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Giant "Inkjet Printer"

Posted by Hemos on from the time-to-redo-the-house dept.

mustrum_ridcully writes "For all you who don't like the cost of inkjet printers how about this printer that uses spray paint (courtesy of bbc news ). Ok it's not exactly what you'd call compact, but perfect for the lazy or wannabe graffiti artist." Having just finished doing a bunch of painting in my house, I'd like to have one of those machines drop down over my house, and paint via program - maybe I can use as GBA SP as the control device.

7 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Uses by Beatbyte · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This would have instant cool uses for designs on bedspreads or sheets, custom car paint jobs, walls, etc. etc.

    Personally I would use it for when I'm building furniture (desks, tables, etc.) to give it a once over with some spray wood treatment or color.

    The article is kind of light on details of sales and such though. Looks more like a hack job. But hey maybe it'll be the first printer to have linux drivers FIRST! ;)

    --
    Get paid to code OSS
  2. Looks like... by splerdu · · Score: 5, Interesting

    A rehash of the plotter, only using spray paint instead of a pen.

    The artistic benefit of this new device may not be long lived if it does become commonplace, it would be like making paintings using a plotter.

  3. Robot? by watzinaneihm · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The machine I think should be better described as a wall painting robot rather than a "wall printer".
    A similar thing would be to fit a spray can onto this wall climbing robot.
    Surprising that nobody has automated wall painting yet, then we wouldnt need to have these plain colored walls anymore. All of us could have our favorite frescos. Just get me a large res. image of the cistine chapel roof!!

    --
    .ACMD setaloiv siht gnidaeR
  4. bah - that think is puny!! by afxgrin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Check out STREET WRITER. It's a modified van that will spray paint entire messages on the street. :-)

    Now this is a giant ink jet printer.

  5. Re:This would be really sweet mounted on a car bum by jcwren · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I had considered that idea years ago, but never got around to actually building hardware. I'd planned on a paint tank (use that oldskool Tempra paint that washes off with water), a pressure source (like carbon dioxide), and a manifold feeding 128 electrically controlled nozzles. All this would be mounted on a frame that could be supported by a standard 2" bumper hitch (what is that, Class II? Class III?) The nozzles would be about 2" off the road, probably on some kind of floating arrangement. There'd be a small microcontroller with an RS-232 port, and a speed sensor.

    You'd lay out some text or imagess in a graphics program, get out on the highway, and lay down road graffitti. "SPEED TRAP AHEAD" spread down I-85N for 200 feet.

    I'm actually pretty surprised no one has built one yet. Although I'm sure the local laws have some idiotic provision against writing on highways with non-toxic temporary paint.

  6. Official Site by Macblaster · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Complete with pictures, a movie, etc
    http://www.hektor.ch/

  7. More Printer News by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And if your really looking for printer news, the first printer ever designed has finally been built.

    Check out Charles Babbages printer on the same site as the other article. Hopefully THIS printer won't have to worry about the cost of refills.