TRAX: The Low-cost Circuit Printer
Princeton University Undergraduate Thesis
Seeing the disruptive effect 3D printing had in democratizing hardware, I began my Princeton undergraduate thesis design project with self-imposed constraints: design an accessible educational tool for learning circuits that could be built for under $300. I combined open-source hardware and software with new conductive ink technology to develop a minimalist circuit printer with which beginners could learn circuit prototyping. TRAX the low-cost circuit printer was a model for how to open the traditionally high-barrier field of electronics to future creators that will shape hardware innovation. I was granted the Bradley Dickinson Award for System Design by my department for outstanding complex electronic systems design and implementation. Through creating TRAX, I realized my passion for empowering people with technical solutions by exploring new possibilities with limited resources.
Prototyping using Piccolo Open Source CNC Machine Design
Chassis CAD Model — Creo
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5fd2600eaf5233226da4b90c/5fd83e6eedc8c8ccbe4871c1_TRAX5.png)
Custom Electronics Design using Arduino UNO
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5fd2600eaf5233226da4b90c/5fd83e73be574a9a0dde24b7_TRAX6.png)
User Interface
Using open source software G-code wrapper for Inkscape, a free vector drawing program
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5fd2600eaf5233226da4b90c/5fd83e6fca57d5cee08c041e_TRAX10.png)
Materials
Much of the chassis was made out of laser cut acrylic to keep the cost down
![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/5fd2600eaf5233226da4b90c/5fd83e6eacc9254e2f929500_TRAX7.jpg)
Finished Product
Conductive ink is dispensed to form the circuit traces (or "tracks"), and then components are manually installed using conductive ink