The Spit Catcher consists of a slotted cover for the Maintenance Station drawer and a foam pad that is held in place under the drawer. The Spit Catcher is necessary for IJC255 white ink and also for all five of the newer Océ IJC256 inks. These inks require a small jetting actions (“spitting”) between printing times to keep the printheads in a ready-to-print state. This spitting action uses very little ink but does require that the operator clean the maintenance tray cover more frequently.
Over time and with use, the inks can develops particles that can interfere with the internal jetting action of the nozzles in the printheads. If the flow of ink is restricted, print quality can be reduced. Therefore, for the inks that require it, spitting happens on a regular basis. A foam pad located on the underside of the maintenance drawer absorbs this small amount of ink.
NOTE
Although the carriage is oriented so that the nozzles spit into the slots in the spit catcher, some ink will find it way onto the flat surface of the maintenance station drawer. Check the surface of the maintenance station when you perform the daily printhead maintenance. If you see any ink wipe it up with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Spitting only jets a small amount of ink, but eventually it will accumulate in the foam pad to a point of saturation. This is a consumable item so see your local sales representative to order it.
NOTE
Be sure to keep the maintenance drawer closed (except when you do the printhead maintenance) so that exposure to light does not cure any accumulated ink.
Change Spit Catcher Pad
Close Spit Catcher