Printer Ribbon Removal Tool

[teenix]

Hi all,

In the past I have used home made bits and pieces to try and remove the ribbon cable from the printer socket on HP-97, etc. I usually use a piece of aluminium cut from a soft drink can which I fold over a few times at one end for strength. I then insert it into the socket and remove the cable. Unfortunately this can also get stuck in the socket and needs something else to remove it.

I sat down and examined the socket contacts as best as I could and found a better way to remove the cable and as a bonus the tool will not get stuck in the socket after the ribbon cable is removed. I'm not sure if this has been done before, but here goes.

I used some plastic cut to size from one of those cheap disposable food containers. It is rigid enough for the job and just thick enough. Metal could also be used if it was the same thickness and all rough edges removed.

The dimensions of the tool are shown in the attached image.

If you look at the printer circuit board from the component side, the contacts which grip the cable are located on the socket top side furthest from the circuit board. It is the ends of these contacts that bite down and grip the ribbon cable and won't let it come out.

To remove the ribbon cable, insert the tool end marked "remove" into the ribbon cable socket between these contacts and the ribbon cable. The shoulders on the tool only allow it to be inserted about 3mm into the socket. This has the effect of pushing the contacts away from the ribbon cable but it is not long enough to extend beyond the end of the contacts.

The ribbon cable can now be removed.

When it comes time to reinsert the cable, push the tool end marked "insert" into the fold in the cable and push the cable back into the socket.

I assume it will work on other printer boards. If I get feedback that it does, I will add the design to my Classic Notes PDF.

cheers

Tony