How Automatic Print Head Cleaning Works

Each time you turn on the printer it goes through a brief cleaning cycle in which cleaning solvent is sprayed through the nozzles. When you turn the printer off, it cleans itself again.

Moreover, during printing the SQ-2000 periodically pauses for a few moments to clean the print head’s lower nozzles, which don’t get used as much and are more liable to become clogged.

A reservoir contained in the disposable ink cartridge supplies the cleaning solvent. Used solvent flows back into the cartridge to a separate location.

Ink is also kept from accidentally drying in the nozzles by another automatic feature: Any time the printing stops for a minute or more, the print head returns to its storage position and the nozzles are automatically capped.

Caution:

Never unplug or otherwise turn off the printer without first switching it off using the main power switch.

Turning off the printer from a remote source defeats the automatic cleaning operation and can permit ink to dry in the ink nozzles. If this occurs, the print head may be damaged and have to be replaced.

For this reason, avoid plugging the printer into an outlet which is controlled by a wall switch or similar switch.

Cleaning the print head while printing

Occasionally you may want to give the print head an additional cleaning while engaged in printing.

First, make sure the printer is off-line. Clean the print head by pressing the CLEANING button for a few moments, then releas- ing. This makes the printer go through its cleaning cycle for about 15 seconds. (see Figure 4-l).

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