2 ms·
Even though I disagree with the notion of software changes nullifying a hardware warranty, that is a cute way to do it that I’ve never seen before.
by Lammy 5y ago
Even though I disagree with the notion of software changes nullifying a hardware warranty, that is a cute way to do it that I’ve never seen before.
- sschueller 5y agoUsually software can't easily destroy a device like a network switch. However on a 3d printer you can burn the whole unit into ash if you remove overheat protections. You may also be able to destroy stepper motors or drivers.
- gjsman-1000 5y agoAnd this isn't even theoretical. Buggy 3D Printer Software has literally burned people's homes down in the past.
- mschuster91 5y agoThat's really bad design then. Any design worth its salt should incorporate a thermal soft-fuse at the heater element that cuts power off if the printhead ever goes above the maximum temperature that any filament can handle. Pure software interlocks are not sufficient. One might think people would have learned a lesson, nearly half a decade after Therac-25.
- germanier 5y agoLast time I looked into this, there are no fuses in the required range available and I'm not sure they can be produced without significant R&D investment.
- leoedin 5y agoIn the embedded world, software can absolutely destroy hardware in all sorts of ways. I've done it many times. Loading untrusted firmware onto a PCB with high current outputs - like motor control - should absolutely void your warranty (for that PCB and anything connected downstream of it).