There is so much talk about a controller.
Is a controller absolute requiered?
When it comes done to build the base and convert the printer there is no need to buy any thing from Jeff because the videos are so much detailed that one can not fail following them.
No a controller is not required, there are many ways to utilize the base! 1. you would have to modify the base to accept friction drive like the old style Dozer,or 2. you can use a belt system also by mounting the original drive unit in the rear, coupling a pulley to the original shaft. 3. go fancy and use a clutch coupling in addition between pulley and encoder, this method is used on a lot of early generation dtgs running the original motor. also can be run in roll mode in combination to those ideas by locking it into roll and removing the asf unit which it doesn't use in roll mode if you have a higher end printer.. many many many ways to utilize it with the same mods that are years old here- dig thru and you will find it will need some cable extensions to achieve. you would also need a relay switch type system that's also been floating around in here for years to operate. Its not as robust as a controller unit with stepper but it will work as proven in the past. The videos are a huge free value on both the printer conversion and base building. The truth is no one that sells this stuff likes to see these free videos on the process because it affects their bottom line for those that have skills/instructions to build their own. there is no other reason to dispute them and everyone has the same opportunity here to post their own!
As far as a controller is concerned if you do a search here on the forum you will see i started experimenting with micro controllers in 2010. I abandoned posting on the forum because of the associated cost not fitting with the forum guidelines amongst other reasons. that said i have completed automation on these machines for many years but only posted on manual operated dtgs on the forum. There are many levels of automation! the most basic system uses 2 proximity sensors, one at each end of the travel length of platen. A basic start/stop reference so there is not a lot of logic needed to control these, they can work on the basic arduino chip. the disadvantages of the arduino is it runs on low frequencies with high overhead ie it cant process advanced logic/controls/functions quickly simultaneously like the industrial micro controllers- It works great as a basic controller with limited function. Then you have industrial micro controllers that run on high frequencies that can process, control multiple functions simultaneously very quickly for an all inclusive control system, you can also incorporate advance features using only one proximity switch, this requires much more brain and logic to read positions without the second proximity switch. All that said the micro controller/processor is only one component of a control system. (think of computer processors and their different levels of power) The controller requires other components to complete the operation completely there is many ways to process all the control -systems vary in function, type, operation theories. Speak with any professional programmer or electronic engineer to verify the difference in micro processors. I so itched to post up how to do a basic arduino system with this non-sense going on but out of respect for the guys like dragonknight,mikistromar,john2880, and others whose lively hood depends on it i refrained! Its hard but they put in the time, effort, cost, shared, and i respect that! Basic system only requires reading and understanding basics of electronics, arduino has workshops.. I also suggest you read John2880's post, he gives some solid advice on how to achieve the goal.
The plan with the base was to create something very robust that anyone could build or have built very economically and simple- essentially taking the profit margin out of the base! that was successful and is truly what all the fuss is about here! One more step for someone to complete then it will finally be the end of it all--> Im sure it wont be long before a diy member posts on a basic arduino control system, that will a fantastic day! At that point there will be nothing left to profit on for the guys looking for basic control systems. you will see the biggest magic trick here ever, the disappearing act of those merely after personal gain! cant wait
