using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits I have 3 old imacs. I am trying to make my reprap with as little money as possible, so I want to figure out a way to use old computer electronics instead of paying for arduino kits. I believe if I can succeed at this, and post my results, it will help reprap go viral because it will attract people who like to make stuff out of old things for fun and environmental reasons, and it will make the reprap that much more accessible to people low on funds in this harsh economic climate. Old computers are widely available. I have joined the DIY community only recently so I am not too savvy yet with electronic hardware, nor do I have any real programming knowledge. From my research it appears to me whether this will work or not is all about the firmware on the hardware. If it can be removed, will the reprap firmware be compatible with the hardware? If it cannot be removed, is there away I can work with the firmware that is on it? Like can I add software on top of it or could the firmware itself work for the reprap applications? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104430#msg-104430 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 22:53:05 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104753#msg-104753 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104753#msg-104753
misan


]]> misan General Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:45:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104662#msg-104662 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104662#msg-104662 bryanandaimee General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:05:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104619#msg-104619 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104619#msg-104619 I made a topic for the extruder : [forums.reprap.org]
and for the extruder/bed controller : [forums.reprap.org]]]> Petrus General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:05:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104592#msg-104592 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104592#msg-104592 kyleeamonahern General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:15:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104589#msg-104589 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104589#msg-104589
Once I have one up and running I want to try to develope a generalized plan for salvaging as many parts as possible and post it on the internet. I think that's how a sizeable amount of the reprap community will develope in the future; mainly in poorer regions. Thanks a lot for your encouragement, much gratitude, and thanks to all others who have responded. I have found all the advice useful.]]> kyleeamonahern General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:59:10 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104587#msg-104587 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104587#msg-104587 -------------------------------------------------------
> o so there is no way to get around paying for all
> the electronics, i was hoping that i would be able
> to salvage everything from some old commodity and
> only have to pay for the printed parts, what a
> bummer

That's what I did :
[forums.reprap.org]

Almost everything is salvaged (steppers, stepper drivers, power supply, mechanics.

But it takes A LOT of time, I started the project on February and I only began to print some test cubes this week.
OK, it is not only a 3D printer but also a mini-mill, PCB engraver and lathe but that's still a lot of time.

Even if you don't start from scratch like me, I think you can find many components from old equipments like printers and scanners.
Old Epson printers have good NEMA17 steppers motors.
You can also find other parts like smooth rods, brass bushings, timed belts, timed pulleys, opto end stops, gears, springs for the leveling platform, glass for the bed...]]> Petrus General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:47:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104506#msg-104506 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104506#msg-104506 2) I wasn't the OP
the other two may be good points though.]]> se5a General Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:42:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104476#msg-104476 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104476#msg-104476
1) Power (you need more power than you can get from the bus)
2) Are your old computers so new the have PCIe?
3) The glue logic for handling the bus plus the PCB you need to create are more than $100.
4) The timing of a modern computer is not as predictable as a small microcontroller (you may end up having trouble even if you succeed all the former).

Of course, it still can be done, but it will cost you more time and money that the alternatives (even if you succeed which is uncertain).

That's my two cents,

misan]]> misan General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:08:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104472#msg-104472 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104472#msg-104472 se5a General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:09:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104449#msg-104449 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104449#msg-104449 -------------------------------------------------------
> o so there is no way to get around paying for all
> the electronics, i was hoping that i would be able
> to salvage everything from some old commodity and
> only have to pay for the printed parts, what a
> bummer


You'd have to buy stuff anyway, unless you have old appliances that you can salvage five NEMA 17 motors from, and you happen to have M8 threaded and smooth rods and a large number of miscellaneous metric fasteners lying around (not to mention the extruder parts). If you're concerned about the price of the electronics, get this kit that includes a Sanguinololu board, four Pololu drivers, and all the endstops you'll need. It's a steal for $105, and you'll wind up with a perfectly good machine that uses standard electronics that people can help you debug and hack on.]]> Pointedstick General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:19:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104446#msg-104446 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104446#msg-104446 kyleeamonahern General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:09:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104438#msg-104438 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104438#msg-104438
You would have to programm all this functions on your own and solder an adapter between your computer and all the hardware/electronic bits you can't realize with the computer.

If your programming skills and electronics experience is low, then better buy a common electronic and try only to adapt the host software ...]]> VDX General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:08:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104437#msg-104437 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104437#msg-104437
Also, there will be no one size fits all solution. Every different computer would require a different process. Months of labor isn't worth the $30 for an Arduino.]]> Andrew Diehl General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:06:34 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104436#msg-104436 Re: using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104436#msg-104436
PCs do not have large numbers of GPIO (digital IO) pins (which are needed to control the motors and the heaters, and to read the end stops) or any analog IO pins (to read the temperatures). The nearest you will find to the digital IO is the parallel printer port.

So you will have to redesign your RAMPS (which gets attached to the arduino) and build it from scratch. That will cost more than buying a kit or a ready assembled unit.

David]]> davidgoodenough General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:03:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104430#msg-104430 using old computer electronics in place of arduino kits https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104430,104430#msg-104430
I have joined the DIY community only recently so I am not too savvy yet with electronic hardware, nor do I have any real programming knowledge. From my research it appears to me whether this will work or not is all about the firmware on the hardware. If it can be removed, will the reprap firmware be compatible with the hardware? If it cannot be removed, is there away I can work with the firmware that is on it? Like can I add software on top of it or could the firmware itself work for the reprap applications?]]> kyleeamonahern General Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:23:22 -0400