My 3D printer software done

I've completed the software to read and render Rhino SLC files to the
screen or printer. I would happily upload them to the file area in a
3D Printer folder if I could get access.

Now that the software is done (or at least working) I am going to
start on the hardware. I'm planning on hacking a new $39 HP D2430. Its
guts look similar to the one that Graham is using. My initial plan was
to use Lexmark printers but they have a couple of problems like the
use of stepper motors for paper feed and their mounting system is
vertical making it much more difficult to deal with than the HP's.

I have concerns with using these "el cheapo" printers for much more
than a proof of concept. The are very lightly built and their
cartridges are not well suited to high volume printing. If this proof
works out I would like to build one based on an Officejet PRO printer.
The high end models use the same parts as HP's industrial OEM
printers. HP offers high capacity tanks for them and the print heads,
even though they are not part of the cartridge, only cost in the range
of $50 and are drop in.

See < http://www.hp.com/oeminkjet/products/1000/overview.html>. I have
asked them for prices but I'm not very hopeful.

Wil keep you posted.

Roger