Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

OpenPrinter

opentools.studio

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

121–130 of 299 posts

Re: OpenPrinter

#121

Post by tjohns »

ehnto wrote: post #117
tjohns wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the technology side, I'm somewhat hopeful because it looks like they're using off-the-shelf HP ink cartridges for this. HP cartridges embed the printhead into the cartridge itself, and that printhead is arguably the most complicated part of the entire device. Outsource the printhead, and you're just designing a plotter with a PCL interface. I agree that the bigger challenge is going to be patents. It also wouldn't…

The crowdsource page says it has refillable ink tanks rather than cartridges. Unless they are modifying HP cartridges, which is probably not smart from a legal standpoint.

The tech specs say it uses HP 63 cartridges (or HP 302/803 outside the US), and that the cartridges can be refilled using a refill kit.

The photos clearly show HP cartridges installed.

Re: OpenPrinter

#122

Post by culi »

zerobees wrote: post #69

I think the top-ranking comment about complexity is off base: they're not inventing inkjet printing from scratch. It's basically a bunch of existing modules in a new package, presumably with the promise that you will not need to buy subscriptions or DRMed ink cartridges. Is robustness and reparability a compelling pitch? If I'm counting right, I owned eight different printers in my life. Dot matrix, dye sublimation,…

The most compelling argument for me is this:

https://www.eff.org/pages/list-printers-which-do-or-do-not-d...

Re: OpenPrinter

#123

Post by culi »

VorpalWay wrote: post #4

This is interesting, but it seems to be a crowdfunding campaign only. I wish them the best of luck (the cause is worthy for sure), but buyer beware at this point. (I myself don't 2D print enough that an ink based printer makes sense for me. Ink tends to dry, so for me a laser printer that can sit for months at a time makes more sense. I use the scanner as well as my 3D printer far more often.) I wonder how they will…

Unfortunately they mainly use Discord and Instagram. They post updates on Instagram regularly but are quite active on Discord and often ask for community feedback there and post updates there as well. I've been closely following them for a few months

The printer surveillance is my main draw to this project. EFF basically came to the conclusion that all Western printers likely have some sort of surveillance like that. I've confirmed with them on the Discord that they are not required to implement any such surveillance

Re: OpenPrinter

#124

Post by culi »

cwillu wrote: post #32
einpoklum wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The license doesn't apply to the things you print with it. Are you miffed by the restriction on you selling derivative open printers?

Yes, because that's the thing that makes it open and able to survive the death or corruption of the entity holding the copyright.

The blueprint will be open source and you could technically build it yourself if you have the patience. They are quite proud of how few parts are actually involved in it

Re: OpenPrinter

#125

Post by bri3d »

tjohns wrote: post #14
HelloUsername wrote: post #2

Interesting comment from last time this was posted https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48093670 Inkjet printing requires orders of magnitude more engineering expertise, materials science, industry experience and financial resources than most people imagine. That is the reason, open inkjet printers don't exist despite having been consumer products with the same drawbacks for more than forty years. That is why this is…

On the technology side, I'm somewhat hopeful because it looks like they're using off-the-shelf HP ink cartridges for this. HP cartridges embed the printhead into the cartridge itself, and that printhead is arguably the most complicated part of the entire device. Outsource the printhead, and you're just designing a plotter with a PCL interface. I agree that the bigger challenge is going to be patents. It also wouldn't…

Impression v. Lexmark is directly relevant to the patent situation here; in a case involving reprogrammed ink cartridges, the Supreme Court held that patent rights are exhausted by first sale doctrine; that is, if you sell me something patented, you can't sue me for patent infringement for using the thing you sold me, even if I do something later that makes you upset.

It's also been widely held that ink cartridge compatibility tools/hacks are allowed under DMCA.

However, it does seem likely that there's probably some shenanigan involved in the area - one example I could think of would be if HP have patented the way the ink cartridges are retained in the printer, for example, that would have to be carefully audited. And there will be license and trade secrets issues with the use of the cartridges, although if they were reverse engineered cleanly and the printer doesn't come with cartridges, those are probably pretty easily side-stepped.

Re: OpenPrinter

#126

Post by RecycledEle »

tw04 wrote: post #118
tjohns wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the technology side, I'm somewhat hopeful because it looks like they're using off-the-shelf HP ink cartridges for this. HP cartridges embed the printhead into the cartridge itself, and that printhead is arguably the most complicated part of the entire device. Outsource the printhead, and you're just designing a plotter with a PCL interface. I agree that the bigger challenge is going to be patents. It also wouldn't…

Why would they bother? They make all their money on the ink cartridges. If this drives more cartridge sales it’s a win/win for them. They generally don’t make much, if anything, on consumer ink jet printers themselves

> Why would they bother?

Many corporate and government types, especially lawyers, want control. They will go broke trying to control everyone and everything.

Re: OpenPrinter

#129

Post by extraduder_ire »

culi wrote: post #122
zerobees wrote: post #69

I think the top-ranking comment about complexity is off base: they're not inventing inkjet printing from scratch. It's basically a bunch of existing modules in a new package, presumably with the promise that you will not need to buy subscriptions or DRMed ink cartridges. Is robustness and reparability a compelling pitch? If I'm counting right, I owned eight different printers in my life. Dot matrix, dye sublimation,…

The most compelling argument for me is this: https://www.eff.org/pages/list-printers-which-do-or-do-not-d...

Are any of those printers inkjets? I think tracking dots are strictly a laser printer thing.
Post reply on HN