Ink System Overview

The printer’s ink system consists of three main components:

Ink reservoir — a plastic box containing the ink supply and an electronic profiler, which specifies the ink type, color, and amount remaining. The profiler plugs into a connector on the ink tray, allowing it to communicate with the printer and print server. The reservoir is self-contained and seals auto- matically for easy handing.

Ink tube — carries the ink from the reservoir to the print- head, self-sealing on both ends for ease of handling.

Printhead — delivers the ink to the media.

Each of these components can be replaced independently of the others. This enables you to consume the ink from two or more reservoirs before replacing the printhead when an excessive number of clogged jets cannot be recovered with priming or cleaning. The ink tubes need not be replaced unless you switch ink types (for example, from a dye ink to a pigmented ink, or to a different set of colors), or if a tube becomes damaged.

Fig. 3-1. Ink system components

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Ink System Overview