MAINTENANCE
5-2 EPT024619 Issue 1 June 2016
INK CARTRIDGE MAINTENANCE
Ink Cartridge Storage
Interruptions to the printing cycle can affect the print quality. After
prolonged periods of inactivity ink will begin to evaporate and cure on the
nozzle plate and in the nozzle chamber. This blocks the chamber and can
either restrict the firing of the ink drops or cause them to deviate from their
correct course.
Each type of ink, aqueous and ethanol based, have different De-Cap times:
For aqueous inks with short periods of inactivity, typically breaks in the
printing cycle for less than 2 hours, no measures are required and the
cartridge can remain in the print head.
For ethanol inks the De-Cap time can vary depending on the ink being
used; typically they will require capping for between 10 to 60 minutes of
inactivity during the printing cycle. For a perfect first print, wipe the nozzle
face with a dry, lint-free tissue before starting operations again and/or print
a couple of test messages. Purge settings can also be written into the
operations, which would lessen the need for wiping.
For both types of ink, for periods of inactivity longer than stated above, the
cartridge should be removed and the cap placed on the nozzles to stop the
ink from drying. When starting operations for the first time after an extended
break, wipe the nozzle face and print a couple of test prints before
resuming.
Room temperature has an influence on the behaviour of the fluid dynamics
of the ink - cartridges should always be operated within the temperature
ranges as specified on the MSDS.
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