Summary of FROM PRINTER TO VINYL CUTTER
This article details how Abhishek Verma transformed a discarded inkjet printer into a functional DIY vinyl cutter. By repurposing the printer's existing gantry and feed mechanism, he replaced the original drive with a stepper motor using 3D printed adapters. The build incorporates a solenoid-based cutting blade actuator housed in custom-printed parts, controlled by an Arduino Uno equipped with a CNC GRBL shield. The project highlights creative reuse of internal components like the original PCB and connectors to create a device indistinguishable from a commercial product.
Parts used in the DIY Vinyl Cutter:
- Old inkjet printer
- Stepper motor
- 3D printed adapter plates
- Solenoid-based push/pull mechanism
- 3D printed housing for the blade
- Relay module
- Arduino Uno
- CNC GRBL shield
- Reused old PCB and connectors
Some might look at a cheap inkjet printer and see a clunky device that costs more to replace the ink than to buy a new one. [Abhishek Verma] saw an old inkjet printer and instead saw a smooth gantry and feed mechanism, the perfect platform to build his own DIY vinyl cutter.
The printer was carefully disassembled. The feed mechanism was reworked to be driven by a stepper motor with some 3D printed adapter plates. A solenoid-based push/pull mechanism for the cutting blade was added with a 3D printed housing along with a relay module. An Arduino Uno takes in commands from a computer with the help of a CNC GRBL shield.
What we love about this build is the ingenuity and reuse of parts inside the old printer. For example, the old PCB was cut and connectors were re-used. From the outside, it’s hard to believe that HP didn’t manufacture this as a vinyl cutter.
If you don’t have a printer on hand, you can always use your CNC as a vinyl cutter. But if you don’t have a CNC, [Abhishek] shares all the STL files for his cutter as well as the schematic. Video after the break.
Source: FROM PRINTER TO VINYL CUTTER
- What did Abhishek Verma see in the old inkjet printer?
He saw a smooth gantry and feed mechanism that served as the perfect platform to build his own DIY vinyl cutter. - How was the feed mechanism reworked?
The feed mechanism was reworked to be driven by a stepper motor using some 3D printed adapter plates. - What controls the commands for this build?
An Arduino Uno takes in commands from a computer with the help of a CNC GRBL shield. - Can I use my CNC as a vinyl cutter if I do not have a printer?
Yes, you can always use your CNC as a vinyl cutter if you do not have a printer on hand. - What resources does Abhishek share for those who want to build it?
Abhishek shares all the STL files for his cutter as well as the schematic. - Which specific component drives the cutting blade action?
A solenoid-based push/pull mechanism was added for the cutting blade. - Did the creator modify the original circuit board?
The old PCB was cut and connectors were re-used in the new design.
