Open Source Machines, Salvage Electronics

EricLovesBA

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I have recently become intrigued with some open source projects which might fill some niche needs here for fabrication. This can be a fairly broad open topic, but there are some specific subjects which have caught my eye:

Open source 3d printing (RepRap)
Open source cnc routers
DIY Thin Film Deposition

My background is in programming and some minimal hobbiest experience in electronics, (specifically experiments with the PIC Microchip controller).

I was curious if anyone here on the board might have ideas floating around for these types of projects, for example producing these machines or producing something with these machines, anything from furniture, art, gadgets, etc, to something more fulfilling, such as windmills, solar, or aeroponic systems.


Also, I'm interested in attempting to salvage guides, controllers and stepper motors from old printers and scanners. (yes, I'm aware the quality will not be very good for 3d printing). Does anybody know of a graveyard of very old electronic equipment? The old beige flatbed scanners and dot matrix printers would be best, and ideally I'd like to get this junk for free or very very cheap. Any sources for this stuff? Where do the cartoneros take this kind of stuff?

Here are some links in case you're interested in any of these topics:

RepRap 3d printer:
http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

Open Source cnc router examples:
http://blog.ponoko.c...nd-router-kits/

A thin film mad scientist at work:
http://www.youtube.c...iew=0&flow=grid

Example of the open source dream taken to it's ultimate conclusion
http://opensourceecology.org/index.php

Even if you have no technical background, feel free to comment in general on the idea of Open Source machine technology, and how you think it might flourish here, or be useful to generate income or enhance quality of life, or not, and if so, specifically what niche it might fulfil. It seems to me that Argentina is fairly weak in technology, but strong on the type of cooperation that this paradigm requires.
 
Hey,
I am on the same track

http://baexpats.org/topic/24511-welding-class-in-capital-federal/page__hl__welding

Am currently taking a free welding class in boca.... Starts in a week

Visited guia permaculture farm in navarro arg two weeks ago...

Some bad news....
The founder of open source ecology personally visited the place... Last year..looking to teach class or partner up...
Didn't work out because of economics of project is more expensive than a cheap Chinese tractor......


I'm still interested in persuing project... In Uruguay..... After I get my training / parts in Arg...





Pm me... Wanna meetup
Steve
 
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