Recycling a laser printer

[chucketn]

I recently had a couple contract jobs to replace LaserPrinters with the requirement to remove the old printer. I swapped parts fromthe first 2 to make one functional for my shop, and stripped the parts donor. Istill have one left whole that I have not checked out, nor removed any partsfrom.
I have recovered sheet metal, screws, springs, gears (thatare the same modulus as my mini lathe), a couple of steppers, the power supply,and the laser.
I know what to do with most of it, but looking to thechampion scroungers here for ideas on the rest.
What can the laser be used for? The plastic from the case?The clutches?
Got to get the last one out of the box and check it out.

Chuck

 

[jwcnc1911]

How big are the ckutches? Could they be used in a model such as the Lanz Bulldog flame licker tractors?

 

[chucketn]

Not familiar with the model you mention. The clutches are 1.032" in dia. and 1.120" deep. They came with a gear on the shaft secured by a an e-clip or spring clip. They are marked Daiken 121K28511 Mca-26e 24v Dc Magnetic Clutch 24vdc .
Chuck

 

[jwcnc1911]

Hee is a fine example of the Lanz:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGXZxDsWmFc[/ame]

How do the clutches work? Based on speed or mechanically activated?

 

[chucketn]

The clutches are electromagnets, like solenoids. They operate on 12-24vdc.
Chuck

 

[Wizard69]

I'm wondering if there are any small rollers that can be used as small diameter contact wheels on a belt grinder.

I've often wondered if a laminator could be made out of the fused components. Over in the Yahoo Gingery forums, Rspraber (sp?) has an interesting way to do laser printed transfers to powder coated sheetmetal. It involves running the two parts through a desktop laminator several times. A fuser designed for the purpose, operating at the right temperature, might work better.

It might be worth salvaging the stepper driver chips if they are hardware you can find documentation for.

The paper trays could be a good place to store sand paper. You would need a few though.

In many printers you will find nice shafting that can't be replaced for similar money. Often the shafts are hard and stainless too. Maybe not good for motion control slides on that next CNC router but maybe useful in small model engines and other display mechanisms. Or use the shafts to make pistol cleaning kits.

I'm running out of steam here, poured a section of concrete walk way today, I will be stiff tomorrow! Honestly most of my salvaging has been dot matrix printers or inkjets so I'm probably missing something.

 

[skyline1]

wizard69

you are right about some of the shafting it makes great little punches and cutters, not quite as hard as tool steel but ideal for ali and brass and there are often some lovely little bearings in them.

Maybe we should start a forum section for us "scroungers, repurposers, and skip rats"

Regards Mark

 

[Cogsy]

One thing I discovered, here in metric Australia, I scored a couple of HP inkjets and they both had a pair of main shafts each (stainless maybe but I can machine it pretty easily) but they were spot on 5/16", not 8mm as I was expecting. Weird I thought.

 

[Wizard69]

wizard69

you are right about some of the shafting it makes great little punches and cutters, not quite as hard as tool steel but ideal for ali and brass and there are often some lovely little bearings in them.

They do seem to provide a good source of polished steel shafting. I don't know what the grade of steel is but it is certainly better than crap mild steel or structural steel.

Maybe we should start a forum section for us "scroungers, repurposers, and skip rats"

Regards Mark

Not a bad idea. Right now scrounging is the only way I can come up with parts for the little things.

 

[chucketn]

A Scroungers forum would be great. Members could post projects they've made from scrounged parts. Or maybe list stuff they have to trade or stuff they're looking for. I personally have a couple of treadmill PM motors, and frames, and a functioning Okidata B6300 laser printer, minus the toner cart.

Chuck

 

[skyline1]

Dead VCRs are another handy source of useful bits, some really nice little motors in them,

The dynamo in my turbine genset came from one and works a treat "in reverse" as it were.

Regards Mark