A little while ago Bracken printed a 3D printer extruder body in exchange for the donation of an old PC-controlled engraving machine. The mechanics of which are in fine condition, and really quite high quality, using tensioned wire instead of those nasty toothed belts for smooth movement.
What we didSo, we stripped it away from the ancient control electronics dripping in legacy interfaces and proprietary software, and left just the mechanics and motors bare. With the addition of the RAMPS 1.4 Arduino shield (and the Arduino below) is all that will be needed to run modern USB-connected open source tools.
Whilst this is designed as an engraver, there is a stepper motor controlled Z axis, albeit with somewhat limited travel, so this could be used for very small and precise CNC operations, or just as a training platform.
Possible applications are, PCB milling (traces as well as slotting, edging, parting and drilling operations) plastics and wood shaping, engraving and so on.
It is envisioned that this project will use entirely standard firmware and application code, so is primarily a hardware construction and wiring job, with some software bring up and debug.
Volunteers please! This should be quite simple to get going!
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