To keep the printer in optimal condition it is very important to perform printhead and system maintenance regularly. Next to that, this maintenance can be performed at any time to solve quality problems, or after paper jams and crashes.
You can start the maintenance from the operator panel. There are three different ways to perform maintenance:
NOTE
Automatic, manual and periodic maintenance use a more intense purge and wipe to clean the nozzles, which consumes more ink than the purge and wipes taking place during operation .
The maintenance actions are explained in separate maintenance procedure videos, click here to visit or scan the following QR code.
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Maintenance action |
Link to the video |
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Guidelines to Maintain the Print Quality |
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Automatic Nozzle Optimization |
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Clean the Nozzles |
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Clean the Maintenance Station |
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Clean the Matrix Plate |
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Clean the Platen |
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Vacuum the Chiller |
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Clean the Mirrors |
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Clean the M&C Scanner |
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Clean the Printhead Area |
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Clean the buffer plate |
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This is the shortest of the three maintenance procedures. Automatic maintenance is performed fully by the printer, the operator only has to start the procedure. Always start with automatic maintenance first in case of print quality problems.
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Initiated by |
Performed by |
Action |
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Operator |
Printer |
You can select the option [Automatic nozzle optimization]. The actions above are explained in separate maintenance procedure videos, click here to visit. |
When automatic maintenance has not worked sufficiently then start manual maintenance in case of print quality problems. Manual maintenance is mainly done by the operator. Compared to automatic maintenance it contains four additional optional actions. These additional actions of manual maintenance are, clean the maintenance station, clean the matrix plate, clean the M&C scanner, clean the platen and clean the buffer plate. You can also start manual maintenance in case of a paper jam or crash. For more information, see Improve quality.
IMPORTANT
You must clean the matrix plate once a week to guarantee the print quality.
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Initiated by |
Performed by |
Action |
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Operator |
Printer and operator |
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Initiated by |
Performed by |
Action |
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Operator |
Printer and operator |
The printer performs a purge and wipe to clean the nozzles. You can select the option [Automatic nozzle optimization]. The actions above are explained in separate maintenance procedure videos, click here to visit. |
Periodic maintenance is a variety of mandatory maintenance actions that have to be performed by the operator. Periodic maintenance has to be done once a month. The operator panel gives a warning.
Compared to manual maintenance, it contains two additional steps which need to be performed by the operator. These additional steps are, vacuum the chiller and clean the ink unit.
IMPORTANT
You must perform all periodic maintenance once a month (or otherwise specified) when indicated, to guarantee the print quality.
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Initiated by |
Performed by |
Action |
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Printer |
Printer and operator |
The printer performs a purge and wipe to clean the nozzles. You can select the option [Automatic nozzle optimization]. The actions above are explained in separate maintenance procedure videos, click here to visit. |
For more information on how to start automatic, manual and periodic maintenance, see Start automatic maintenance, Start manual maintenance, Start periodic maintenance.
In all three maintenance procedures the nozzles are cleaned by a purge and wipe action. During the purge actions every nozzle is refilled with new ink. The old ink including any pollution will be pushed out to the printhead nozzle plate. Next a wiper removes the ink including the nozzle pollution from the nozzle plate. This results in an optimally cleaned printhead.
In all three maintenance procedures you can select the option [Automatic nozzle optimization].
During printing the system uses a mechanism called PAINt, to check if all nozzles are functioning. If a nozzle is detected as fail, PAINt will compensate this failing nozzle by a good working nozzle. PAINt can detect the majority of the causes for a failing nozzle during the print.
When you enable [Automatic nozzle optimization] the printer will create a test print on which each individual nozzle will print a pattern. A camera will scan the printed pattern. If the camera detects a missing pattern and PAINt did not detect this nozzle as failing, the nozzle will be switched off permanently. The failing nozzle is compensated by another nozzle for all print jobs, which results in an optimum print quality.
Use a smooth, white, opaque, non-reflective media when you select Automatic nozzle optimization.