Re: 3D printing, powder spreading

laserted007 - could you give us some more details ? Maybe a picture ?
What make of printer is and What ink are you using ? ( original
HP/Epson inks ? )

I have found some while ago 2 links about modified inkjet printers :
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb/etch/directinkjetresist.htm
http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb/etch/cx4200-vs.htm
The second one contains also a small schematic and source code for
fulling the printer that is working with normal paper.
I think that this could be used as a start and to this could be added
the Z axis.

Are 2 questions remaining until we can experiment :
1. what ink could/should be used ? (I think that epson is better for
testing because it's using piezo technology and it accept a wider
range of inks. it has by default an ink which is water resistant).
2. what powder and hardening agent should be used ? and I think that
this is the key for experiment success.

Maybe we can buy original consumables from Zcorp ? I wonder if they
are selling consumables even if you aren't a printer buyer.

Daniel

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "laserted007" <thyde@...> wrote:
>
> Graham -
>
> Yup, it really is a roller, and you guessed it right, it is spinning
> (for the case of most of the line of printers), in a counter clockwise
> direction, and "snowplows" the powder up (G&P Stainless, about 7/8"
> dia and sounds like 200 RPM). It works remarkably well. The build
> platform (right-hand bin) lowers approx 0.035" - 0.05" per layer,
> depending on the powder type, and the feed bin (left side) raises a
> touch more usually around 0.075" (that's an inferred number, not
> actually measured). The most important part of that setup is the
> overflow drop chute on the far right-hand side of the build bin...any
> "extra" powder gets dropped into a catch for reuse.
>
> The "particular" 3DP printers I am familiar with use a lot of embedded
> computing power in the printer to slice and print. My proto/hobby
> version uses a recycled USB inkjet printer with the work being done by
> Rhino and ArchCut (was Materialize RP, but I can't justify the cost
> for this project) that generates a series of b/w solid JPEGS, that are
> then streamed to the printer....the end of travel triggers paper out
> and then the Z-increment functionality and powder reset. Why someone
> hadn't put this type of control to market is beyond me - it would
> essentially make an RP printer (despite how messy the powder gets) for
> every desktop, probably for less than $1000...instead of $18,000....