openBrushograph
A CNC-style plotter for brushes and pens, built from a parametric X–Y gantry and a Z brush-lift mechanism.
Project documentation
Before you build
Five answers, each linked to its source
What does it cost?
Not documented
No cost in the reviewed sources.
Can I sell what I build?
Yes, with creditCommercial use OK, with credit
Hardware CERN-OHL-S-2.0 · Software not documented. Licensing source
What’s open?
1 of 6CAD: AvailableBOM: PartialPCB: PartialCode: PartialSim: Not documentedGuide: Partial
BOM, PCB, code, guide partial · sim not documented. All six files
Is it maintained?
Active
Latest activity Oct 15, 2026 · main repo last commit Oct 15, 2026 · 50 commits in the last 52 weeks · 3 contributors Activity
01 / Under the shell
The specifications.
Hardware, build and software on one sheet. Every fact links to where we found it.
openBrushograph is a small CNC-style plotter for brushes and pens. Its X–Y gantry is modeled in FreeCAD, and its Z brush-lift mechanism is modeled in OpenSCAD. The repository provides parametric source files and pre-exported STL parts for printing.
Hardware
- Actuators
- Not documented Documentation
- Build
- 3D-printed · printable parts in the repository Documentation
Building it
- Recommended materials
- PLA+ or better High Temperature PLA+; PETG is also highly recommended. README
02 / The files behind the robot
What’s open.
Six parts of the build, each checked separately. Gaps stay visible.
| Part | Status | What’s there | License | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD | Available | Parametric FreeCAD gantry and OpenSCAD Z-mechanism models, with pre-exported STL files. | Not documented | README |
| Bill of materials | Partial | A bill of materials is marked in progress and lists printed parts and hardware. | Not documented | README.md |
| Electronics | Partial | The README points to a dedicated repository for the PCB BOM and design files. | Not documented | github.com |
| Code | Partial | A Python build script exports STL folders from the FreeCAD model. | Not documented | build_versions.py |
| Simulation model | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | No source found |
| Assembly guide | Partial | The README links to wiki pages with printing and assembly instructions. | Not documented | wiki.sgmk-ssam.ch |
03 / Know before you build
Can you sell it?
Yes, with creditCommercial use OK, with credit
The hardware design is CERN-OHL-S-2.0. Commercial use is allowed if you keep the maker’s copyright and license notices. Changes you distribute must be shared under the same license.
- Hardware
- CERN-OHL-S-2.0
- Software
- Not documented
04 / The upstream project
Is it maintained?
ActiveLatest activity Oct 15, 2026, 15 days before the snapshot
The main repository’s last commit was Oct 15, 2026.
- Stars
- 28
- Forks
- 1
- Contributors
- 3
- Latest release
- V6.2 · Sep 17, 2026
Snapshot captured Oct 30, 2026. Recorded figures, not live metrics. Active: activity within 90 days of the snapshot. Quiet: within a year. Dormant: longer.
05 / Parts & kits
A head start.
Maker-listed sellers only. No affiliate links or paid placement.
MAKER’S COST
Not documented
No cost in the reviewed sources.
Kit availability is not documented in our reviewed sources.
06 / Side by side
Compare with other other robots.
Other other robots in the directory, most recently active first. Same sources, same rules.
| Robot | Cost | Open files | Can I sell it? | Runs on | Maintained | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| openBrushographThis robotDominik Mahnic | Not documented | 1 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW CERN-OHL-S-2.0 · SW not documented | ESP32Arduino | ActiveOct 15, 2026 | 28 |
| Aria Art Plottergustavomayoral | Not documented | 4 of 6 | Yes, with creditHW CERN-OHL-S-2.0 · SW GPL-3.0 | ArduinoPython | Not documented | — |
| HsiwuRobusr | Not documented | 4 of 6 | YesHW MIT License · SW not documented | Not documented | Not documented | — |
| Snapbot V2.0uiuckimlab | Not documented | 4 of 6 | Check firstHW not documented · SW not documented | Not documented | Not documented | — |
| This robotopenBrushograph | Aria Art Plotter | Hsiwu |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| Can I sell it? | ||
| Yes, with credit | Yes, with credit | Yes |
| Open files | ||
| 1 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Runs on | ||
| ESP32, Arduino | Arduino, Python | Not documented |
| Maintained | ||
| ActiveOct 15, 2026 | Not documented | Not documented |
Upkeep is measured against each robot’s own snapshot. Costs keep the maker’s scope, so check what each figure covers.
See them in the table07 / Follow the evidence
Open books.
Repository files are pinned to commit a732d9a. Websites and papers are listed with their review dates.
- 01README.md at a732d9aReviewed Oct 30, 2026
- 02LICENSE at a732d9aReviewed Oct 30, 2026