We love Lego here at Geeky Gadgets, and we have featured a number of cool creations built using Lego. The latest one is this amazing Lego Felt Tip Printer.
This incredible printer was built from scratch, and everything was designed to make it work, including the code. Check out the video of it in action below.
“Lego felt tip 110” printer connected to an Apple Mac. This is not a kit you can buy and does not use mindstorms. I designed/built/coded it all from scratch including analog motor electronics, sensors and printer driver, the USB interface uses a “wiring” board.”
Building the Lego Felt Tip Printer
The Lego Felt Tip Printer is a testament to creativity and engineering prowess. The creator meticulously designed and assembled each component, ensuring that the printer could function seamlessly. Unlike many other Lego projects, this one does not rely on pre-made kits or the popular Lego Mindstorms system. Instead, it uses custom-built analog motor electronics and sensors, showcasing the builder’s deep understanding of both hardware and software.
The printer’s mechanics are driven by a series of motors and gears, all constructed from standard Lego pieces. The felt tip pen, which serves as the printer’s “ink,” is mounted on a movable carriage that can traverse the X and Y axes. This allows the printer to create detailed images and text on paper, much like a traditional inkjet printer.
Technical Details and Challenges
One of the most impressive aspects of this project is the custom code written to control the printer. The builder used a “wiring” board for the USB interface, which acts as the bridge between the printer and the Apple Mac. This board interprets the signals from the computer and translates them into movements for the printer’s motors and sensors.
Creating the printer driver was no small feat. The code had to account for the precise movements required to produce accurate prints. This involved calibrating the motors to ensure they moved the pen to the correct positions on the paper. Additionally, the sensors had to be fine-tuned to detect the pen’s position and adjust its movements accordingly.
The analog motor electronics were another critical component. These electronics control the speed and direction of the motors, allowing for smooth and precise movements. The builder had to design these circuits from scratch, ensuring they could handle the demands of the printer’s operations.
Despite the challenges, the end result is a fully functional Lego Felt Tip Printer that can produce impressive prints. The project demonstrates the incredible potential of Lego as a medium for engineering and innovation.
Very cool, definitely one of the coolest Lego creations we have featured on Geeky Gadgets.
via Geekologie
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