HP DesignJet 500 Single Sheet Load Guide Rail

thingiverse

This single sheet load guide rail for the HP DesignJet 500 printer helps to maximize the single sheet loading accuracy and repeatability. Without it, the accuracy depends on judging the alignment using the blue indicator line. With the guide rail, the accuracy does not depend on optical judgement anymore. Instead, the sheet merely needs to make contact with the guide rail throughout its length to achieve a high level of accuracy that is repeatable. The guide rail is particularly useful for manual duplex printing, where two pages need to be aligned. I used the tool to print invitations. *Installation* Installing the guide rail can be unexpectedly difficult because it's a snug fit to ensure printer alignment accuracy. By adjusting the orientation while moving the guide rail to its final position, the installation can be completed without the removal of any printer parts except for the existing screw used to mount the guide rail permanently (see photo). *Operating Instructions* While the guide rail is installed, the printer paper cutter **must not** be used because its path is blocked by the guide rail. The guide rail design is a compromise between alignment accuracy and compatibility/flexibility. Unless you frequently switch between single sheets and rolls, this is not a major issue.