iO Glider Ring Replacement 99$? what Rip-off?

[Smile]

Just looked today that gretagmacbeth iO Glider Ring Replacement 99$?

And you get 2 plastic rings fot 100 dollars? Why so expensive? Do they live on the moon or something, I think teflon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teflon is not so expensive that it would cost 100$ for just 2 rings of pastic?

Perhaps someone can point me where I can buy then cheaper or explain why are they so expensive?

 

[Grandad35]

Smile,

This site (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/eye-one_iO.html) says: "The glider ring is a 'consumable' item, and will require replacement after several hundred sheets are measured."

Teflon parts like this are expensive because:
1. Many PTFE formulations can't be injection molded in the conventional manner, so they must be machined from either a piece of sheet ot a rod.
2. The quantities are low, so it doesn't pay to set up a custom manufacturing cell to make these types of parts.
3. Spare parts are always a "gotcha", and you have to pay whatever they ask - where else can you buy the parts?

The link shows a photo of a ring, but no details. Could you post several photos of a ring from different angles? If it is flat, you could buy a piece of PTFE sheet (e.g. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/va..._name=12077&product_id=10533&variant_id=45448) and use a "hole saw" to cut out a disk. Failing this, you could always buy some PTFE rod (e.g. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/va..._name=12077&product_id=17262&variant_id=47507) and machine the part on a small lathe (if you know someone who has one).

 

[mikling]

One suggestion though I don't knoiw how well it will work is to use adhesive teflon tape. These are sold typically as mouse "skates" to stick under computer mice either to prevent wear or replace the little feet that wear out. Similar tape is also use in the manufacture of Goretex outerwear where I believe they use it for seaming or sealing.

Just a thought.

 

[Smile]

Smile,

This site (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/eye-one_iO.html) says: "The glider ring is a 'consumable' item, and will require replacement after several hundred sheets are measured."

Teflon parts like this are expensive because:
1. Many PTFE formulations can't be injection molded in the conventional manner, so they must be machined from either a piece of sheet ot a rod.
2. The quantities are low, so it doesn't pay to set up a custom manufacturing cell to make these types of parts.
3. Spare parts are always a "gotcha", and you have to pay whatever they ask - where else can you buy the parts?

The link shows a photo of a ring, but no details. Could you post several photos of a ring from different angles? If it is flat, you could buy a piece of PTFE sheet (e.g. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/va..._name=12077&product_id=10533&variant_id=45448) and use a "hole saw" to cut out a disk. Failing this, you could always buy some PTFE rod (e.g. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/va..._name=12077&product_id=17262&variant_id=47507) and machine the part on a small lathe (if you know someone who has one).

Thanks for your quick reply, unfortunately the ring is not flat, I'll post some photos tomorrow. I've found a local company who makes custom parts from teflon rods, sheets etc. I'm going to give them a call and ask if they a willing to manufacture this thing and how much it would cost. I doubt that they charge more for say 10 pieces than it would cost me to buy just 2 from gretagmacbeth.

It only amazes me that I looked all over google and nobody makes these rings, perhaps there is no market but if you consider savings then it's just plain simple that it even is worth to make just for yourself.

And when we taught ink was overpriced sheesh.....

I wonder how long the white calibration tile lasts, there is no specs about it in the manual, gretagmacbeth site etc. I wonder how much it costs, I mean the white calibration tile for i1 io scanning table? The tricky part is that it has physical contact every time you perform a scan so it will not last forever (just been thinking how to solve this nonsense, - make no contact with the white tile).

 

[Smile]

OK, sorry for the delay, here are the photos:

Photo1 - Top view

Photo2 - Side view

Photo3 - Angle view

Photo4 - Bottom view