As I've gotten back into #pcgaming , I've been on a kick of getting some of my old games running on my current #Windows10 laptop. I have quite a few classics on #CDROMs from the #90s - #00s.

Since my #GPDWinMax #gaminglaptop has no #CDdrive or #DVDdrive , I've been using my non-gaming laptop to burn the disks to #ISO files to then mount as a drive to run the installer and game.

Of course, most of these go back to ~ #WindowsXP compatibility, so they won't play nice with Windows 10 out of the box (BTW, compatibility mode *never* works for me- if anyone has ever had luck with it running older software on Windows 10 that way, do let me know!). I either had to use #voodoo library files to fix issues like the video only being half displayed (or sideways!) or running the application file in #DxWnd.

Granted, some of these games are available on modern options like #GoG or #Steam , but hey, I paid for the games already. Why pay again if I can get my own copies to work? 🤣

Robotic Hand Uses Old CD-ROM Parts

Robotic arms and actuators are compelling things to watch, and as popular among the maker set as they are crucial to modern industry. [kthod2000] built a design of their own, which relies on parts salvaged from old CD-ROM drives.

The arm itself is constructed of many components which appear to be 3D printed, with three main motors visible along its length. These look to be the eject motors harvested from several optical drives, which usefully come with a threaded screw on the output shaft that makes them perfect for a linear-drive application. Run by a TMC2208 driver via a microcontroller, the eject motors control the motion of several stages of the robot arm as it moves up and down.

The intention seems to be that one of these three-tiered assemblies could act as a single finger. Ganged up multiple times, this could allow the creation of something akin to a full five-digit robot hand. [kthod2000] has also done plenty of work on the software side of things that handles controlling the arm. The kinematics can all be simulated on screen in concert with the real motion of the arm.

We've seen similar builds before, too, like this plotter built out of scrap DVD drives. They're a great source of quality electromechanical components for small projects, so it's no surprise to see them put to work here. Video after the break.

#robotshacks #cddrive #cdromdrive #cdrom #roboticarm

Mini Linear Actuators From DVD Drive Parts

For many years now a source for some of the smallest and cheapest home made CNC mechanisms has been the seemingly never-ending supply of surplus CD and DVD-ROM drives. The linear actuator that moves the laser may not be the longest or the strongest, but it's free, and we've seen plenty of little X-Y tables using CD drives. It's these mechanisms that [Nemo404] has taken a little further, freeing the lead screw and motor from the drive chassis and placing them in a 3D-printed enclosure for a complete linear actuator that can be used in other projects. (Video, embedded below.)

There seems to be no positional feedback, not even the limit switch that would grace a typical CD drive, but aside from that it makes for a compact unit. There are two versions, one for a linear bearing and the other for the brass bushes found in CD drives. It's unclear how strong the result is, but it appears to be strong enough to demonstrate lifting a small container of screws.

Should you need to make your own actuator then aside from the easy-to-obtain old CD drive the files can be found on Thingiverse. And introduce yourself to the world of CD drives for CNC machines by taking a look at this mill.

Thanks [BaldPower] for the tip!

#cnchacks #news #3dprint #cddrive #linearactuator

What's the best way to dump a CD into CUE/BIN on Linux?

#CD #CUE #BIN #Linux #CDDrive #Dump #Dumping #Archiving