The open-source inkjet printer prototype combines digital rights management (DRM)-free, subscription-free printing with repairability and customisation.
Open Tools has unveiled a working prototype of its open-source inkjet printer, Open Printer. The printer is designed without digital rights management (DRM) restrictions or subscription requirements. However, the company has not revealed the availability date or price of the product yet.
The project was introduced last year. The project aims to provide an open and customisable alternative to conventional inkjet printers. The electronics, mechanical design files, firmware, and bill of materials of the printer are available to the public under the Creative Commons licence, which allows the public to make improvements to the printer but does not allow production and distribution of the printer.
Open Tools has released a demonstration video showing the printer printing and cutting paper. According to Open Tools, the printer’s core functions are now operational and the printer can print using standard paper as well as roll paper, while cutting the roll paper to the required length.
The company is continuing to refine several aspects of the printer before commercial release. These aspects include ink-drying improvement, printhead cleaning cycles, paper insertion, printing speed, WI-FI and Ethernet connectivity, and dithering algorithms to improve image quality.
The Open Printer is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero W and uses an STM32 microcontroller for managing the cartridge board. It uses refillable HP 63 cartridges in the USA and HP 302 cartridges in Europe and supports 600 dpi monochrome printing and 1,200 dpi color printing. The printer supports USB-C, USB-A, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and works with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android and iOS using open-source CUPS print server without any proprietary drivers.
Additionally, it was reported that Open Tools’ Open Printer was nominated for the French Design Awards in the Production and Teaching & Learning categories. The pricing information was not provided since the company said that the price depends on production volume, bill-of-materials costs, certification and remaining engineering work before launching its crowdfunding campaign.
