The latest update to the printing press: adding a 3d printer to print new plates, and a recycler to reuse that plastic once you’ve printed your page.
Uses 10x the energy, recycled plastic gets junked because of ink contamination, but still 25% cheaper than running an hp inkjet because you can use bulk ink and don’t have to keep replacing your dried up CMY inks to stop it from refusing to print your black and white document.
Which is kinda funny if it’s easier to make a printer that can print objects vs a printer that can print on surfaces. Like it’s harder to draw a picture of an object than it is to create an instance of that object.
The idea is pretty ironic. If one was patient enough, they could design a CAD machine that would write out their prints. I believe I had seen them before. The problems with that machine are speed and efficiency.
it’d require that all OEM’s agree to specific standards and they won’t because being closed source = $$$.
likewise why no one is reverse engineering printers, there’s no $$$ in it
The demonic summoning ritual involved in bringing a printer to life is awfully hard to replicate using non-proprietary methods.
I wonder how feasible an open source printer would be, like the open source 3d printers.
3D print a plate with your document on it. Dip the plate in ink and press it to a sheet of paper.
The latest update to the printing press: adding a 3d printer to print new plates, and a recycler to reuse that plastic once you’ve printed your page.
Uses 10x the energy, recycled plastic gets junked because of ink contamination, but still 25% cheaper than running an hp inkjet because you can use bulk ink and don’t have to keep replacing your dried up CMY inks to stop it from refusing to print your black and white document.
Possible, but the tolerances would be a lot for people. Also, one would need a solid stream of supplies.
Which is kinda funny if it’s easier to make a printer that can print objects vs a printer that can print on surfaces. Like it’s harder to draw a picture of an object than it is to create an instance of that object.
The idea is pretty ironic. If one was patient enough, they could design a CAD machine that would write out their prints. I believe I had seen them before. The problems with that machine are speed and efficiency.