September 16, 2014

Convert an inkjet printer into a coffee art printer

And now for something completely different comes this inkjet printer hack by Belal Affouri. He's modified a Canon IP3600 inkjet printer in conjunction with parts from another and a flatbed scanner to create a device that can print on top of a coffee, using the foam or crema surface as the canvas.

An Arduino is used to control the printhead's position via a stepper motor, and also wired into the printer mechanism for print control and also trick the printer into thinking paper is present. Finally real ink isn't used, instead the cartridge is refilled with edible ink. A quick demonstration of the process is shown in the following video:

To learn how this was done including the Arduino sketch, check out Belal's Instructable page. And for more, we're on facebook, twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.

 There's so much you can do with an Arduino and motors - and the base of any project is a solid motor shield - such as our HBRIDGE: DC/stepper motor shield. Based around the powerful Allegro A4954 H-bridge driver IC you can control two DC motors with complete ease, or one bipolar stepper motor. With connections for external power management, a complete beginners' guide and documentation - motor control couldn't be any easier. For more information and to order, visit the HBRIDGE: page.

 

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