I'd like to hack my adafruit thermal printer slightly. I want to remove the top bezel and shave off the lengthwise edges to get the printer to fit in a project I'm working on. Any advice on getting the bezel off? Do I just pry at it, or will it fall apart if I do?
How will the printer react if I make the print roll a little shorter? Let's assume that I can do that without causing feed issues.
Thanks,
John
Thermal Printer
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- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88088
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Re: Thermal Printer
I have not disassembled one, but you should be able to trim the bezel flange with a fine-toothed flush-cut saw without removing it. Just tape over the openings to keep the dust out of the works. I don't think the print-head will have a problem with a narrower roll.
- p25486
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Re: Thermal Printer
I plan on removing the metal plate from the back too. It does not appear to act as a heat sink. The project will contain the printer, so there's no worry of exposed circuits on the box itself. The plate weighs a lot, and I'm trying to keep the weight down.
I note that there's a lot of open space on either side of the printing mechanism. if I relocate the LED and button, I could cut things down a lot more than I had planned. I'll take photos.
I note that there's a lot of open space on either side of the printing mechanism. if I relocate the LED and button, I could cut things down a lot more than I had planned. I'll take photos.
- p25486
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Re: Thermal Printer
I did it. Removed the switch and LED, then I drilled holes in a line from the back (metal plate removed) to mark the paper door mechanism. Then used a fine toothed hack saw to cut off 3/8" or so on both ends. It still works, and fits fine.
I will remount the LED and switch in a diffefent way.
I will remount the LED and switch in a diffefent way.
- p25486
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Re: Thermal Printer
Here's images of what I did.
- Attachments
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- After the cut, taped to keep dust out of the mechanism.
- AfterTaped_sm.JPG (111.21 KiB) Viewed 1034 times
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- Here's the rear wiew with the metal plate removed.
- BackBefore_sm.JPG (125.7 KiB) Viewed 1034 times
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- Before the cutting.
- before_sm.JPG (109.8 KiB) Viewed 1034 times
- p25486
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Re: Thermal Printer
Here's the finished unit after the cut. It still works. I suppose my warranty is void.
- Attachments
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- ItWorks_sm.JPG (98.69 KiB) Viewed 1033 times
- p25486
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:41 pm
Re: Thermal Printer
Opps, forgot this one, you can see how much I cut.
- Attachments
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- RearTaped_sm.JPG (114.55 KiB) Viewed 1031 times
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- Posts: 23
- Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:17 am
Re: Thermal Printer
interesting, thanks for the post
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.