Difference between revisions of "Weekly Progress Reports"

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==March 14==
 
==March 14==
===Work:===  
+
===Work===  
- Researching different printer methodologies (i.e., piezoelectric vs thermal drop-on-demand)
+
- Researched different printer methodologies (i.e., piezoelectric vs thermal drop-on-demand)
  
 
- Attempted contact with T. Boland and other leaders in the cell printing field
 
- Attempted contact with T. Boland and other leaders in the cell printing field
 
   
 
   
  
===Risks identified:===
+
===Risks identified===
  
 
- Determining an existing printing platform on which to actually build the device will be difficult
 
- Determining an existing printing platform on which to actually build the device will be difficult
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       - Which printer is the least sensitive to having components removed or altered?
 
       - Which printer is the least sensitive to having components removed or altered?
  
==* March 21==
+
==March 21==
===Work:===
+
===Work===
 
- Confirmed the Canon BubbleJet 2100 printer as first platform to attempt construction; reasons include:
 
- Confirmed the Canon BubbleJet 2100 printer as first platform to attempt construction; reasons include:
 
       - T. Boland et al. have had success with altering this system for biological samples
 
       - T. Boland et al. have had success with altering this system for biological samples
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- Printer ordered from Ebay; due to arrive within one week
 
- Printer ordered from Ebay; due to arrive within one week
  
===Risks identified:===
+
===Risks identified===
 
- Ebay listing described the printer as "for parts" so it may not be completely functional (fingers crossed!)
 
- Ebay listing described the printer as "for parts" so it may not be completely functional (fingers crossed!)
  
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==* March 28==
+
==March 28==
Work:
+
===Work===
 +
- Downloaded printer drivers from a Canon BJC 2100 to attempt modifications
  
 +
- Researched printer driver documentation and modification
  
Next steps:
+
===Risks identified===
Risks identified:
+
- Modifying the drivers may be more difficult than previously thought; the only clear method is to back engineer the system from .dll files which will be tedious and an extremely long process
  
  
==* April 4==
+
==April 4==
Work:
+
===Work===
 +
- BCJ arrived, and cover and extraneous components were removed (e.g., cover and plastic base)
 +
 
 +
- Built small stands on which to mount the printer head and track
 +
 
 +
- Evaluated the use of a movable stage (which would utilize the stepper-motorized stage from the PSF lab); opted not to use this method and instead decided to utilize existing paper advancement mechanisms
 
- [[More info on BJC2100 Attempt]]
 
- [[More info on BJC2100 Attempt]]
  
Next steps:
+
===Risks identified===
Risks identified:
+
- BJC 2100 does not sync well with modern OS (both Mac and Windows), making it difficult to manage
 +
 
 +
- Printer systems are less modular than originally thought, making it harder to actually separate each of the different components and mechanisms
  
 +
- Which is easier: altering an existing system or building a completely new one?
  
==* April 11==
+
==April 11==
Work:
+
===Work===
 +
- Obtained second platform, HP
 
Next steps:
 
Next steps:
 
Risks identified:
 
Risks identified:

Revision as of 21:27, 18 May 2011

March 14

Work

- Researched different printer methodologies (i.e., piezoelectric vs thermal drop-on-demand)

- Attempted contact with T. Boland and other leaders in the cell printing field


Risks identified

- Determining an existing printing platform on which to actually build the device will be difficult

- Key considerations include:

      - How easy will this printer sync with my computer?
      - How accessible are the printer drivers?
      - Which printer is the least sensitive to having components removed or altered?

March 21

Work

- Confirmed the Canon BubbleJet 2100 printer as first platform to attempt construction; reasons include:

      - T. Boland et al. have had success with altering this system for biological samples
      - Claims that the printer drivers are accessible and modifiable 
      - Lack of filtration system (older printers do not have fine filters for ink clumps as many new printers do)
      - Easy mechanism to modify (BJC2100 has one simple paper feed drive)

- Printer ordered from Ebay; due to arrive within one week

Risks identified

- Ebay listing described the printer as "for parts" so it may not be completely functional (fingers crossed!)

- Spring Break is putting a slight delay on things...


March 28

Work

- Downloaded printer drivers from a Canon BJC 2100 to attempt modifications

- Researched printer driver documentation and modification

Risks identified

- Modifying the drivers may be more difficult than previously thought; the only clear method is to back engineer the system from .dll files which will be tedious and an extremely long process


April 4

Work

- BCJ arrived, and cover and extraneous components were removed (e.g., cover and plastic base)

- Built small stands on which to mount the printer head and track

- Evaluated the use of a movable stage (which would utilize the stepper-motorized stage from the PSF lab); opted not to use this method and instead decided to utilize existing paper advancement mechanisms - More info on BJC2100 Attempt

Risks identified

- BJC 2100 does not sync well with modern OS (both Mac and Windows), making it difficult to manage

- Printer systems are less modular than originally thought, making it harder to actually separate each of the different components and mechanisms

- Which is easier: altering an existing system or building a completely new one?

April 11

Work

- Obtained second platform, HP Next steps: Risks identified:


* April 18

Work: Next steps: Risks identified:

* April 25

Work: Next steps: Risks identified:

* May 2

Work: Next steps: Risks identified:

* May 9

Work: Next steps: Risks identified:


Note: Much of this electronic documentation has been done retrospectively, taken from actual lab notebook.