• redtea@lemmygrad.ml
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    2 years ago

    I’ve seen a few similar posts recently (not a bad thing to be aware). Epson, HP…

    Is it possible to 3D print a printer that can be topped up with any old liquid / inkjet ink. That might be popular. Beside the obvious privacy protection, such a printer could be easily maintained as broken parts could be replaced easily enough.

    Seems there’s a gap in the infamous market.

    I imagine one of the main problems is that the actual ‘printer’ end of such a machine will contain proprietary parts, possibly locked behind IP walls. So if these parts cannot be printed, they have to be bought, and big manufacturers can get their data by selling those parts.

    • FuckBigTech347@lemmygrad.ml
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      2 years ago

      There are even libre FSF certified 3D printers, but for some reason NOBODY is making a standard ink-based 2D office printer that has none of this DRM bullshit or requires fucking proprietary drivers to work. Why is that? Sure I get it, under capitalism it’s difficult to just make something without the means and some investors that first need to be convinced that you’ll make something profitable, etc. etc. But why is no AES country (like the PRC) making some, or at least planning to in the future? Or haven’t I looked enough?

      • redtea@lemmygrad.ml
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        2 years ago

        I’m not sure. It may be a condition for access to the rights to produce the parts for e.g. HP printers. Maybe it’s a dying market with phones, tablets, and e-readers?

    • holdengreen@lemmygrad.ml
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      2 years ago

      My side project has been to design a really cheap and practical 3D printer. Haven’t got to a conventional printer but it’s on my long list.

    • frippa@lemmy.ml
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      2 years ago

      So technically and obviously speculating someone could 3d print a money printer? No EURion constellation if you build the thing urself

      • redtea@lemmygrad.ml
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        2 years ago

        I’m unsure. It’s guess it were possible if for writing with the skills.

        Not heard of EURion before. Maybe that answers the question above as to why is hard to 3D print a 2D printer.