[marketingPro]

If this topic turns out to be the start of a FOSS, I'll join as a (senior) design engineer.

Find one that doesn't have a patent and reverse engineer it.

I imagine the first/original control system was extremely difficult to develop. But since the technology already exists you can reverse engineer it.

After that, you pay a supplier to make parts. In my experience, these suppliers will end up redesigning to match better with their process, but still meets critical specifications.

I'd post my contact info, but I believe I'm targeted by an HN mod.

[webmaven]

> Find one that doesn't have a patent and reverse engineer it

At this point, it would be better to start looking at expired (and about-to-expire) patents. A circa Y2k printer would be a perfectly acceptable design, IMO.

[marketingPro]

I completely agree. But given I got 4 downvotes for offering to contribute to a FOSS, seems like demand is low.

[InitialLastName]

I'd be willing to bet you got those downvotes for an unverifiable and unlikely allegation that an HN mod is currently targeting you.

Glancing back through your posts, I see pretty clear reasons why people would have downvoted your gray ones.

[andrewflnr]

Do you think I need to be an HN mod to downvote you? I don't.