Clean the matrix plate

Introduction

The printheads are located in the matrix plate. The matrix plate needs to be cleaned regularly.

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. To guarantee the print quality it is recommended to clean the matrix plate once a week. Cleaning the matrix plate is the first part of this procedure, step 1 to step 10.

Video: Clean the matrix plate.

Before you begin

Use Colorado 1650 prescribed:

Microflex gloves for handling ink
Foams and swabs
Matrix plate cleaning tool
Cleaning liquid (Cleaner MB - methyl benzoate)

NOTE

For information on the prescribed maintenance materials, see List of Colorado 1650 maintenance materials.

IMPORTANT

There are 2 types of swabs. The cleaning procedure depends on the width of the swab.

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

Start the maintenance action via the operator panel. For more information, see Start manual maintenance or Start periodic maintenance.
Put on the Colorado 1650 approved gloves.
Take a new and clean piece of matrix plate cleaning foam and put it in the holder of the cleaning tool.
Take the matrix plate cleaning tool, go to the media input side and locate the manual maintenance door on the left.
Open the media cover (1) and lift the lever of the manual maintenance door on the left (2).
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.
Locate the matrix plate in the compartment.
Place the matrix plate cleaning tool against the matrix plate. Position it correctly with the arrows facing you, as illustrated.
Press the cleaning tool against the matrix plate.
IMPORTANT
Press until you lift the printhead carriage up very lightly. When you press too hard you will damage the printheads and carriage.
1. Make sure all sides of the tool press against the matrix plate.
  Only when you place the cleaning tool correctly you will hear a beep-beep signal.
2. Hold the cleaning tool in place for at least 24 seconds until you hear a long beep signal.

Take out the matrix plate cleaning tool and check the stamp on the foam for ink accumulation.

	When accumulated ink between the printheads is visible, you have to perform the cleaning action again from step 8 with a new foam. See the spots within the red circles in the illustration.
	When only a light stamp mark is visible on the foam, you can continue the cleaning action.
	When the stamp mark density is not uniform on the foam replace the foam and use the tool again. In this example you see that you have applied more pressure at the right-hand side of the foam. You have to perform the cleaning action again from step 8 with a new foam.
	When the stamp mark density is not uniform on the foam replace the foam and use the tool again. In this example you see that you have applied more pressure at the top side of the foam.

Take a Colorado 1650 approved swab. Swabs come in 2 sizes:
- Wide TX714A swab
- Narrow TX761 swab
Clean the matrix plate, until all residue ink is gone (red indicated area).
IMPORTANT
Do not touch the nozzle plates of the printhead. When you touch the nozzle plates you can damage the printhead.

Always wipe with the swabs away from you to minimize the risk of touching the nozzles. Never clean in the opposite direction (towards you).

Narrow swab

Wide swab

If you use a narrow swab, hold the swab sideways.

If you use a wide swab, hold the swab upright.
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.
Dampen a new swab with the cleaning liquid cleaner MB and clean the plate again to remove any remaining or non-visible ink.
Locate the black protection cover and inspect if it is polluted with ink, media dust or fibers.
In case of pollution, take a new swab and clean the black protection cover especially the protruding parts (red indicated area).
Only when necessary, dampen a new swab with the cleaning liquid cleaner MB and clean the polluted parts of the black protection cover again.
Make sure that all residue ink is removed.
Remove all tools from the machine and dispose the gloves, foam and swabs as chemical waste according to local regulations.
Close the manual maintenance door and the media cover.
IMPORTANT
Make sure all covers are closed correctly to prevent cured ink in your system.
On the operator panel tap [Completed] to end the maintenance action.