| How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #351399] |
Fri, 25 August 2017 10:05  |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
So I recently acquired a Silentype. Opening it up and checking it out I discovered that the belt that drives the printhead is badly deteriorating. Does anyone know how to source a replacement belt? It is a toothed drive belt. I wonder if there is a way to just take measurements and get a standard generic belt with the same dimensions.
Also the plastic drive gear on the motor output shaft is cracking, so I wonder how I can get a replacement for that for when it finally crumbles apart..
Thanks,
-Stu
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| How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #351402 is a reply to message #351399] |
Fri, 25 August 2017 12:22  |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
Unfortunately, the printer is also missing the metal shaft and roller assembly that drives the paper feed.
Any ideas on a replacement?
I bet one could be made with a metal shaft about 4mm (haven't measured yet) and some rubber rollers.
Maybe someone in the community that has one could take some pictures so I know what I have to recreate?
Good news at least... the print head works! I was able yo print a few lines before the rubber belt turned to mush.
-Stu
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| Re: can someone with a Silentype send me pictures of some parts I'm missing? [message #351466 is a reply to message #351399] |
Sat, 26 August 2017 14:53 |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
Need pictures of the paper feed parts so I can try to fabricate replacements.
Does anyone have a Silentype and not mind taking a couple pictures?
I have the paper feed motor, but everything forward of that is missing. Is there a metal rod with rollers? Or does it look more like a typewriter platen?
If I had some pictures, I could get a metal rod and make some rollers.
The Silentype is my favorite Apple printer. It's so small! Quiet! And you never have to worry about finding long out of production ribbons. Thermal paper will be around forever, and most people don't know that there's nice quality cut sheet thermal paper that's just like regular paper but a little glossy. I'm excited to get this thing working.
Thanks!
-Stu
On Friday, August 25, 2017 at 10:05:43 AM UTC-4, Stu M wrote:
> So I recently acquired a Silentype. Opening it up and checking it out I discovered that the belt that drives the printhead is badly deteriorating. Does anyone know how to source a replacement belt? It is a toothed drive belt. I wonder if there is a way to just take measurements and get a standard generic belt with the same dimensions.
>
> Also the plastic drive gear on the motor output shaft is cracking, so I wonder how I can get a replacement for that for when it finally crumbles apart.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Stu
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| Re: can someone with a Silentype send me pictures of some parts I'm missing? [message #351505 is a reply to message #351496] |
Sun, 27 August 2017 19:21 |
Hugh Hood
Messages: 678
Registered: November 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Jorge,
Michael's right. I used to use a company called 'Small Parts Inc.' and
had their printed catalog that contained timing belts as far as the eye
could see.
It appears they are no longer with us, but here's a link for you to a
current source:
< http://www.sdp-si.com/products/Timing-Belts-and-Cables/index .php>
Sure, you'll need to take some measurements, but, you I _know_ you
didn't want an easy solution. ;-)
Hugh Hood
On 8/27/2017 1:55 PM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
> Jorge <jorge@jorgechamorro.com> wrote:
>> Stu,
>>
>> I have one taken apart, will try to take some pictures tomorrow. The belt
>> in mine is also bad, if you find a solution please let me know.
>>
>
> These timing belts are available in many sizes, like O-rings. It shouldn't
> be hard to source.
>
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352011 is a reply to message #351402] |
Thu, 07 September 2017 07:58 |
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Originally posted by: Jorge
On Friday, August 25, 2017 at 6:22:17 PM UTC+2, Stu M wrote:
>
> Maybe someone in the community that has one could take some pictures so I know what I have to recreate?
On Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 8:25:51 PM UTC+2, Jorge wrote:
> Stu,
>
> I have one taken apart, will try to take some pictures tomorrow.
Stu, today is tomorrow :-)
https://imgur.com/a/QNp5O
Hope it helps. I was going to measure the diameter but my chinese caliper's battery has run out of juice. My printhead has a pixel almost dead and the flex ribbon is split in two... :-(
--
Jorge.
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352020 is a reply to message #352011] |
Thu, 07 September 2017 10:29 |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
On Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 7:58:59 AM UTC-4, Jorge wrote:
> On Friday, August 25, 2017 at 6:22:17 PM UTC+2, Stu M wrote:
>>
>> Maybe someone in the community that has one could take some pictures so I know what I have to recreate?
>
> On Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 8:25:51 PM UTC+2, Jorge wrote:
>> Stu,
>>
>> I have one taken apart, will try to take some pictures tomorrow.
>
> Stu, today is tomorrow :-)
>
> https://imgur.com/a/QNp5O
>
> Hope it helps. I was going to measure the diameter but my chinese caliper's battery has run out of juice. My printhead has a pixel almost dead and the flex ribbon is split in two... :-(
>
> --
> Jorge.
Thanks Jorge! I'm sorry to hear about your printer having trouble too. I think the printhead is just exposed contacts on a flex cable. If so, may just need cleaning. If the ribbon cable is cracking, then that's probably the source of the problem. You might be able to solder some wires to jumper over the cracks. I bought 10 ft. of silver plated Kynar wire, (blue, 30awg) paid $5 with shipping on ebay. I have found it to be great for jumping around bad traces on circuit boards. I haven't gotten to take mine apart as far as you have. I'll be sure to take care around the flex ribbon.
