Very good explanation of the difference between piezo and
thermal/bubblejet. However, despite the website describing thermal
heads as temporary, part of the ink cartridge, and short-lived, I've
used two Canon BJC 610 inkjet printers for quite a few prints without
ever replacing the heads, sold one and the other finally did clog
badly but it was so old by then that I bought another printer rather
than put herculean effort or pay $12.95 for a new head. Then a Canon
BJC 5000 that clogged badly enough to require replacement about every
6 ink replacements. Now a Canon BJC 6000 that I've used quite a bit
but has never (knock on wood, ow my head!) yet needed a new print head.
With Stefan's experience and your's and others observations, I am
going to see if I can pick up a working Epson inkjet since they are
Piezo. Loads of Epson 600's in the thrift stores here lately, but they
don't have a straight through paper path. Are there any Epson inkjets
that have a rear feed slot and a straight paper path?
Steve Greenfield
--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "grantfair2001"
<grant.fair@s...> wrote:
> Stefan - here is some basic info on printhead design, for what it is
> worth.
>
> https://www.inkzone.com/resource/ptech.cfm
>
> I am wodering if the heat in your print head acted as a catalyst and
> the polymers cross linked. That would make a "clog" I think.
>
> A chemist friend who develops plastics for Dupont thought that the
> potassium permanganate you probably used acted as a catalyst and
> triggered cross-linking. I will ask him about the heat theory, too,
> when I get a chance.
>
> Grant
>