this post was submitted on 17 Mar 2025
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We need an open-source printer project. But apparently it's very difficult to do.
We actually don't need an entire Open Source Printer, just an open source controller. So you can buy $printer and then replace it's control board with an Open Source version. We're doing this already with things that weigh hundreds of pounds, spin at thousands of RPM, and literally contain explosions!
Gear heads (car people) are very familiar with this. There's at least three major, and many minor, Electronic Fuel Injection / Engine Management Systems out there that will allow you to strip the factory "brains" out of a car and replace them with stuff you can control / program yourself.
A printer is just an assembly of mechanical parts and there's no reason that an Open Source controller couldn't command them.