Need Help JFX200-2513 Constant Negative Pressure Issues

[KeepPunkElite]

First time poster and relatively new sign maker here.

I operate our shop's Mimaki JFX200-2513 and have been doing the normal maintenance on it for the past 8 months. Recently in the past 2 months, I've been having issues with the negative pressure fluctuating between -1.43 and the normal pressure of -2.70. It doesn't go to numbers between, just those two points. The machine will give me a neg pres error message, I'll go to pressure adjust and it'll be stuck on the lower value for a while until it suddenly jumps up to -2.70. It seems totally random whenever it moves between the two. Because of this, I've had ink leakage pooling on both the heads and on the surface below it because there sometimes isn't enough neg pressure to hold in the ink. The situation has deteriorated to the point that a good hour or two of each working day is now dedicated to cleaning the pooled ink or trying to pressure adjust hoping that the Mimaki will fix itself long enough for me to do my orders.

I have been looking into this issue on my downtime. It's not the air filter on the side of the gantry since I've already switched it out for a new one which did nothing. I've installed a new Mp-e106684 Pressure Control Pump Assy which hasn't changed it either. From what I read, it might be an issue with the air solenoid valve, but I'd like to hear from more experienced folks before putting in the order.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I'd probably start with subtanks. Check to see if the filters on the vacuum lines have plugged up with ink as well.

 

[KeepPunkElite]

I'd probably start with subtanks. Check to see if the filters on the vacuum lines have plugged up with ink as well.

Can you please describe where these filters are on the machine or their parts number so I can look them up in the parts manual.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

They're little circle disc filters they install on the clear vacuum lines on top of the head. They don't do much but are designed to plug up if the subtanks overflow to keep ink from getting into the pumps/valves. They look like these guys...

 

[KeepPunkElite]

They're little circle disc filters they install on the clear vacuum lines on top of the head. They don't do much but are designed to plug up if the subtanks overflow to keep ink from getting into the pumps/valves. They look like these guys...

Those were clear when I checked inside the carriage. Actually, after giving it a day or two, the pressure problems have gone away. Maybe the machine needed time to get used to the new pressure control assy? I haven't had any negative pressure issues or leaking on the heads. Though now I have an issue with Y-Current errors during printing.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Might have carriage snagging up a bit, clean and re-lubricate the head carriage rails. Lots of good guides on how to lubricate linear rails on youtube as they are super common in things like newer 3D printers. If you hear grinding or clicking noises from either end, the pulleys might have bad bearing(s) and will need to be swapped.