That is super cool, my ribbon bleeds onto the paper when left idle, I am curious if a manufactured ribbon would have the same issue. 

It seems like a tension problem, the second blade you sent helped, but keeping it from making contact with the paper at all and still getting good print quality is tricky.

-Eric


On Sat, Jan 31, 2026, 7:02 PM Nick England via GreenKeys <greenkeys@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
Yes, this week I’ve been corresponding with a Navy contractor (SRC) tasked with coming up with a solution for the ones still in use aboard missile subs. He’s pretty delighted that we’ve already done all the work! I’ve given them the 3D files and the ribbon manufacturer contact and he’s already ordered some. I sent him one of our 3D printed versions to test. 

Not sure what we’ll get out of it other than a Bravo Zulu. Maybe a source for ribbons for the future. I’m going to ask for a photo of the UGC-136 in use aboard a sub, but probably they are a little funny about photos there….

Cheers,
Nick England K4NYW
Chapel Hill NC
www.navy-radio.com


On Sat, Jan 31, 2026 at 7:44 PM Daniel Jones <djones@k6yic.com> wrote:
Thanks again for more great info Nick,

I remember you said the Navy had reached out to you looking for ribbons?  Are they still utilizing these machines and did they ever request any of these new designed ones?

Daniel


www.K6YIC.com
DJones@K6YIC.com
HH#11973

On Jan 31, 2026, at 16:12, Nick England via GreenKeys <greenkeys@mailman.qth.net> wrote:


I think this will work for replacing the ribbon in an original UGC-136 cartridge. Either a new ribbon or remove, re-ink and replace an old one. 

The 3D-printed cartridges don’t need this mod, because we changed the design from the original. 

Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com
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