... because the channels through which the ink is propelled are only microns wide, and the ink volumes which are distributed per drop are in the picoliter range which requires a complex piezo-electric control system.
If this topic turns out to be the start of a FOSS, I'll join as a (senior) design engineer.
Find one that doesn't have a patent and reverse engineer it.
I imagine the first/original control system was extremely difficult to develop. But since the technology already exists you can reverse engineer it.
After that, you pay a supplier to make parts. In my experience, these suppliers will end up redesigning to match better with their process, but still meets critical specifications.
I'd post my contact info, but I believe I'm targeted by an HN mod.
> Find one that doesn't have a patent and reverse engineer it
At this point, it would be better to start looking at expired (and about-to-expire) patents. A circa Y2k printer would be a perfectly acceptable design, IMO.
Find one that doesn't have a patent and reverse engineer it.
I imagine the first/original control system was extremely difficult to develop. But since the technology already exists you can reverse engineer it.
After that, you pay a supplier to make parts. In my experience, these suppliers will end up redesigning to match better with their process, but still meets critical specifications.
I'd post my contact info, but I believe I'm targeted by an HN mod.