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Project
Proposal: Orangic Printer Ink
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Full description of problem/need |
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Currently Vyghan Ashram uses a Hewlett
Packard printer (model Officejet 6110
All-In-One) and acquires its ink cartridges
by post from MIT free of charge. This
arrangement is not sustainable in
the long term. If it was to acquire
cartridges from Pune it would be both
expensive and troublesome. Organic
inks should be developed locally,
instead. The final product must be
of the correct consistency and particle
size to pass through the ink jet nozzles
and have a reasonable drying time.
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| How will the local
community use the proposed solution? |
Cheap methods of
printing will allow the community to
conveniently acquire and distribute
information from the internet. Cheap
printing will also allow general ease
in information distribution to the community
and elsewhere.
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| Estimate of the economic
benefit anticipated and plans for training
of the local community? What are the
major impacts on such a project? |
| The local community
will save significant amounts of money
by producing ink locally rather than
purchasing and transporting it from
Pune. The process of manufacturing organic
ink from local materials may create
jobs. Eventually, the organic ink may
also be an export of Pabal, which would
help the community economically. Using
organic inks rather than ready-to-use
cartridges will reduce waste by eliminating
the need to dispose of used cartridges.
Vigyan Ashram will probably be the
initial producer of ink and will hopefully
train others to manufacture the ink
in the future.
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| Full description of
the local situation (e.g. social, economic,
geographical, political) |
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There is currently no organic ink-making
process present in Pabal. Ink is purchased
in Pune and transported to Pabal,
making it too expensive to be used
as required.
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| Full description of
relevant infrastructure available locally
and/or internationally |
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Refillable cartridges could be developed
or readily bought, with the refill
inks manufactured locally. Local flowers
could be crushed and extracted for
pigments in local laboratories (see
photos below). Spices and Rangoli
chalk (a combination of dust and pigment
inks that is applied on the ground
for decorative purposes) are also
possible materials with which inks
could be derived (see top left photo
below). Berries can be used for a
similar purpose (see bottom right
below). Further chemicals (solvents
and fixatives) may need to be acquired
from Pune.
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