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Zcorp Z402 project

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 7:28 pm
by emptyset
I recently acquired a pair of Z402 printers with depowdering chamber. I am planning to post pictures of the inside for those interested. Pictures to come.

Re: Zcorp Z402 project

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:31 pm
by Wonko
Good luck with it. I have had one for 10 years or so. The printhead are made from Unobtainium. The ribbon cables to the printhead usually rot away from the binder chemicals. The harddrive in the DOS circuit board in the back of the machine will probably not last very long, so you should make a disk image of that hard drive before you try anything else. Then get an IDE-to-CompactFlash adapter and flash the harddrive image on it and replace the HD with the CompactFlash card.

Most of the chips on the head driver PCB are replaceable, which you may or may not have to do. The binder lines are usually clogged and glued shut. Some or all of the lines, connectors, and electromechanical pump and switches may need to be replaced. You probably should also remove all powder everywhere in the machine. I do remember that there were some issues with the communications port as well but i don't know the details anymore.

Anyway, best of luck with your new machine. Please keep the photos and rebuild report coming. If your printer still uses the Canon BC-20 ink heads, I may still have two or so sitting around, maybe even the ribbon cable.

Re: Zcorp Z402 project

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:53 pm
by dragonator
Sounds motivating.

I will be very interested in how Zcorp solved a lot of the powder and inkjet related problems. I think I still can learn a lot from these machines. Lets hope at least one will manage to print, if for reference sake only.

Re: Zcorp Z402 project

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 7:15 pm
by Wonko
Mine did print a Sake Sugar model years ago. If you like, @dragonator, you can come over to Düsseldorf and take a very close look at and inside the machine and all its working parts... . No clue where @emptyset is located though ;-)

Re: Zcorp Z402 project

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:53 am
by dragonator
Dusseldorf is still a manageable distance for me, I would love to come over some time.