Salvaging Parts

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My interest in Robotics began when I decided to try and introduce some new interests to my Grandsons, in order to get them off their Play Stations and computer games. The idea was good but, to some extent, backfired -- I was hooked and can’t leave it alone now. I am still a bit of newbie, and have lots to learn. I have built two six-legged robots to date. For the next experiment I thought I would like to build a wheeled robot. When I started to look around for stepper motors, etc., I found the only source would cost about $100+. There are no surplus dealers around here, like you have in US. I had a couple of TECO printers and a old CITIZEN so I decided to sacrifice them for a good cause.
I thought other enthusiasts maybe be interested in my experiences looking for parts. You may see a machine going cheap and not know what it contains. The TECO printers were really good, containing two larger steppers and two smaller ones. That gave me two pair. The CITIZEN also had a couple of nice steppers with an encoder wheel attached (used these in the end to start the new project). After dismantling the three printers, I decided to pay the local tip (local dump) a visit. They have a recycling depot, as they call it, where you can purchase selected rubbish, that has been cast off by other people, for a minimal amount by offer. After wandering around I spotted a large floor model KONICA copier sitting in a corner (had just arrived in). Gave them an offer of $5, "It is yours" the TIPPY (trashman) said. Luckly I had some tools with me, so I set about to partly dismantle the copier to get it in the van. As you will see from the list below there was a mountain of parts in it. I had a couple of small SHARP copiers given to me, but these were a disappointment. I dismantled one. Parts yielded were one AC 1425 rev motor and a few micro switches. The second one I took to the tip. While dropping off the copier, I had another browse around the tip and I spotted a HP 660 Inkjet Printer on the bench. It appeared to be in new condition. I checked the ink cartridges and went to dicker on the price. "New machine", said the TIPPY, "dumped by dealer because it was faulty. Cost you $10". I made the deal, and got two new cartridges and a nice double ended shaft stepper. I would like to have two of these steppers with the double ended shaft, but haven’t been able to locate another dumped HP printer.


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Weeks went by and I acquired a few more odds and ends. An IBM electronic typewriter yielded four steppers. IBM Electric typewriters haven’t much to give. A very interesting piece of equipment was a syringe filling unit made by VICTOR Medical UK. It had a small stepper attached to a very nice 100:1, beautifully made, brass gear box. I have three of these. I picked them up at the local hospital. They were lying outside waiting to be dumped as they were obsolete (1988). Another interesting stepper was a small one out of a OKI Microline 182 this was built into the print head and was only 8mm thick and 40mm dia. A reversible gear train was mounted on one side and a encoder wheel and sensor built into the other. With the amount of junk I have accumulated I could just about go into the surplus market! Dot-matrix printers vary in price between $2 and $5. Some have two identical steppers, otherwise you have to buy two printers of the same model. Most steppers from printers have a pinion fixed to the shaft. They can easily be removed. First wrap a wet rag around the stepper to keep it cool, then heat the gear with a small torch, like the gas soldering irons, usually once it is hot enough the gear will drop off when held upside down. I made a small puller, but found I didn’t need it. When dismantling it is best to leave all the cables intact, especially servos motors, as they can be plugged in to the PCB after you get rid of the mechanicals. I use the TECO printer PCB to check out servos, by closing the micro switches the servos can be run continually or pulsed. Waiting on the bench is a Panasonic colour printer model KX P2124 with a LCD readout,(another five bucks) of stock. I am a bit reluctant to dismantle this one as it is in excellent condition, dumped from one of the local Colleges.

Below is a list of some of the equipment I dismantled.


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1. Citizen Printer about 1998 mislaid model no.: Two Minebea stepper motors with brass gears attached, one motor had an encoder Wheel attached. Two Opto switches.

2. TECO Printer: Two Servos - one large servo made by TECO, 8volts, 1.8 degrees, 400mA and a Small Minebea, 12volts, 1.8 degrees; 50 ohm coils; the TECO servos has a 6mm shaft Minebea 3mm shaft.

3. Microtech Scanner model "Scanmaster": Large Teco stepper, 12volts 1.8 degrees, 400mA, belts and pulleys attached; Very small stepper with belt drive; IR detector.

4. Large Konica copier floor model - Gold mine of parts.
· 300rpm geared motor.
· 1425 rpm motor with encoder wheel attached.
· 200rpm geared motor.
· FDK stepper with external gear train and small solenoid for reversing gears.
· Minebea stepper with external gear train.
· Large stepper, 4"diameter by 2" thick made by Japan.
· Servos, 24 Volts.
· Nippon Pulse Motors Servo 12volts.
· Large selection of nylon gears all sizes and shapes.
· Front control panel contained 80 yellow LED’s and 30 small switches.
· Selection of various Opto switches and IR detectors approx. 20.
· Small micro switches.



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5. Star L20 printer: Sanyo Denki square shaped stepper; Minebea stepper; Sensors and micro switches.

6. Small Sharp copier: Small AC moto,r 1425 rev; micro switches This was a disappointment. I had two didn’t bother with second one.

7. Victor Medical syringe filler: Small stepper attached to a nice gearbox with brass gears 100:1 ratio - 3x

8. Digi Teraoka shop scales model SM 40: Large stepper for barcode printer made by Teraoko 75mm long; 55mm diameter toothed belt pulley 6volts 1.8.

9. Another Digi scale: SM60 Stepper made by Teraoko; 55mm long 55mm diameter 6Volts.

10. Ishida shop scale: Stepper by Japan Servos Co., 12 volts, 30mm long 55mm diameter.

11. Citizen Swift 9 Printer: Two Sanyo 12volt Servos micro switches.

12. OKI Microline 182: One servo made by OKI, 35mm long 15mm diameter, 12volts 7.5 degrees; Small slim line servo, 8mm long, 35mmm diameter, double ended shaft reversible gear train,z encoder wheel attached.

13. OKI Copier: Two 120 Synchronous motors, one with gearbox the other with gear train size of average stepper motor.

15. IBM electronic printer: Four middle size servos with gears and other fittings.

16. IBM Electric typewriter: not much in these, one 1425 rpm motor quite; A few stays with clip on ends like the model servos fittings.

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