electronizer Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I've seen several posts about the 1027 letter quality printer and its uselessness due to rotted print heads. It seems like a neat piece of machinery with the rotating print head and the striker, and I would love to see one in action. I have two of these printers with mostly intact print heads, which I don't intend to ever turn on (I know the print head will self destruct). How hard would it be to take a mold of the print head and use it to cast new print heads out of a more stable material, such as silicone? Alternatively, how hard would it be to take a 3D scan of the print head and use the scan to create a mold? Has anyone tried something like this? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgle Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 On the two 1027s I have, the heads were so soft that the characters got mushed just from touching them. I doubt they would survive removal and handling to pull a mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Just curious... what kind of material are the printing heads made from? - Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Just curious... what kind of material are the printing heads made from? - Michael Corn starch. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I also have two 1027's, and I would be willing to help pay for some research to replace the rubber material on the print heads. I've been thinking for some time about getting a couple from Best and making molds myself. DavidMil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivop Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 To avoid the print heads getting mushed by only touching them, I guess it might help to put them in the freezer for a while before creating the mold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ransom Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I don't have a 1027 any more, but I'd buy one if I keep one working. I loved mine, along with the 1020 plotter. I'd back a Kickstarter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1050 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 http://sirsillyboy.deviantart.com/gallery/26059930/Atari-1027-Printer Needs to be made of neoprene to be oil resistant to oil based inks, which are still the majority available. Casting I doubt will work due to soft result, high temperature pressure molding is probably the only way to make one that will out perform the original in the first place. That is the goal, right? Some dense RTV and polyurethane car suspension bushing casting materials look promising though for the casting approach. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgle Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Problem is that there may be no way to know exactly how hard or soft the original heads were designed to be. By now, even unused new old stock ones will have been rendered mushy by Father Time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) I've seen custom red rubber stamps being made from blank stock on a laser cutter. Would it be possible to laser cut replacements from a high quality synthetic rubber belt of some sort? Maybe something automotive/industrial grade that can handle oil exposure? From the limited pictures I've seen, the mechanism reminds me of a rubber date stamp. Maybe there's some possibility in the process that manufactures those? (I assume those use water based inks, though.) Edited January 14, 2017 by BigO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) It sounds like a machine gun as the calculator like print head smacks the crap out of the paper.... the Atari is such a musical computer! I do have a proplem... my last ink roller is dead..... It faded out........ it shared that part with what other printing devices? Edited January 15, 2017 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinez Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 http://dereatari.republika.pl/serw.htm#DrukarkiYou may find this webpage useful. It is hosted by jer, a qualified technician worked at Atari authorized repair center for years.In Printers section, there is a diagram of 1027 printing head with all the dimensions. And an idea, how to refurbish a worn out one:"Durability of [rubber] band with fonts is limited, so after more than 30 years (actual age of this equipment) it hardens, becomes brittle and breaks making the printer unusable. To get a replacement font band, you may try to order a custom flexographic plate, or just ask at inking stamp shop. Several attempts may be required to match the appropriate dimensions of the band to the printing head. But, you may elaborate a few new bands with different font styles and charsets." 