Open Printer: the printer that says goodbye to cartridge blocks approaches debut with a prototype
Open Printer: the printer that says goodbye to cartridge blocks approaches debut with a prototype
The French startup Open Tools has showcased the first working prototype of its Open Printer, an open-source inkjet printer designed to offer greater freedom to users. The project was born as an alternative to traditional models, often characterized by DRM systems, manufacturer-locked cartridges, and subscription services.
The user interface features a 1.47-inch TFT display and a navigation wheel. Available connections include USB-C, USB-A, Bluetooth 4.1, and a 24 Volt power supply. According to the latest updates, the prototype can already print both black and white documents and color.
About 9 months after its appearance on the Crowd Supply platform, however, the final price, the commercialization date, and the printing speed have yet to be communicated. The company has released an initial demonstration video and announced that the project has been nominated for two design awards in France. The device is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero W that manages the print server, while an STM32 microcontroller from STMicroelectronics separately controls the cartridge system.
Additional details on the open-source printer
The printer uses the open-source CUPS (Common Unix Printing System), ensuring compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS without the need for proprietary drivers. The declared printing quality reaches 600 dpi for black and 1200 dpi for color.
For cartridges, the Open Printer utilizes HP 63 models in the United States, HP 302 in Europe, and HP 803 in Asian markets. The cartridges can be refilled and the black and color tanks operate independently, avoiding complete printing blockages when one of them runs out.
The entire project, including hardware, firmware, technical documentation, and the component list, is distributed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license, which allows modifications, repairs, and sharing but prohibits commercial use of the project. Open Tools is still working on integrating Wi-Fi and Ethernet, optimizing ink drying, automating print head cleaning, paper feeding, and dithering algorithms.
The final cost will depend on production volumes.