Homebrew PCBs

It has been mentioned here and elsewhere that desktop Epson
printers cannot handle solvent inks due to the inability of various
parts other than the heads themselves in handling the solvents.

However, on another list I see someone is running solvent inks and
even acetone through desktop Epsons:

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Hiya
Solvent inks can easily be run thru heads like those used on 1290's
etc (we even flush with acetone)
All it requires is to replace the cartriges with solvent filled
ones or use dampers off a roland or mimaki large format printer
(they fit over the cart nozzles and are sort of mini reservoirs
used if you also want to convert a bulk ink system at the same
time)
The wiper can easily be replaced with solvent resistant ones (the
wiper is the rubber blade the head goes over when it cleans itself)
and the capping station (the think the heast rest on and that suck
them when doing a head clean) is robust enough to handle the
solvents , the tubing from pump to capping station needs to be
replaced with solvent resistant stuff too. You need a tube from the
capping station to an ink bottle for waste removal - there is
already a place for it under the foam tray of the capping station
(a little nipple the tube fits on)
These mods are easy and cheap to do.
We are running a pretty aggressive solvent based ink thru a desktop
as the print engine on a flatbed with very little problem. I didnt
even bother to replace the wiper and still use the original rubber
one 8 months on.
The solvent in these inks is highly unlikely to even be that
agressive as the reason for agressive solvents is the ability to
print on stuff like vinyl , banner and other uncoated stuff that
the solvent softens and "melts"so that the inks bind with more
permanence.
*********

Steve Greenfield

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Steve Greenfield               // Digital photography, scanning,
Polymorph Digital Photography // retouching, and photomorphing
253-318-2473 voice           // to your specs.
polymorph@...     // 
http://www.polyphoto.com/  // Based in Tacoma, WA, USA