Since getting an MCP-40 (actually two now), I've been looking for paper and pens to use with it, but I didn't want to pay too much for single use pens. I've heard from several attempts at using ball pens but didn't find anything convincing.
I had a try myself but it wasn't convincing either, spilling over the internals.
Since then we opened
a fablab close to home, and I started with 3D-printing things. I searched for existing models, but
the only 3D model I found was never finished. So I started doing one with OpenSCAD last November at the
MicroAlchimie. After several iterations I now have something that seems usable and reproducible enough, and started making kits, even sold three of them at the last Visu in Paris, 10€ each.
The goal is to use Bic 4-colors pens that are quite cheap, and allow refilling by reusing the ink tube we cut out. The kit contains 4 color holders, and two extra, plus a cutting jig to slice the ink tube properly, and a paper clip to help extract it when it's empty, all inside a zippable bag to allow storing them without spilling outside.
I'm waiting for returns from the first users, then I'll start selling some before publishing the design.
The manual is already online.
See also
the topic on the Silicium forum.
