EEVblog #1302 - Scrapping a Dumpster Laser Printer For Parts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2020, 11:58:28 pm
content: What usable parts can you get from a dumped high end office laser printer?

author: johnlsenchak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 01:42:40 am
content: Those laser dio-dee's aresex on the stick, you could do a complete video just on those units

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 12:42:37 pm
content: Be careful with the toner though. It is fine dust which can cause all kinds of nasty effects to your body.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 01:51:29 pm
content: If only there were enough hours in the day to actually do something with all the cool parts that we salvage out of dumpster finds...

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 02:14:41 pm
content: Let's not go there .... shall we?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 05:39:43 pm
content: Yep. It's astounding how many complex parts, plastic molds, bent pieces of metal go into those things. I can't even imagine how they design or manufacture them.What's this chip? It looks easy to salvage...I'd make a disco light from the pretty spinning mirror!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 07:55:21 pm
content: Quote from: SilverSolder on April 26, 2020, 01:51:29 pmChecking the parts bin.... Stepper motors from printers: check, mirror from copier: check, main servo for paper feed: check, clutch for paper feed: check. Need I go on with listing stuff I never used during the last decade? Writing this I start to doubt I'm really over my hoarding tendencies or that they are just slumbering.

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 08:36:08 pm
content: Thanks for the tear down. It's rather like opening up a beached whale, sad but very fascinating.The mirrors are the most usefull part in a laser printer, as they're optical grade and surface silvered. Repurposing ideas include; use on an optical bench to study quantum mechanics, build a light spectrum analyser, make a newtonian telescope, or make a simple periscope from a cardboard tube. With enough mirrors and scan prisms, one might contruct a steam punk chandelier. But that requires a lot of dumpster finds! I'm sure one day your young apprentices will build those stepper motors into their killer robot school project.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 02:51:07 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on April 26, 2020, 05:39:43 pmEEPROM most likely.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 04:39:28 am
content: Quote from: Syntax Error on April 26, 2020, 08:36:08 pmI do like the way you think.

author: aqarwaen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 09:17:15 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on April 27, 2020, 02:51:07 amit looks like u can remove it from socket..have you tried removing it and reading it with any eeprom reader?maybe you even erase it and reuse it somewhere?

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2020, 05:35:55 pm
content: I was going to say, it's probably a 555 timerAfter all, don't all good circuits use a 555?

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 05:36:36 pm
content: they have a lot of plastic gears as well as the laser opticsfront surface mirror and other goody's if your in to opticsstainless steel axles rubber rollers if you in to DIY robotics projectslatest generation electronic appliances has less and less to salvage IMO.did my own laser printer scrapping back in 2018found one abandoned in the street. better then all them common as mud, flat-panel displays, inkjet printers.

author: Carl E
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 09:59:35 pm
content: I'm Jealous.... I've been kicked out of my dump for dumpster diving. Threatened with subpoena if they catch me again. Enjoy your lucky days.

author: bluey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 09:53:29 pm
content: Spare parts from old printers saved up for retirement art project.Possibly the most useful would be turning the abs plastic into 3d printer filament. I presume people are doing this...