Digital BW, The Print

>1) It seems that one obvious point is the need for a firm seal
> between the tubes and the "nipples" in the head...
> I have had good luck inserting tubes over these "nipples" ...

Yes, the standard tubing I use for the vacuum loading fits nicely over the
inlet posts.

>However, the tube will eventually come loose if it's not more 
>securely clamped.

They might.  I'm sure this is easily solved.


>2) There appears to be the need for some kind of "damper" such as 
>the ones used on the large format printers ...

Yes, and MIS carries some.  I've played with my 7500 dampers, and it appears
a different tubing size is needed, but I think the basic idea is sound.

>3) Some large format carts are pressurized, some not... 

The fact that CISs work indicates suction is sufficient on the desktop
units.

>... most CIS systems are HIGHLY sensitive to
> gravity and placing the bottles even a little too high will 
> result in a mess of ink dripping through the head. Bottles 
> too low will result in starvation and may even draw ink back 
> from the head causing air bubbles or air in the lines.

But lots of people use these devices regularly without much worry about ink
level.  It think some work here might make the units work better than they
do already, however.

I think there is a workable system here. 


Paul
www.PaulRoark.com