Idle Jet Maintenance

Due to the evaporation of the solvents in solvent-based inks, the ink jets in solvent printers are susceptible to clogging. To minimize jet-outs, keep the printer printing and clean, and use the printer’s jet maintenance features.

The following table shows the recommended maintenance schedule while the printer is idle. See Chapter 5, Maintaining the Printer, for a complete listing of recommended maintenance to keep the printer operating well and covered by the manufacturer ’s warranty.

Time Period

Recommended Maintenance

 

 

1 hour

When not printing while the printheads are uncapped, a small amount of

 

ink is expelled (spit) periodically into the spittoons, which drain into the

 

excess ink containers.

 

See “Checking Jet Health” on page 3-7for instructions on using Purge-n-

 

Wipe and AutoJet. See “AutoTune” on page 4-4for instructions on schedul-

 

ing Purge-n-Wipe and AutoJet to run automatically.

 

 

Momentary Power Down

If the power must be removed for a brief period of time, leave the carriage

 

over the service station (not the capping station) to allow the ink, which will

 

no longer be held inside the printheads by the vacuum/pressure system, to

 

drain into the excess ink reservoir. Power up the printer as soon as possible

 

and cap the printheads if the printer will be idle for 4 hours or more.

 

 

2 hours to 4 days

Cap the printheads to prevent drying and conserve ink (idle spit is sus-

 

pended during capping). See “Capping the Printheads” on page 3-13for

 

instructions.

 

This capping period can successfully extended if every four days the print-

 

heads are uncapped, purged to recover missing jets, prime bars or other

 

print is made, and recapped.

 

 

 

For best results, do not allow the printer to remain capped for more than 4 days; oth-

 

erwise, extensive cleaning of the printheads may be required. If the printer must

 

remain capped longer than four days (such as during a long holiday weekend, for

 

shipping, or storage), follow the applicable procedure below:

4 - 14 days

Cap the printheads as described in “Capping the Printheads” on page 3-13.

 

 

14 - 30 days

Fill the printheads with cleaning solvent and cap the printheads with a sol-

 

vent-soaked pad. See Cleaning Solvent Soak on page 5-8for instructions.

 

 

30 days or more

Flush the printheads with cleaning solvent, empty the printheads, and cap.

 

See “Extended Power Down and Restart” on page 5-21for instructions.

 

 

Idle Jet Maintenance

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