Printer question

[Blackhawk]

I hear printers are a good source for parts, what's good to salvage from this unit? I am converting my lathe and mill to cnc.

lanham

 

[RandyM]

Start tearing it down, you'll know it when you see it.

 

[DMS]

The motors inside are likely not powerful enough to run a CNC machine, but could be useful for something like a reprap, or hot wire cutter. Many printers have guide rods and bearings that are of superb accuracy. If you fiddle around with electronics/robotics, grab the motors, and possibly the encoders if you can rip them out without too much effort. Overall, I would say, crack it open, and see what looks interesting/useful.

 

[rogerrabbit]

I took an old scanner apart to use for cnc/3d printer. Parts I kept where: guide rods, stepper motor, various ribbon cables and connectors (real handy), the glass, bearings, idler pulley and the toothed belt from the motor.

hth,
Roger

 

[Hoooooter]

Some printers have some very nice precision shafts and bearings. Then there are belts and gears etc - all very useful

 

[12bolts]

Lotsa plastic gears, a multitude of springs in all different sorts of configurations....
And when you are done pulling it apart it will take up 3 times the size of what it is now!

Cheers Phil