[Lab] Chemistry help: moding Inkjet Printers

[Mike Ayukawa]

How about a bacteria that would break down the cellulose? Like the one in the guts of a termite?

On 2013-05-27, at 4:40 PM, Stephane Beauchamp-Kiss <stephane.beauchampkiss at gmail.com> wrote:

> Jason,
> 
> Great ideas there. Thank you so much for the suggestions. I'm drawn to
> using standard paper and ink becasue the printers are calibrated to
> work with that and are most likely to print accurately. This is
> particularly true if I'm looking at something as large as a plotter
> for big stencils.
> 
> The issue is safety + clean dissolving of the printed area.
> 
> I know there are many chemicals that could do this done. Your
> suggestion of phosphorus + heat is a good idea, I'll need to explore
> this, but i'm concerned that with autoignition of paper, the burn will
> continue past the printed area and you won't end up with a clean
> stencil. Something to try!
> 
> Photosensitive silkscreening is actually not an application I've
> tried, since I've never had a darkroom. You've got an interesting idea
> there, but I'd like to focus on the cut stencil idea. I did fail to
> explain that this is currently my main method for creating stencils -
> I'm skilled at hand cutting large, detailed stencils with an sharp
> blade over a lit surface. But, as you can imagine, this takes up huge
> time resources for complicated designs.
> 
> What I would love to do is create a safe DIY kit for others to follow.
> Many chemicals that I know will do the trick are either dangerous (ie,
> calcium carbide in the ink then misting the paper with water would
> work but will release acetylne) or probably won't work right (NMMO).
> That's why I'm hoping someone on here with a chemistry background can
> really help me identify a chemical that would work nicely for this
> application.
> 
> Any more ideas out there?
> 
>     Stephane Arthur Kiss, M.A.Sc
>     Producer: Art, Music, Design
>     ANTI STUDIOS.com
>     OFFICE 613-997-3015
>     STUDIO 613-761-7185
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 5/27/13, Jason Cobill <jason.cobill at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Don't let people get you down, I think you have something there.
>> 
>> Here's an idea: Instead of perfecting the ink, instead modify the paper.
>> Dead trees are tough stuff to dissolve, and aren't even that great as
>> stencils. It soaks up paint and falls apart after a few uses. Why not use
>> metal foil or a plastic (or sugar) sheet or something, and then print
>> readily available water (or some kind of solvent) onto it? That way you end
>> up with a way more robust stencilling template, and you can work with
>> chemicals that aren't scary organic dissolvers.
>> 
>> Another option: Print out onto regular paper, but cut the stencil in a
>> two-stage process. Maybe you print phosphors onto the paper, and then warm
>> it in a toaster oven to burn through the stencil. Or you print something
>> onto plastic and freeze + shatter the stencil. (This doesn't sound really
>> safe...)
>> 
>> In my imagination, I can't see past the silkscreening process - maybe you
>> run silkscreen-emulsion coated fabric through your printer and print
>> something on it that blocks light (sunscreen!) - then expose it to sun/UV.
>> The printed area doesn't set, and washes off leaving a fabric stencil.
>> 
>> 
>> On Mon, May 27, 2013 at 3:43 PM, Stephane Beauchamp-Kiss <
>> stephane.beauchampkiss at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Good afternoon all,
>>> 
>>> I'm wondering if there's any members out there with a background in
>>> chemistry who would be interested in exploring an idea/project with
>>> me:
>>> 
>>> I have used laser cutting in the past to create stencils for various
>>> art projects. This is definitely a popular application of this
>>> technology (silkscreening/art/signs). However, I have found several
>>> disadvantages: laser cutters aren't readily available, they are
>>> expensive to own privately (especially in larger sizes), the cost of
>>> services such as ponoko.com is still high, designs need to be vector
>>> graphics, and there are limitations to the level of detail of the
>>> design.
>>> 
>>> My idea: using standard inkjet printers/plotters to create stencils.
>>> The idea would be to add a chemical to the ink in an inkjet cartridge,
>>> such that it reacts with cellulose in the paper and dissolves it into
>>> a relatively safe/environmentally friendly gas. NMMO is a chemical
>>> that appear promising; it is used in industry for dissolving cellulose
>>> and has a history of use as an additive to inkjet ink to increase the
>>> intensity of colors on paper; in larger concentrations it may dissolve
>>> the paper (though it may turn it into a liquid goop). Another
>>> alternative is an paper pre-treatment that would react with another
>>> chemical added to the inket cartridge. I recognize the dangers and
>>> obstacles associated with this project. I have a safe, controlled area
>>> in my home in Westboro to work on this project.
>>> 
>>> What I'm looking for is a partner in crime with some chemistry
>>> background who would be interested in meeting and exploring this idea
>>> with me. The long term goal is to develop/market a home DIY stenciling
>>> kit for inkjet printers.
>>> 
>>> I welcome any comments on this projects, even critisism. To be honest,
>>> I have received a fair bit already and I am aware that there may
>>> simply be too many obstacles to make this one fly. Doesn't mean I
>>> won't try ;)
>>> 
>>> Cheers!
>>> 
>>>    Stephane Arthur Kiss, M.A.Sc
>>>    Producer: Art, Music, Design
>>>    ANTI STUDIOS.com
>>>    OFFICE 613-997-3015
>>>    STUDIO 613-761-7185
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> 2. then email Lab at artengine.ca
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