Ideas on scanner motor

[Marc9118]

Hi, well after taking my scanner apart, someone gave me the idea of using the motor and the power supply as something for modding. How would I go about getting the scanner to move? If i'm not mistaken you control the scanner through the computer (http://www.internetowy.strefa.pl).. I just want to be able to movie it back and forth..

Thanks

[fobnicat]

I would guess that there is an output on the powersupply with a steady stream of power.. and an input into the motor that causes the motor to move.. i woudl guess that all the computer does it tell it when to send the power down an output that is not constantly hot (has power flowing) all you need to do is find the constant hot wire, or use one from your PSU in your computer (make sure the watts, volts ohms whatever[not really sure about all that stuff] are right) then add in a button or switch or whatever you want to use to casue the action of it moving.. say push the button and make it move.. add the button between the ever-hot wire and the power in on the motor.. push the button and BAM! Live action entertainment....

I know thats not alot of very good detail.. but its the best 2cent i have.. consiider it my 1cent :) good luck..

[Marc9118]

Thanks for the reply. Do you know of any actuall tutorials: http://szablony.freeware.info.pl/kurs.html on the internet that involves modding a scanner into a computer? I did a google search, but I came up with nothing. Lastly, maybe there is some kind of diagram availiable that will tell me what in the heck the parts that I need to know are on the scanner.

[fobnicat]

Alot of the parts you should just be able to eyeball... A gear has to be attached to a motor at some point and a motor should have power running to it.. If you are not sure, post up some photos and maybe we can help you...

[Crimson Sky]

There's a lot of factors that involve moving the motor/scanning assembly on that device...factors such as document size of scanning area (how far the arm travels)and resolution (the speed the arm travels alongthe document)

You would have to get all the parts wired up properly and then create some sort of custom TWAIN driver application to tell the scanner parts how to move and operate.

I'm not sure you can figure this out for a modding project by just eyeballing the parts--I could be wrong tho

[DaveW]

You would have to get all the parts wired up properly and then create some sort of custom TWAIN driver application to tell the scanner parts how to move and operate.

I've heard that TWAIN stands for 'Thing Without An Interesting Name'. Anyone heard otherwise? Cos it's funny as hell if it's true. Ah, geeks. We sure know how to make the in-jokes.

[fobnicat]

if there wasnt a driver to detail the document size woudlnt it just move to the end of the arm and the return? I dunno I could be in the other hemisphere about this..

[Rankenphile]

From PCMag.com (http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=TWAIN&i=53268,00.asp)

Definition of: TWAIN
(Technology Without An Interesting Name) A programming interface that lets a graphics application, such as an image editing program or desktop publishing program, activate a scanner, frame grabber or other image-capturing device.


lol, I never knew that. I've worked with scanners for the past 15 years and always wondered what the acronym stood for. lol.

[Crimson Sky]

hehe very cool..def a new one on me as well.

[Jetty_200]

lol thats hilarious...i like it, i like it alot. What are u doin' with this scanner arm???:D

[xmastree]

How would I go about getting the scanner to move? If i'm not mistaken you control the scanner through the computer.. I just want to be able to movie it back and forth..
I strongly suspect that if you try to use the components as they are, and the scanner driver program, it won't work since even if you can make the computer recognise that there's a scanner attached, once it starts moving there are signals it looks for, like a switch on the carriage. If it doesn't see the signal, it'll complain.

So, you need to control the motor. It will undoubtedly be a stepper motor. you can't just put a voltage aross it and expect it to turn. Steppers work by energising (usually) four fields in sequence, and the magnetic rotor follows the field.
Take a look here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepper_motor) for a better explanation.

If you still want to run with it, you will need a controller, and a program to control it, probably from the parallel port.

If you just want something to move back and forth, you're better off using a regular electric motor and gearbox from a model car or similar.