QTR-Quadtone RIP

Re keeping the chips sorted, The chips identify the ink colour and I think the 3880 cartridges are considerably smaller (less capacity) than the 4880. So, volume would come into play regarding the chips from the carts.



Mick



From: <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com> on behalf of "Myron Gochnauer goch@... [QuadtoneRIP]" <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Reply-To: <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 2:32 PM
To: QTR group group <QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [QuadtoneRIP] OT: Epson chips

 



I apologize for being off topic, but many of you are pretty sophisticated with Epson printers, and so might know the answer to a simple question (or series of related questions):



What are the differences between cartridge chips for the different positions in Epson printers such as the 3880? Is each one unique?



Some things are obvious:   The chips electronically identify Epson as the maker - - - unlike 3rd party chips, they are recognized as "genuine Epson”.  And they clearly keep some kind of count or measure of usage.



But do they also uniquely identify:  1) the colour and/or position; and/or 2) the printer series (3880 vs. 4880 vs. 3900 etc.)?



Position and printer series are already identified and limited by the physical construction of the cartridges themselves:

The 4880 cartridges have raised ‘tabs’ in various positions on top and bottom near the insertion end.

The 3880 cartridges have a kind of steps-and-keys arrangement (and the position # printed/pressed into the plastic) on the side opposite the large label.



These physical tabs and keys make it unnecessary to include electronic position and printer checks in the chips themselves. Do any of you know whether the chips do, in fact, ignore position and printer model?   If they do, what differences, if any, are there between the chips in different positions and in different printer series? Are they all the same?



Supplementary question:  if they are not all the same, is there any visual way to distinguish between them?



Aside:  With earlier, smaller printers like the 2200, I think the chips contained at least colour information. I have a set of chips that I bought years ago for the 2200, and they are in separate anti-static pouches identified by colour.



Reason for the questions:  When recycling Epson cartridges (4880 and 3880), I usually remove the chips just in case I have a future use for them. At present, I keep them carefully sorted by printer and colour.  Is this really necessary??? [Yes, I can do a series of experiments, but this is one of those cases where reinventing the wheel doesn’t seem to offer any additional benefits.]



If you read all of this, thank you!!



Myron