2 layers107 × 54 mm
2 layers50 × 73 mm
MotorControlBoard
yousseftechdev/YT-CNC-PlotterI have learned so much about CAD from making this project, this has been such a great learning experience, but the most important thing I've learned is not to use Fusion 360 ever again.
- Size
- 50 × 73 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 12
- Nets
- 46
- Pads
- 90
- Tracks, vias
- 176, 8
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 9 Jun 2025
- Updated
- 12 Jun 2025
Overview
MotorControlBoard is an open-source printed circuit board by yousseftechdev, from the yousseftechdev/YT-CNC-Plotter repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 50 × 73 mm with 12 parts on 46 nets, routed with 176 tracks and 8 vias.
It is built around the ULN2003A. Its parts include 4 connectors, 3 capacitors, 2 ICs, 1 resistor and 1 diode. It belongs with the AVR (ATmega, ATtiny) boards of this library.
Main components
1README
README.mdYT CNC Plotter
This is a hobby project, it's basically a Mini CNC Plotter made using small 5v stepper motors and an Arduino Nano, I'll use it to draw circuits on copper plates to essentially make DIY single layer PCBs.
Showcase
How does it work?
It uses gear tracks the are moved by the stepper motors, two stepper motors are used to control the X and Y position of the pen and the third motor is used to control the Z position aka the up and down movement of the pen, a script will be used to translate normal G-Code that's used in big CNC machines into something the Arduino can understand.
How to build?
All you need to do is print the PCB and solder the components specified in the Bill of Materials (BOM) section, or if you don't feel like printing the PCB just put all the components on a breadboard and follow the schematic in my Journal for the wiring, then print the frame parts and mount the stepper motors to it and boom, you're done!
BOM:
| Name | Price | Quantity | Vendor | Link | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino Nano | ~ 300 EGP | 1 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | ~ 300 EGP |
| 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor | 175 EGP | 3 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 525 EGP |
| ULN2003A Motor Driver Chips | 64 EGP | 2 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 128 EGP |
| 100 nF Capacitors | 45 EGP | 2 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 90 EGP |
| 100 uF Capacitor | 26.5 EGP | 1 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 26.5 EGP |
| JST HX 5 Pin connector | 44 EGP | 3 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 132 EGP |
| 5v Adapter | 52.25 EGP | 1 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 52.25 EGP |
| Barrel Jack | 130 EGP | 1 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 130 EGP |
| Female Pin headers | 52 EGP | 1 | Amazon Egypt | Buy | 52 EGP |
| 3D Printing | Depends on vendor | Depends on vendor | |||
| PCB Manufacturing | Depends on vendor | Depends on vendor | |||
| Grand total: 1303.75 EGP or 26.33 USD |
What have I learned?
I have learned so much about CAD from making this project, this has been such a great learning experience, but the most important thing I've learned is not to use Fusion 360 ever again.
Note: If you want to print the STL files please scale them down, Fusion messed up when exporting.
Parts
12| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | B5B-XH-ALFSN | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B5B-XH-A_1x05_P2.50mm_Vertical | J2, J3, J4 |
| 2 | 100nF | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D5.0mm_W2.5mm_P5.00mm | C1, C2 |
| 2 | ULN2003A | Package_DIP:DIP-16_W7.62mm | U1, U2 |
| 1 | 100 uF | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mm | C4 |
| 1 | 220 Ohm | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0204_L3.6mm_D1.6mm_P7.62mm_Horizontal | R1 |
| 1 | Arduino_Nano_v3.x | Module:Arduino_Nano | A1 |
| 1 | Barrel_Jack | Connector_BarrelJack:BarrelJack_Horizontal | J1 |
| 1 | LED | LED_THT:LED_D5.0mm | D1 |
Questions
How big is the MotorControlBoard PCB?
It measures 50 × 73 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the MotorControlBoard use?
12 parts, built around the ULN2003A. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the MotorControlBoard KiCad files?
From the yousseftechdev/YT-CNC-Plotter repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB/motorControlBoard.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB/motorControlBoard.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the MotorControlBoard design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask yousseftechdev before reusing the design.
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