Ubuntu and the Brother HL-5370DW

A How To: Ubuntu setup for Brother HL-5370DW Laser Printer

Background

I have been using an old Brother HL-5250DN CAT-5 Networked Laser Printer for a long time, for my Ubuntu Servers and Workstations. But I needed a new second network printer for my shop. To be consistent and compatible I wanted the second printer to be the same as the first. But alas, the HL-5250DN printer is no longer available for purchase. The suggested similar replacement printer is the HL-5370DW, which includes the same USB and LAN interfaces, plus it also contains a Wireless interface. Good, I can advantage of that.

The problem is; the supplied printer documentation is for MS Windows and/or the Mac, nothing for generic use or for Linux style of computers.

I use the current laser printer for general use, and for Hi Resolution Toner Transfer prints which are use for making my Homebrew PCBs.

The Task

I wanted to set up my new Brother HL-5370DW Laser Printer on my Ubuntu network environment via the Wireless interface. Internet searches did not provide much help. But, I know that I need to set up the printer with a "static" network address, so that it's hard-coded address can be used with the Ubuntu Printer Spooler.

But, how do I start? What interface or address should be used for the initial configuration?

With little information available in the supplied documentation, it might suggest using the factory default IP address and/or the USB Interface to connect to the printer, details were very sketchy.

After much Internet searching and spending a lot of time trying many things, the task was actually quit simple, assuming a Wireless Router with DHCP is available.

This post is intended to provide others with an Internet Search result that should be helpful.

• Ensure that DHCP is available from the Wireless Router (details depend on your router)
• Turn on the HL-5370DW Laser Printer
• Press the Network Init Button (via a small hole in the interface face plate on the back of the printer), this may not be needed, but it does not hurt.
• Wait about 30 seconds, for DHCP and the Router to establish a network connection with the printer
• Access your Wireless Router configuration, to list the DHCP assigned address for the printer (details depend on your Wireless Router)
• Access the Printers Web Configuration using the DHCP assigned IP address
• Use the available screens to configure the Wireless SSID and a desired static address
• When the configuration is "saved", the printer will reboot and your browser will be redirected the the new static address, save and exit.
• Now use the normal Linux (Ubuntu) "Printer Config" admin utilities to complete the set up using the static address of the printer

Note: as with all Linux print spoolers, a second cloned printer definition can be very useful. I use a clone (with only slight modification) that allows easy access to pre-configured Hi Resolution Option (1200 x 1200 dpi), as needed for use with the Toner Transfer (TT) Method of PCB creation. I use a third clone to provide Hi Resolution and Mirror of the print, again very useful with TT.

I hope this helpful for someone, or me the next time I attempt this again.

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Trying Direct Laser Print to PCB

I have been investigating Direct Laser Printing to PCB as an etch resist, see previous post.

So far I have not found better results than I obtain with Toner Transfer using Pulsar Transfer Paper, my goal is better-faster-cheaper laser etch resist.

For my tests, I have NOT modified the "HP LaserJet 1300" other than removing the "Fuser" and I have left it plugged in, setting behind the printer. I have been using very thin PCB material so that it will past through the printer with out modifying the paper path (by cutting out plastic).

Without the "Fuser" installed, the resulting prints are very fragile, and as expected the toner can be just dusted or wiped off.

• Printing on paper provides the best very high resolution images,
• Printing onto a Thin PCB Patch mounted on paper with tape - lacks resolution, normal test page solid letters are only outlined
• Printing on a full sheet of a thin Aluminium Carrier (hardware store rain flashing) looks good, but holes are revealed under a Microscope.
• Printing on a Teflon Patch provides very high resolution, similar to paper.

The image on Teflon can be transfer to PCB material via a laminater, but handling the fragile image is problematic, the toner tends to move (fly) around when the PCB material is placed in contact or near the image. I have tried pre-fixing the Teflon image in a toaster oven, which helps. But the need to prefix is as complex as using the standard Toner Transfer method - no gain in effort.

So back to the, . .  Drawing Board

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OK I am Hooked

OK, I am hooked on the idea of laser printing directly to PCB material (see previous post) for my HB projects.

Because of what I have learned by disassembling the HP LaserJet 1300 and looking at the possibility, I decided to return to REPC to pickup two other junked printers of (about) the same type. These two will be used to "experiment on", to make trial cuts for path modification. These are not the exactly the same as the target machine, but the print engines are about the same. These are HP LaserJet 1100's (I think).

I recently took one of the LaserJet 1100 apart to confirm the same print engine and found the "good part" that will be use to repair the 1300.

With time, I will start the process of cutting the "Fuser" baffles to help straighten the "out-bound paper path" through the back of the printer. Also, some cutting or modification of the in-bound paper path may be necessary.

Of course I do not know if this printer will even print on PCB material, once the paper path modifications are made. But I am hopeful.

Some of the attributes that I was looking for in a potential printer for this modification task, was:

• Straight Paper Path (as much as possible)
• PostScript Language
• 1200 DPI
• USB, LAN or WIFI
• there may be others, that I have not learned of yet?

Mark is showing good progress with his efforts., he is the inspiration for my attempt at a similar "Laser Print to PCB" effort. Thanks Mark.


Now,  .  .  .  .  on to the cutting!

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Direct Laser Printed PCB - Maybe?

Mark Lerman, has pioneered a method of PCB Toner Etch Resist, using "Laser printing directly on to PCB" for Homebrew construction. This is similar to Toner Transfer Method, but without the difficult error-prone intermediate step.

He has produced examples showing 3 mil traces that look very impressive.

Available information is coming via the "Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com" mailing list.

His method evolves a laser printer with a straight through print path (E260). He has modified the printer with a high(er) voltage image write cycle and tricks the printer's sensors as necessary.

Update: Mark has abandoned the high(er) voltage modification and said it was not necessary, see his updated documentation.

He plans to document his method as he solidifies elements of the idea.

As someone mentioned on the mailing list; "Direct Laser Print to PCB" is the "holy grail" of the Homebrew PCB Toner Etch Resist Method.  Hopefully it can be perfected.

This is going to be a very interesting project to watch.

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