Teardown of the Cricut Maker Champagne ====================================== A low-cost CNC plotter ---------------------- The Cricut Maker seems to be a low-cost CNC plotter/cutter using cheap parts (servo motors, gears) but relying on a strong metallic frame. Most of the plastic parts are injection-molded but somehow standards. It does not use any ball bearing but some self-lubricating rings instead (for cost reduction). Main PCB breakdown ------------------ .. image:: _static/images/teardown/pcb-breakout.png :width: 800 :alt: Cricut Maker Champagne PCB breakout The above PCB breakdown is from a Maker Champagne and contains the following components: * A PIC32 micro-controller (**MCU**) * A set of DC motor drivers (**X/Y drivers**, **Head drivers**) * A set of JST connectors to X/Y motors (**X/Y motors** and **X/Y sensors**) * A power stage with regulators and a barrel jack connector (**Power**) * A USB female connector used as the main communication channel with the host (**Main USB interface**) * A connector for the cutting/tracing head (**Head conn.**) * A bluetooth low energy module (**Bluetooth module**) * A connector for the top LEDs and buttons PCB (**LEDs/buttons**) * A debugging/programming connector (not populated, **Debug/Prog**) PIC32 micro-controller ---------------------- This main PCB uses a PIC32MX-family micro-controller, namely a *PIC32MX470F512L*. This is a 32-bit MCU with up to 512 KB of Flash memory and 128 KB of SRAM. The datasheet is available `here <_static/documents/teardown/microchip-pic32mx470F512L.pdf>`_ Servo motors ------------ This Cricut Maker Champagne uses a set of servo motors using a quadrature encoder. The markings have been used to find out `the exact model used `_. .. image:: _static/images/teardown/servo-motor.webp :width: 400 :alt: "Johnson" HC385MG-based servo-motor This is basically a DC motor coupled with a quadrature encoder, which is less precise than a stepper motor (like a NEMA17). Bluetooth Low Energy module --------------------------- The Cricut Maker relies on a Microchip *RN4678* Bluetooth/Bluetooth LE module driven by a dedicated UART interface. **This module interface has not been totally reversed yet**. The datasheet of this module is `available here <_static/documents/rn4678.pdf>`_ Mechanical details ------------------ X axis is driven through a set of reduction gears coupled to a belt that drives the tool head. .. image:: _static/images/teardown/x-axis-mechanical.jpg :width: 600 :alt: Mechanical interface with the tool head (X axis) .. image:: _static/images/teardown/X-axis-reduction-gears.jpg :width: 600 :alt: X axis reduction gears The machine Y axis however, is driven only by a set of reduction gears and drive rollers. .. image:: _static/images/teardown/Y-axis-reduction-gears.jpg :width: 600 :alt: Y axis reduction gears