[GreenKeys] UGC-136 ribbon status update

Fri Aug 1 09:36:32 EDT 2025

Based on my printing attempts, I’ve made some updates to strengthen the actual printhead area.  If you are using a Bambu XL, you will want to print it in this orientation using Tree supports.  However the biggest challenge is carefully removing the supports near the top.

*	John Toebes
*	Science Olympiad Codebusters – Event Supervisor -  <https://www.soinc.org/codebusters-c> National and  <https://ncscienceolympiad.ncsu.edu/resources/high-school/codebusters/> North Carolina 
*	919-622-2041

From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net <greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Nick England
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 8:58 PM
To: Elijah Johnson <elijahj92 at gmail.com>
Cc: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] UGC-136 ribbon status update

Remember that this ribbon cartridge design has NOT BEEN TESTED on an actual machine yet. 

I will be testing next week and John may revise the design based on those results.

Of course if you want to test, go right ahead and please let us know it goes..

Cheers,

Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com> 

On Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM Elijah Johnson <elijahj92 at gmail.com <mailto:elijahj92 at gmail.com> > wrote:

I was able to download the model as individual STL files for each part, packaged as a ZIP. I'll attach that to this email, hopefully it works for printing.

On 7/30/2025 7:22 PM, John Hargett wrote:

So have tried to look at the Onshape file, and even set up a free account, but unable to load, doesnt matter which browser I am using and even did a  browser check thru onshape and says that it is compatible , never used onshape before, any suggestions?

Can I download the file and open in my 3d print software?

John Hargett
  KG5YLG

On 7/30/2025 2:36 PM, Nick England wrote:

John Toebes has finished the 3D model and says-
------

The model as it stands is public (https://cad.onshape.com/documents/cdc3f96f11393c190fe11103/w/d390734d64166e3974a43552/e/5db85b6313ad37598d4c25e0?renderMode=0 <https://cad.onshape.com/documents/cdc3f96f11393c190fe11103/w/d390734d64166e3974a43552/e/5db85b6313ad37598d4c25e0?renderMode=0&uiState=688a32f04b5cd462bd1047da> &uiState=688a32f04b5cd462bd1047da) 

and if anyone else wants to take a stab at printing or editing, I’m all ears.

---------
John is investigating the best way to print, regarding smoothness, supports, etc.

Michael Katzmann reports on the German eBay ribbons
Note - I think the eBay buy it now price has jumped from $75 to $95 plus shipping.
-------------------------------------
Michael says
   The NCR ribbons from Germany are perfect.
You can see the comparison between the original (that was in the machine for 30 years) and the NOS ribbon I just installed. (the new ink is dark violet).
[yes the photo looks really good - Nick]
Yes, it's pricey ... I paid around $100 (for four) with shipping.
1 item    $55.00
Shipping  $38.28
Tax*      $5.60
Order total  $98.88
(I made an offer and accepted the counter offer of $55 but think the price has gone up since I purchased them)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224506008457

---------------------------------------- 

Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com> 

On Tue, Jul 29, 2025 at 9:52 AM Nick England <navy.radio at gmail.com <mailto:navy.radio at gmail.com> > wrote:

Michael Katzmann has ribbon cartridges on the way from the German eBay source and will let us know if they are the correct ones. They had made it from Germany to NYC at last report. 

John Toebes has completed a 3D model of the ribbon cassette and his test print looks really nice. I will install and test his final version and let everyone know. I’ll also evaluate new ribbon sources. 

Finally, don’t forget to adjust the print head position lever. Mine came with the head fully retracted and I thought “dry ribbon” until I realized what was happening. Now it is very happily printing. 

https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136/print-head-adjust.jpg

I keep adding observations and hints at

https://www.navy-radio.com/tty/ugc136.htm#hints

Cheers

Nick England K4NYW

www.navy-radio.com <http://www.navy-radio.com> 

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