Open Printer

https://www.crowdsupply.com/open-tools/open-printer

I've been looking for something like this for a long time! Unfortunately I don't yet see how ink could be supplied, and as @pojntfx points out, the chosen CC license would make establishing a sustainable ecosystem difficult...

@buherator

Love the idea but having gone color laser many years ago I can't imagine going back to ink?

@pojntfx

Oh the Technical Specifications on the vendor page lists HP cartridges and something called Inkit (maybe https://inkit.se ?) for ink:

https://www.opentools.studio/

Maybe @rayckeith can clarify?

@troed I go to print shops because I refuse to maintain any commercially available printer, so literally anything that works would be step-up for me.

from what I understand you need to use the print head from specific models, repurposing them for the open printer design.

hence this being listed under specs:

“Printhead compatibility: HP 63 (US), HP 302 (Europe)

Ink cartridges: use only one (black or color) or both (black and color), refillable”

looking forwards to building one

@npub1jj9u5wlpm7427u6y65ytqrpwcq9taqjk34v9apxjjfytt9tdm5ks9snhpx @pojntfx So you'd source a print head from scrap and use HP's cartridges for ink?

@buherator fwiw I've found Brother Laser printers to just work, compatible with all my platforms. No weird drm-crap either.

@troed Thanks for the tip! Wasn't there some shitshow around them lately too though?

Anyway, I've been specifically wanting a somewhat open printer to be available - it's insane that you can 3D print, analyze high freq signals, etc. with open options, yet putting ink on paper is still a challenge (precision manufacturing, ink chemistry, etc.)!

@buherator There were some claims that they had introduced drm on ink-cartridges in a software update but I don't think it was confirmed and Brother denies it.

Fully agree with you how weird it is when compared to 3D printing!

https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Brother_printers_causing_issues_with_third_party_inks&_quality_sabotage=#

@troed Thanks for the additional info! Pulling old firmware stinks bad, even if this particular incident was a result of a random bug.