machines but today its gcode and inkscape.
Hello Sir,
instead of using Incscape to plot could you use Lightburn for plotting with the pens?
If so can you explain how to do it.
I hope you can answer my question.
Greetings from Belgium
Lightburn is for laser cutting and engraving only. It does not control the pen holder plate and thus it is not possible to use it for pen plotting.
@@thedotisblack Lightburn can work if the pen is activated with a servo . I have a Eleksmaker A3 en can switch between laser en plotter and they work both with Lightburn.
You can you use Lightburn for the laser module on the iDraw. However, I checked the Lightburn forum and some people manage it to work for pens but only if the pen holder plate has a servo motor. The iDraw has a stepper motor, it doesn’t work with it. Lightburn does not control the z-axis. Please correct me if I am wrong. Here is the link:
forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/can-lightburn-be-used-with-a-pen-in-place-of-a-laser/10498/16
But I don’t know why people would like to use Lightburn for plotting. If you like to use some features of it, you can always edit your images there and export an SVG and then plot it via GRBL or InkScape. You will have more control over your plotter with these apps. Why do you want to use Lightburn for pen plotting?
Because i find Lightburn easy to work with instead of Inkscape thats my peronal opinion@@thedotisblack
What does it take to adapt the A3 plotters to make them work for larger paper sizes?
Actually, I will receive an A1 pen plotter in the next weeks and will do a review video on it. A3 is great but I often need larger formats.
@@thedotisblack Looking forward. Keep me posted please
Thanks for this review. Does this laser leave a black line on white paper after lasercutting?
Hi Rowin, at 32:30 you can see for a short moment a cut out circle on ivory paper. The front has no soot, back side is slightly yellow (that’s normal without air assist and grill), and the inner side of the edge is dark brown where the laser burns through the paper. That’s normal, there’s always soot with lasers.
@@thedotisblack Have you had the opportunity to try the 10/15W laser head as well?
@@thedotisblack What if I layered 3 sheets of paper, would the center layer white paper have no burn marks? Also is it true that the lowest power laser model 500mW produces a smaller engraving dot per inch\millimeter than the higher 2500mW? Thanks for the *another* great video! Cheers!
No, I did not test the 10/15W lasers by uunatek. However I have a couple of 5W and a 20W diode laser machine. These are dedicated laser machines.
In general, there shouldn’t be any problem with more power. Works the same, just faster. But you’ll need protect the baseplate better.
Actually, you shouldn’t layer sheets of paper to cut through. It will be worse and you’ll need more time and power. Rather separate the sheet of paper from below, raise with a honeycomb grid for example. I have some laser cutting videos where you can see it.
The laser spot size depends rather on whether it a short or long focus laser. Short focus has rather smaller spots and is better for engraving, long focus generally has slightly higher spots and is better for cutting through thicker materials.
500mW is slow. You can always change the power of a laser and thus adjusting the intensity of the burning/cutting.
where do i get a laser module? is it only for that plotter? I have the axidraw v3, i hope i didnt buy the wrong one
If you go to the website, you have several options to select from for this plotter, including the laser module.
The laser modules work only with the iDraw models 2.0, H, A2, A1 and A0. These models have strong frames to hold the additional weight and the microcontrollers have the necessary plug for a laser module, including additional power adapter.
The AxiDraw platform is not made for laser modules unfortunately.
Friend, a question, does idraw h also work for notebooks?
Sure it does. Without any problems.
Thank you for such a high resolution review.
Say you wanted to plot on an A2 piece of paper by splitting an image into two A3 sections.
Do you think it's possible to could calibrate it perfectly enough to do that and so that there would be no visible seem between the two halves? Hope that question makes sense.
I understand your question and it is possible. However, you will need to calibrate the paper, extremely precisely. Of course it depends on the type of work too. Perhaps, to avoid visible “seams”, I’d divide the artwork in more sections. This way it’d look natural.
Additionally, if you want to use an A2 canvas, you will need to work without the base plate. A2 does not fit between the frames.
@@thedotisblack thanks for that. it seems like it’d be a bit of a battle of the artwork became too detailed. I think in that case it’s best I bite the bullet on an a1/a2 plotter.
One more question. How does the plotter generally determine the path it travels? Or where it begins on an image and where it ends? Is that something that the software determines/optimises automatically with an algorithm? Or does one need manually determine/define the order of paths in an SVG. For example, with your pencil test, it creates the outline first, and then fills it. Or in that case is the outline and fill separated layers? Hope that makes sense. @@thedotisblack
@leslie_sharpe good questions. First of all, you can work and should work with layers, especially if you work with different pens or types of drawing elements (hatches vs. lines). In InkScape you can assign your drawing elements to separate layers. The plug-in of iDraw will draw each layer separately, or you can turn off the layers that you don’t want to draw, and only draw what is visible.
Second, within each layer or in general the drawing can be optimized. The plug-in provides you with three options, either keep the order of the drawing path as it has been drawn or reorganize the order to speed up the drawing process.
So helpful to understand this detail. I've ordered an A1 model. A week ago I had barely heard about plotters. Now I'm a bit obsessed. Thanks mate. @@thedotisblack
It would be nice to also compare the quality of the plots of the AxiDraw and iDraw. I see, you already made a different video about that. Did the quality of the H model change?
Personally I use the iDraw H only. My AxiDaw A3/V3 is doing nothing for a year already. That said I am very pleased with the iDraw H. It’s super fast, accurate and easy to operate, especially with the base plate.
I will not do a video comparing the plotters. In my opinion there’s no need. Both plotters are very good.
Biggest differences are though:
- the iDraw is faster when it comes to short lines. Continuous lines are the same speed.
- pen holder plate of the iDraw has a stepper motor. It’s great and huge upgrade compared to AxiDraw’s stepper motor.
- iDraw H needs less space to work with. The AxiDraw A3 for example, needs an area of A2 because the y-axis extends in both directions. It’s takes a lot of space. IDraw, on the other hand, needs less space.
- software/plugins are the same.
- however, one big difference is that the Axidrae is gentle to pen tips. It works with gravity. iDraw adds a lot of pressure. But personally I prefer pressure because the lines are stronger and no need for additional weight.
…
There’s more but it eventually it depends on the type of drawing, pens, ink and paper surface.
Great extensive reply @thedotisblack, thank you!
hi, how do I contact u? I didnt see any information on your detail
Hi Maggie, you can find my contacts here:
thedotisblack.com/about#contact
@@thedotisblack thank u so much
@@thedotisblack thanks a lot
😄
Unlike my HP 7550 there is no pen carousel.
Indeed. A pen carousel would be amazing. However, I assume it would diminish the speed and reliability of the pen holder plate.
can you draw anything on it
Pretty much as long as it is a vector file. Applications can help to translate images into vectors.
for less money
In terms of hardware, it's shaved to the bone for profit... yes - for the money you can build a level better machine