InkShield
Description
Features
Compatible with Arduino and Arduino Mega
Uses only 5 user selectable pins
Stackable (up to 11 Inkshields on Ardunio, 15 on Mega)
On-board 20V boost converter for inkjet head
Accepts 9-12V input via optional power connector or from the Arduino Vin
Auxiliary input header offers support for other microcontrollers
Auxiliary output header supports an extension cable to the inkjet head
Power and Pulse activity LEDs
ISCP header and Reset button
All through-hole components
This will be the first official release location. For the most current information visit:
nicholasclewis.com/inkshield/
github.com/NicholasCLewis/InkShield
A production run of this project was successfully funded via a Kickstarter here: kck.st/oAGeza
Description of files:
InkShieldLibrary.zip - Regular Arduino Libraries/Examples (You should download the *NEW* version)
InkShieldLibraryNEW.zip - Regular Arduino Libraries/Examples (updated version - found a few bugs when finishing the Mega version)
InkShieldMegaLibrary.zip - Arduino Mega Libraries/Examples
InkShieldLiteLibrary.zip - Minimal Arduino Libraries/Examples
InkShieldPCB.zip - Kicad Schematic and PCB Layout
Instructions
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Yes, I found your web-page and read Theory. It's really answered to my questions. Of course, I will have some experiments to take more.
But one thing remains unclear to me - if I want to make InkShield with another printhead, whether it is real or just some printheads easily adapted to work with Arduino? I mean, I can't find any "Cartridge theory" for another printheads. It's commercial information, I think, but maybe you can suggest some solutions?
And I'm not see PDF...from where can I download it?
Hi!
Сonnecting printhead to arduino is a rich idea!
I have some questions and I wish to have similar thing.
I wonder, how did you know, how to control printhead? Am I right, thinking that it's not easy to find a specific control capabilities for printhead? Maybe, this is why you decided to use C6602 - it's not usual household thing? Can you tell me more about it?
Yes, I found your web-page and read Theory. It's really answered to my questions. Of course, I will have some experiments to take more.
But one thing remains unclear to me - if I want to make InkShield with another printhead, whether it is real or just some printheads easily adapted to work with Arduino? I mean, I can't find any "Cartridge theory" for another printheads. It's commercial information, I think, but maybe you can suggest some solutions?
And I'm not see PDF...from where can I download it?
What would it take to expand this to full CMYK/RGB? Also, do the carts have any problems with acetone?
I wonder if this could enable something like the powder-based 3D printers? The ink carts you use, can they be filled with a different ink solution pretty easily? Would love to see someone create the first open source binder-based 3d printer. Just wondering if you think it could be done with your shield?
Yes, that was some of the motivation behind this in the beginning. The ink seems like it would be easy to replace as there are holes on the top under the label.
You should look at these earlier projects I worked on: :)
http://www.thingiverse.com/thi...
I would love to try making a wire printer from this. As in, I am running say a 5v power wire in a project, so I type 5v+ into the device, and run my wire through it, and it has then the text running down the side of the wire! Would you be so kind as to try swiping your print head over a random normal wire and see if the ink sticks to the jacket of the wire?
Thanks!
I am very sorry about the delayed reply. I somehow missed the notification of the comment.
There are two issues I see with printing on wire.
The first is that I have not had much luck printing on plastic.
The second is that the print resolution is only 96dpi. This gives a reasonable font at 1/8" high letters but much smaller than that and I don't think it would very legible.
Would you be able to combine this with an optical (laser?) mouse in order to get hand-held, swipe-able printing?
Since the mouse finds your relative position compared to what it was, shouldn't it be doable?
License
More from nicholasclewis
Hi, it appears the InkShield is not compatible with 3.3V logic levels, due to the CD4067. What would it need to make the shield 3.3V compatible?
I guess that the HCT version of the 4067 would do it?
According to the datasheets both the CD4067 and the ULN2803 should work down to 3v. I have not tested it with any 3.3v boards but I think it should work. I currently am verifying compatibility and updating libraries for the Leonardo (still 5v) and then I will look into the Due (3.3v logic).