I'm excited because from the picture you took, it looks like it's just a simple metal rod with rubber O-rings, placed to match up with the rollers in the frame. Should be very reproducable. Hopefully nothing else is missing.
I've noticed that the gear on your motor is black. Mine is white, and has a crack forming. Seems you got lucky with the black gear. Luckily I have a friend that can probably reproduce the gear with 3D printing.
Hint: https://www.tindie.com/stores/option8/
So as long as I can recreate that rod, rubber o-rings should be easy. The hand knob will be another issue, I'm sure I can fashion something like a replacement appliance knob on it for functionality until I can do better, or maybe Charles can print a knob too?
The belt will be the next issue, I promise once I find a proper replacement to post the part number and where to buy.
For now, I'm hiding in the mountains of NC until this hurricane passes!! Hopefully my home will still be standing and inhabitable next week when I have my return flight scheduled!
Thanks!
-Stu
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352153 is a reply to message #352020] |
Sun, 10 September 2017 13:13 |
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Originally posted by: Jorge
I've got some new CR2032s for the calipers so I'll try to take a picture with the diameter "tomorrow" :-)
The black piece that links the paper feed stepper to the rod was broken in mine too, that's why I've wrapped it with the green 3M tape (after applying loctite to the halves). That piece was broken in every Silentype I've ever seen, but a small piece of plastic tube of the proper diameter and not too stiff/somewhat flexible does the trick. The stepper output rod has a bit larger diameter than the other rod but heating the plastic tube a bit you can make it fit on both ends and grip onto them enough and not slip. Will try to take pictures of that too from another Silentype.
On Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 4:29:28 PM UTC+2, Stu M wrote:
>
> For now, I'm hiding in the mountains of NC until this hurricane passes!! Hopefully my home will still be standing and inhabitable next week when I have my return flight scheduled!
>
Ooops, oops, ooops... good luck with that!
Cheers,
--
Jorge.
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352168 is a reply to message #352153] |
Sun, 10 September 2017 18:01 |
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Originally posted by: Jorge
> I've got some new CR2032s for the calipers so I'll try to take a picture with the diameter "tomorrow" :-)
>
> The black piece that links the paper feed stepper to the rod was broken in mine too, that's why I've wrapped it with the green 3M tape (after applying loctite to the halves). That piece was broken in every Silentype I've ever seen, but a small piece of plastic tube of the proper diameter and not too stiff/somewhat flexible does the trick. The stepper output rod has a bit larger diameter than the other rod but heating the plastic tube a bit you can make it fit on both ends and grip onto them enough and not slip. Will try to take pictures of that too from another Silentype.
Hi Stu, tomorrow is today. The diameter is 0.25"
https://imgur.com/a/id3MH
And here is a video of the "fix" for the coupling of the paper feed stepper to the rod:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SMNwHgZBhd8
--
Jorge
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352253 is a reply to message #352168] |
Sun, 10 September 2017 18:51 |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
Thanks for the info! I'll check it out a little later. I've fled to NC to escape the hurricane in FL so my hobbies are on hold. I did however decide to invest in another printer. There was one on eBay, I probably paid too much, but for $100 I'll now have a second to play with, and at least will have the missing parts. I definitely will work on making the replacement parts for the one I currently have.
-Stu
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #352254 is a reply to message #352253] |
Sun, 10 September 2017 19:07 |
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Originally posted by: Jorge
On Monday, September 11, 2017 at 12:51:30 AM UTC+2, Stu M wrote:
> Thanks for the info! I'll check it out a little later. I've fled to NC to escape the hurricane in FL so my hobbies are on hold. I did however decide to invest in another printer. There was one on eBay, I probably paid too much, but for $100 I'll now have a second to play with, and at least will have the missing parts. I definitely will work on making the replacement parts for the one I currently have.
I saw it too.. and was tempted to buy it! But 3 is enough (my wife said to me). Wahaha. There's another one right now in ebay.co.uk...
I wish you the best of luck with the hurricane business.
--
Jorge
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| Re: How to source replacement belt for Apple Silentype [message #353851 is a reply to message #352254] |
Wed, 04 October 2017 22:07 |
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Originally posted by: Stu M
I've been busy for a while, but I had a little time to play with the Silentype. The coupler that connects the paper feed drive motor to the rod with the o-rings has cracked in both of my printers. I've created a replacement in tinkercad and am waiting to get someone to print one for me. Meanwhile with heatshrink and a ziptie, I've actually got it totally working!
I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on reducing the scratching. The thermal head seems to scratch the high gloss finish of the thermal paper and you can easily see the geometric design depicting the path the head took around the page.
I was considering spraying some silicone on a paper towel and wiping the thermal head with it, but I'm not so sure and wanted to run that by smarter people before I do it.
Also, I'd like to share the measurements and specifications, CAD files, and vendor info for all the parts I have to replace (drive coupling, thermal head motor drive gear, belt, etc..) Where is the best place to post and share the info? Maybe right here in this thread?
Thanks,
-Stu
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