The Pen Holder tool is used to draw Etch resist tracks on the copper .  I tested multiple pen, and the best pen is the Lumocolor from shaedtler ( 12mm diameter ) Apparently, it is recommended  to use the red one. I used successfully the black version.

 

 

 

The pen holder tool must slide within the MultiTool holder : do not fix it, but simply adjust the slidings each time you mount the tool, to ensure  precision. 

The weight of the pen plus the weight of the pen holder will be sufficient to maintain the pen in contact with the copper.

 

 

 

Build the pen holder tool

 

In order to build this tool, you will need to print :

 

1. The ToolSliderV5.stl file

   

 

 

 

1. The Cylindric Holder with a radius of 6 mm 

   

    

   Then, you can screw the cylindric holder using  3*1,5mm wood screws. And mount the etch resist pen on the tool

   

    

 the pen should be fixed so that, in the lower position, the pen is 1cm ( approximately ) below the 3D printer head.

 

 

Calibrate the tool

 

 You can now print the CalibrationPattern using your 3D nozzle.

 Generate the gcode files for your DesignSpark project. 

 

1. Print the pcbfactory\output\1_Calibration\3DPrint__Calibration_cross.gcode file.

 

This will print a cross, showing the P0 position on the 3D printer bed.

By default, the cross is at position (X=5,Y=5,Z=0). This could be modified if the default P0 position would not work with your printer in the "parameters.inc" file.

 

1. Launch the auto home process on the printer without the Pen tool installed.

 

This should put the mutitool Holder in a position (x=0, y=0, Z=0) where you can easily slide the pen holder on it.

 

 

 

Slide the pen holder tool within the multi tool holder. The pen holder must be installed in sliding mode (it must not be fixed on the tool holder) , it needs to slide easily vertically, but it must not move at all in other directions ( horizontally ) , so that the pen will remain very precise.

 

You can use the sliding adjustment screws on the tool holder to reduce any gap, but still, without blocking the pen holder.

 

 

 

Once the pen tool is installed, has no gap, and can slide vertically.

 

1. Move the X, Y,Z axis of the printer, using the menu of the printer  to move the tool, so that the pen exactly touches the center of the calibration cross.

2. Note the XYZ coordinatesfrom the printer screen, and enter these coordinates within the pcbfactory\Output\Tool_Pen.ini  file

 

 

Do not remove the “#” symbols in the file. These symbols are required.

 

Calibration is done.

You now need to regenerate the gcode files for your project, so that the gcode files will use the new calibration settings.

 

Note :

1. Each time a tool ini file is modified ( usually due to recalibration) , it is needed to regenerate all the gcode files by  launching the GenerateGcode.vbs script.