One day, I found a very good looking deal on eBay for a pack of black ink sticks for ColorQube 8570 at a much lower price than I thought was possible. Thinking it was a closeout deal or something, I chose to 'buy it now' without a second thought. Only after receiving the ink sticks I noticed the description on the item description section that the ink sticks were intended for 'metered' printers. I also found out the bottom of ink sticks are coded in a way to prevent metered ink sticks from used on unmetered printers and vice versa.
For those who do not have a clue, 'metered' printers are exact same Xerox ColorQube printers with different pricing (much higher printer price with much lower supply cost). Xerox apparently decided to use two different pricing structure for general consumers and business customers as their needs are different.
Anyway, since it was apparent I couldn't use the ink sticks as the printer didn't welcome them with a positive message nor let me slide them down the ink stick lane, I had to find a way to get around it. The eBay page I had bought them from also had a note that I couldn't return them. Yes, all sale was final.
The first method I thought of was using heat to cut out the coded part on the bottom to make the code match that of unmetered ink sticks. This generally was a hit or miss as the sensor in the ink stick cabin wouldn't let the ink stick to pass the inspection slot most of the time, depend on the detail of the work I had done to the ink sticks. This also involved heating up a knife using a lighter, cutting out a chunk of ink stick, and detailing which would create a mess on the knife and my hands.
Frustrated, I began to think of a better way to circumvent the detection mechanism, observing how the printer detects ink sticks. After some time, I noticed I could use a really simple method to let the metered ink sticks go down the lane. The things you need? A set of unused, unmetered ink sticks and a moderate length stick(or anything that is thin and sturdy enough to hold down something).
Here's how:
1. Take note of the location of the gate that blocks the ink stick.
2. Place an unmetered ink stick in one of the drop holes, but hold the top with your fingers so that it doesn't slide down after the sensor check.
2. Place an unmetered ink stick in one of the drop holes, but hold the top with your fingers so that it doesn't slide down after the sensor check.
3. When you hear the 'click' that opens the gate that blocks ink sticks, use a stick to hold the gate down.
4. Remove the unmetered ink stick and drop in the same colored metered ink stick in the drop hole.
5. This can be a little tricky, but you can do it if you are any person older than 2 years of age - put a finger on top of the ink stick and move it down the lane while keeping the gate down as long as possible.
6. The ink stick will pass over the gate and go down the lane. You will have to remove the stick that holds the gate down at some point after part of the ink stick passes over the gate.
7. Now close the ink compartment door. The printer will work as normal.
My only concern is that I do not have definite information on melting temperature differences between the two ink stick groups if any. Fortunately, however, I have not had any issue due to this procedure so far and enjoying the new option in buying Xerox ColorQube ink sticks. :)
Legal stuff (Yup. Need to put this here in case :) ) : If you do try this method, please note you are doing it at your own risk.