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 http://dereatari.republika.pl/serw.htm#Drukarki You may find this webpage useful. It is hosted by jer, a qualified technician worked at Atari authorized repair center for years. In Printers section, there is a diagram of 1027 printing head with all the dimensions. And an idea, how to refurbish a worn out one: "Durability of [rubber] band with fonts is limited, so after more than 30 years (actual age of this equipment) it hardens, becomes brittle and breaks making the printer unusable. To get a replacement font band, you may try to order a custom flexographic plate, or just ask at inking stamp shop. Several attempts may be required to match the appropriate dimensions of the band to the printing head. But, you may elaborate a few new bands with different font styles and charsets." Any way to get that translated to English? I would really like to look into this! David Milsop Kingwood, Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1050 Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Beyond https://translate.google.com/ Not a clue. Drop the url into the box and click on BLUE Translate. I then saved the page under File dropdown in toolbar, but it remains to be seen if it works as expected once I'm offline and my DSL modem can't reach out to get the real deal on the webby thing. So YMMV warning applies to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irgendwer Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thanks to member "freetz" - who donated a 1027 - I'm working on a solution. (I've owned one back then but sold it before it dispersed.) Please wait for the Abbuc Hardware Contest, I'll try to meet this deadline. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thanks to member "freetz" - who donated a 1027 - I'm working on a solution. (I've owned one back then but sold it before it dispersed.) Please wait for the Abbuc Hardware Contest, I'll try to meet this deadline. If you are successful, I would like to buy 2 of them myself. Thanks, David Milsop Kingwood, Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 I've seen custom red rubber stamps being made from blank stock on a laser cutter. Would it be possible to laser cut replacements from a high quality synthetic rubber belt of some sort? Maybe something automotive/industrial grade that can handle oil exposure?Yes.I did it that way 8 years ago. You can buy a "sheet" of that stamp material, and laser it with a CO2 Laser. I have to admit however, I changed my profession short after it with the result, I did not have access to a laser anymore. So after a while, I forgot about it. The first proto"type" was "usable" but I was not satisfied. The glue I used, to apply the rubber on the wheel was the wrong one for that job. But to answer your question, YES it is possible. I'll try to find the regarding corel draw file. and upload it then. Stefan 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Yes. I did it that way 8 years ago. You can buy a "sheet" of that stamp material, and laser it with a CO2 Laser. I have to admit however, I changed my profession short after it with the result, I did not have access to a laser anymore. So after a while, I forgot about it. The first proto"type" was "usable" but I was not satisfied. The glue I used, to apply the rubber on the wheel was the wrong one for that job. But to answer your question, YES it is possible. I'll try to find the regarding corel draw file. and upload it then. Stefan I would really like to get that file if you find it. Repairing Atari products has become a driving hobby for me since I've retired. Thanks so much, David Milsop Kingwood, Texas 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 (edited) I would really like to get that file if you find it. Repairing Atari products has become a driving hobby for me since I've retired. Thanks so much, David Milsop Kingwood, Texas Here you are... Please rename the files from *.txt to *.cdr. "I'm not allowed to upload this kind of file". The program I used to draw it named CorelDraw Version 13, by the way. The latest version is 17. If you like to have a different file type, just drop me a note Stefan uhh, ohh... and ... by the way, if somebody produce that roller head... I'd like to buy one Typen-negativ.txt Typen Vers12.txt Edited January 16, 2017 by Stefan Both 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 If I can make working heads from your information, I'll send you one for free! I also want to keep up with Irgendwer to see how he is progressing. It looks like I'm going to have to breakdown and buy a newer copy of Corel Draw. Mine is version 9. I have a feeling it's going to take several tries with different materials to get this right. Thank you for the info, and I'll keep you posted. David Milsop Kingwood, Texas 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+CharlieChaplin Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 "Bringing the 1027 printer back from the dead" Rick Grimes does not like this ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 .... It looks like I'm going to have to breakdown and buy a newer copy of Corel Draw. Mine is version 9..... David Milsop Kingwood, Texas No problem at all. I can downgrade the version number. To late today. Please give me another day Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 No problem at all. I can downgrade the version number. To late today. Please give me another day Stefan If you can't, do not worry about it. I can work with what you gave me. Thanks so much, David Milsop Kingwood, Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Well, sorry... It tooked more than a day. As already mentioned, the latest Corel - Version is X8 (18). The oldest version I´m able to downgrade to is 11. But I attached a zip file with an eps version too. You should be able to open it in any drawing program. Good luck !!! Stefan 1027_Typen.zip 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMil Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I've talked to seven rubber stamp/custom stamp making companies (across the country) and they all said the same thing; "You're going to have to have a injection mold made." So I'm still looking... David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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