Introduction:
The History of the EggBot
An EggBot is a compact, easy to use art robot that uses two precise stepping motors to draw on the
surface of spherical and egg-shaped objects.
Motion control artist Bruce Shapiro (taomc.com) cre-
ated the original EggBot in the Spring of 1990 when he
first became fascinated with controlling stepper motors
from his computer, and needed some way of demonstrat-
ing just how powerful and interesting this capability can be.
The original design was motivated by simplicity: drawing on a
round object can be done with relatively simple mechanics.
And, since Easter was coming up, the obvious canvas was eggs.
The success of his experimental “eggbot” spurred him to build
bigger and more precise two-axis machines, which gradually
evolved into an educational tool.
In 2009, Bruce worked with his son Ben Trombley and Bri-
an Schmalz to turn the EggBot into a kit for home assembly,
which they showed off at that year’s Maker Faire. Brian, an
embedded-systems engineer, created the EggBotBoard (lat-
er, EiBotBoard) which connects the eggbot to the computer
over USB. Ben was then a recent Stanford computer science
graduate, and created the first version of our EggBot interface
for Inkscape.
In 2010 the EggBot team joined forces with Windell
Oskay and Lenore Edman of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories
to introduce a new “EggBot 2.0.” This kit featured a number
of design and material changes that made it more reliable and
easier to use.
Gradual refinements over the next couple of years yielded
the Deluxe EggBot kit. And, new accessories were introduced
such as a diamond engraving attachment and a kistka hot wax
dispenser.
In 2014, the team drew upon the lessons learned over several
years of making EggBot kits to make the finest EggBot ever:
The EggBot Pro. The Pro is built from CNC machined alumi-
num, with quick release adjustments, a ball-bearing tailstock
and a new, open geometry, for easier adjustments and better
visibility while printing.
An early EggBot.
EggBot kit, 2009
EggBot “2.0” kit, 2010
EggBot Pro, 2014
