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Clean the matrix plate area and the black protection cover

Introduction

The area around the matrix plate must be cleaned regularly. This includes the anti-reflective strips and mirror edges.

NOTE

The operator panel gives a warning to perform this procedure at least once a month, and depending on the ink usage, between 7 and 30 days.

During the use of the printer, dust and fibers from the media can accumulate on the edges of the anti-reflective strips and mirrors of the printhead carriage. If these fibers touch the surface of the paper during printing, they can wipe through the uncured ink and can cause print quality issues.

These print quality issues can easily be mistaken for printhead issues, as these fibers are stuck to the carriage. To prevent unnecessary service calls or printhead replacements, the edges of the anti-reflective strips and mirrors need to be cleaned regularly.

Video: Clean the matrix plate

Before you begin

Use Colorado M-series prescribed:

  • Microflex gloves for handling ink

  • Swabs

  • Cleaning liquid (Cleaner MB - methyl benzoate)

  • Cleaner IPA

NOTE

For information on the prescribed maintenance materials, see List of Colorado M-series maintenance materials.

CAUTION

Wear the prescribed gloves when contact with ink or maintenance materials is possible. Gloves should always overlap sleeves. Follow the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) guidelines carefully in order to ensure maximum safety.

IMPORTANT

Use the prescribed cleaning liquid. Do not use any other cleaners.

Procedure

  1. Start the maintenance action via the operator panel. For more information, see Start manual maintenance or Start periodic maintenance.
  2. Put on the Colorado M-series approved gloves.
  3. Go to the media input side and locate the manual maintenance door on the left.
  4. Open the media cover (1) and lift the lever of the manual maintenance door on the left (2). Close the cover before starting the maintenance to avoid bumping into it.
  5. Open the manual maintenance door (3). A light is switched on.
    IMPORTANT

    Do not use any external light source to prevent curing of the ink and damage to the printheads.

  6. Locate the matrix plate in the compartment.
  7. Take a Colorado M-series approved swab.
  8. Dampen the swab with cleaner MB and clean the dummy printheads, until all visible residue ink is gone.

    Depending on the printer configuration there are 3 or 4 dummy printheads.

    • Do not touch the active printheads. When you touch them, you could damage the printheads.

    • Never put the swab between a printhead and the matrix plate area.

  9. Dampen a new swab with cleaner MB and clean the outer edge of the matrix plate until all visible residue ink is gone.
    IMPORTANT

    • Make sure to end the cleaning procedure within 5 minutes, when you use the cleaning liquid. The printer has to perform automatic maintenance after, to make sure the cleaning liquid does not damage the printheads.

    • Use as many swabs as necessary.

  10. Locate the black protection cover and inspect if it is polluted with ink, media dust or fibers.
  11. In case of pollution, take a new swab and clean the black protection cover especially the protruding parts (red indicated area).
  12. Only when necessary, dampen a new swab with the cleaner IPA and clean the polluted parts of the black protection cover again.
  13. Make sure that all residue ink is removed.
  14. Use a lint free cloth with cleaner IPA to clean the edges of the left mirrors.
  15. Use a lint free cloth with cleaner IPA to clean the left black anti-reflective strip.
  16. Use a lint free cloth with cleaner IPA to clean the edges of the right mirror and the right anti-reflective strip.
  17. Dispose the gloves and swabs as chemical waste according to local regulations.
  18. Close the manual maintenance door and the media cover.
    IMPORTANT

    Make sure all covers are closed correctly to prevent cured ink in your system.

  19. On the operator panel tap [Completed]  to end the maintenance action.
Parent topic:
Maintain the print quality
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