Reprappable Inkjet

Release status: experimental

Description	An inkjet head that can be completely made in a RepRap machine
License	GPL
Author	User:Adrianbowyer
Contributors
Based-on	Scratchbuilt_Piezo_Printhead
Categories	Inkjet
CAD Models
External Link

Introduction

This is an inkjet head that is completely makable in a RepRap machine. It was inspired by Johnrpm's Scratchbuilt_Piezo_Printhead.

It has only three reprapped parts. The other parts are standard easily-obtainable items. There is no machining involved in making it - the only tools needed are scissors, a scalpel or razor blade, a hammer, a short piece of 3 mm steel rod to use as a punch, and a glue gun.

It uses a piezoelectric buzzer to drive the ink.

It is experimental, so it's reliability is not yet perfect... But it does work (there's a video below).

I need to do more work on the driver electronics. Then I'll see if I can add heater elements so we can inkjet waxes and wood's metal...

Bill of Materials

no. off	part	picture key
1	reprapped body	A
1	reprapped tube clamp	B
1	ink supply	C
1	length of 3mm soft silicone tube	C
2	25 mm M3 set screws	D
2	20 mm M3 set screws	D
4	M3 nuts	D
8	M3 washers	D
1	reprapped buzzer clamp	E
2	25 mm O rings, minor diameter 2 mm	F
1	sewing pin with a length of wire insulation	G
1	plastic disc	H
1	27 mm diameter piezo buzzer element	I

The plastic disc can be cut from any reasonably stiff piece of flat plastic. I used an old plastic box. Draw round the piezo buzzer element with a fine felt-tip pen then cut carefully inside your line with scissors. You want the disc and the buzzer to be the same size.

I used a syringe as my ink supply, but any small watertight container that you can connect to the silicone tube will do.