QTR-Quadtone RIP

Thanks very much again guys. I still can't reply to topics despite responding to the email link I recieved when joining up. I've asked the moderator to check my account.

I'm still in shock over this great program. So it can pack a punch with ink density and I can choose to use the black only, unbelieveable. This is all very exciting for me because getting that opaque film positive is the most elusive part of what I'm trying to do. I've been researching everything I can for over a month now and the general solution seems to be one of the expensive printers which are supported by $500 rip software. I've even bought and old Epson 3000 just for its renowned ability to print densely.

I'll definitely keep ink in all cartridges. I've actually learnt a great deal the last 2 or 3 weeks about printhead blockages, the vacuum pump, waste ink tank/foam, capping stations, and the rubber/foam wiper strip which I previously didn't know existed. All these years I had no idea about the importance of manual cleaning on these parts.

Paul, thanks for the links you gave me. The refilling accessory page could come in quite handy. I was actually searching for the cartridge "rivets" without success. Now I know where to get those and more. I see they also have specail "needles" for refilling the Epson 3000 "bag" cartridges. I've just used a chopped off and smoothed hyperdermic needle but I think I need just a touch more needle diameter.

The reason I have for centrifuging the ink OUT is because the foam in the cartridge holds quite a bit of ink even after sucking it out. The other reason is when I did a curiosity take apart of a cartridge I found a mesh filter at the bottom that I could have stuffed when I put the "needle" in. So I was thinking I'd fill it from the very top and let centrifugal action get rid of any air pockets.

I actually flushed a tri-color cartridge with distilled water until it came out clear, but drying it is a problem. Even after a week in hot sun I can still suck water out of it. I'm going to put the cartridge in a vacuum chamber so the water will boil off at a low temperature, then I can fill them with black ink. A refillable cartridge would certainly be easier but I haven't found one for this particular printer (old Epson 980).

I like the old Epson 3000 I've aquired. Quite massive for my purpose but its stock driver has good functionality and can select black only. It also has an "Ink Jet Back Light Film" setting which gives darker print, but still not as dark as I'd like. I see QTR supports both the 980 and the 3000 so I'm lucky there. These older printers are getting harder to find.

Cheers,

Keith.

Hello again Paul,

my head is spinning right now. I've formatted my hard drive and re-installed XP, etc to see if it will help with my issue of not being able to use any of the "reply" buttons. Well the reply buttons are working great for me now so I'm happy.

I got a laugh when you asked what size do I need. I've made one circuit board so far and it can fit on the palm of my hand. I just needed a PWM (pulse width modulation) circuit for a car wiper motor so I can control its speed. It's to make a variable speed rotating welding table. The old Epson 3000 was purchased purely for its reputation for putting down a lot of ink (I didn't know about QTR when I bought it LOL).

Interesting to learn about the modern cartridges with the wide throats and the valves. Yes a hyperdermic needle is one hell of a restriction to ink flow LOL. The valve would be handy, and what I was doing just before installing the cartridge was sucking out the air while the orifice was at the top, then turning it on its side, pulling out the needle, and pushing the cartridge in. A little bit of ink comes out the hole.

Thanks for all that info on how you fill your cartridges, I'm going to document that. I never knew about these ink bases until you told me. I'm learning a lot from you.

Keith.