Chumby Interface

Our ISP is becoming a distributer of the Chumby ( [chumby.com] ) and I was thinking that it would make a great control interface. It has quite a few distinct advantages.

1. it's open source
2. it runs linux
3. it's really cute.

My basic plan was to rip it out of it's case and install it into a acrylic or plywood laser cut box that housed all the other externals of the rep-rap/strap ( power supply , controller , etc ) parts. Add a slot for one of those multi-card readers that fits into a floppy drive slot.

TADA! a reprap that can run without a pc has wireless and has easy access to storage (flash) and network ( the chumby has wireless ).

I don't think it would have the grunt to process STL's into g-codes , but you just put ready to print files onto local storage ( or remote via wireless ).

a 320x240 full colour touch screen.

As an extra I would put a 40 pin ZIF socket on it so Microcontrollers could be flashed.

I have consulted with she who must be obeyed and have cut a deal.

She buys me one for Xmas and I buy her one. ( The sneaky bit is I'm going to buy two and put one into my repstrap. SSSSHHH.



Has anyone else looked and a Mini computer as a reprap interface/controller ?

Simon