OpenPrinter: A Repairable and Open-Source Inkjet Printer

OpenPrinter: A Repairable and Open-Source Inkjet Printer

OpenPrinter is a compact, robust inkjet printer designed for longevity and repairability, aiming to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional consumer printers. It features a refillable ink system, support for multiple paper formats, and an open-source hardware approach to reduce electronic waste and consumer lock-in.

Key Hardware Features and Versatility

OpenPrinter prioritizes flexibility in both form factor and media handling to fit various workspace needs.

Flexible Paper Handling

OpenPrinter supports both standard sheets and continuous paper rolls. Users can choose between:

  • Standard Sheets: Support for A4, A3, Letter, and Tabloid formats.
  • Paper Rolls: Support for rolls 29.7 cm (wide) for European formats and 11 inches (wide) for North American formats, with lengths up to 37.5 meters.
  • Integrated Cutter: The device includes an integrated cutter to facilitate the creation of banners, strips, and customized formats.

Compact and Modular Design

Designed to be the most compact printer/plotter on the market, the device can be placed on a desk or mounted to a wall using a dedicated wall kit. The physical dimensions are 497 ” 233 ” 111 mm (19.5 ” 9.2 ” 4.4 in).

Technical Specifications and Connectivity

The printer is built using standard and open-source components to ensure that parts can be replaced or 3D-printed by the user.

Core Components

  • Main Board: Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • Cartridge Board: STM32 microcontroller
  • Display: 1.47-inch TFT LCD (172 x 320 px)
  • Power: 24V DC

Connectivity and Software

OpenPrinter uses an open-source print server (CUPS), making it driver-free and compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Connectivity options include:

  • USB Type-C for computer connection
  • USB Type-A for flash drive/storage support
  • Wi-Fi 802.11ac (AirPrint compatible)
  • Bluetooth 4.1

Print Quality

  • Black and White: 600 dpi
  • Color: 1200 dpi

Ink System and Cost Reduction

OpenPrinter addresses the common "ink trap" of consumer printers by removing DRM and allowing flexible cartridge use.

Refillable Cartridges

The printer uses widely available HP cartridges (HP 63/63 XL in the US, HP 302/302 XL in Europe, and HP 803/803 XL in Asia). These cartridges are refillable using the "Inkit" provided by Open Tools, which includes 100ml ink bottles and refill tools.

Independent Cartridge Operation

Unlike many commercial printers that block printing when a single color is empty, OpenPrinter allows users to operate cartridges independently. Users can print using only the black cartridge, only the color cartridge, or both.

Community Insights and Technical Critique

Discussion among technical users on Hacker News highlights several points of contention and praise regarding the project's viability.

Concerns Over Inkjet Complexity

Some critics argue that inkjet technology is inherently difficult to maintain, noting that print heads frequently clog if not used regularly. One user noted:

Inkjet printing requires orders of magnitude more engineering expertise, materials science, industry experience and financial resources than most people imagine... An inkjet printer is not a collection of off the shelf parts.

Licensing and "Open Source" Definition

Several users pointed out that the project is distributed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. Because this license includes a "Non-Commercial" (NC) restriction, some contributors argue that it does not meet the strict definition of open source.

Hardware Dependency

Critics noted that while the frame and boards are open, the project still relies on proprietary commercial print cartridges that contain the actual print-head. This means that if the print-head clogs or the production of those specific HP cartridges ceases, the user remains dependent on a third-party manufacturer.

Praise for Form Factor

Users praised the inclusion of a paper roll option, which is seen as a significant advantage for creative projects and non-standard print sizes.

Availability

OpenPrinter is currently in a pre-order phase via a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdsupply. The project team has stated that open-source files will be shared once the final version of the product is ready to ensure consistency and prevent malfunctions.

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