JV400lx keeps loosing full ink cartridge overnight

[360wrapsOZ]

Hi everyone I’m Will and new to the forum. Over the last few days I’ve become a broken man. My mimaki jv400-160lx printer has dropped 6 cartridges of ink into the waste tank. I can’t figure out why, has anyone else had this happen to them? It looks like it just keeps leaking while it’s on the capping station. It only drops the cyan and magenta colours.

The other thing I’ve noticed is that while printing those two colours will print good until it does its mid print cleans then for the next ten or so lines it prints shocking then comes good again. Any help would be much appreciated

Cheers Will

 

[Pitzu]

Hello Will,

you should check the dampers.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

Thanks Pitzu, I have had a look at them but cant see anything wrong with them and wouldn't have a clue on how to test them. I've contacted Mimaki and they are troubleshooting. A few things came to light yesterday and I found out that an air purge was performed a couple of days before this started to happen. It threw a quick 61a error ink over full. I have ask Mimaki if the capping station is meant to constantly drain, as in the pumps just allow fluid to go straight through them even though they are not on. I figure that it could have a siphon effect happening? The other thing is that shouldn't the ink side of the machine have a solenoid that shuts off the ink when not in use?

When a head fails will it still print really nice? cause Mimaki has pointed at the head but at $4500 that's something I would consider a last resort for troubleshooting.

Thanks for the comment, going to find some info on checking dampers.

 

[Pitzu]

The siphon effect crossed my mind, but I didn't see it possible, since, as you also stated, there should be a solenoid valve somewhere (usually between the cartridge and the subtank).
Probably, it empties all the ink from the subtank, and that could be much. I don't know what amount of ink you lose overnight.
Something went wrong during the air purge or you still have some air in the ink line. The 61a error is related to the damper (but also can be a malfunction somewhere along the ink supply), as you can see in the operation manual, page 146 (at the bottom, where it says IMPORTANT).

JV400LX Series Product MIMAKI

I don't think the print head is the problem but something along the ink system, air along the ink line causing false readings from sensors and not closing some valves, capping station, ink pumps,.etc. making the siphon effect possible.
Mimaki is highly automated, with lots of sensors and automated tasks. I wouldn't be surprised if it tells you what you served for dinner.

 

[Pricey]

HI Mate
I have a JV400suv which I think is basically the same machine just different inks. Maybe I am wrong but they do look the same.
I do have a service manual.
These machines have Sub tanks. Error 61A on my service manual says .

1. Check that ink did not flow into the air pressure path. If ink flowed into, filter replacement and path cleaning are required.
   
   
2. Perform [MAINTENANCE SUB TANK].
   Check that it has been discharged to the middle status.
   
   
3. With [[HASHTAG]#TEST[/HASHTAG] SENSOR], check the detection status of the target sensor.
   
   
4. Replace the Liquid level detection sensor.
   
   
5. Replace the Subtank.
   
   
6. Check that the cartridge valve is not open. (Because ink flows into the sub-tank due to head difference.)
   

 

[Pitzu]

HI Mate
I have a JV400suv which I think is basically the same machine just different inks. Maybe I am wrong but they do look the same.
I do have a service manual.
These machines have Sub tanks. Error 61A on my service manual says .

1. Check that ink did not flow into the air pressure path. If ink flowed into, filter replacement and path cleaning are required.
   
   
2. Perform [MAINTENANCE SUB TANK].
   Check that it has been discharged to the middle status.
   
   
3. With [[HASHTAG]#TEST[/HASHTAG] SENSOR], check the detection status of the target sensor.
   
   
4. Replace the Liquid level detection sensor.
   
   
5. Replace the Subtank.
   
   
6. Check that the cartridge valve is not open. (Because ink flows into the sub-tank due to head difference.)

In the jv400lx operation manual it's a little bit different. It says "Error 618 to 61b are errors related to the damper". But what you said is quite possible.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

Thanks so much guys. I was leaning towards an air leak and I think I found it today. I removed the cover that’s over the air purge covers and found the printer in a state of dispair from lack of maintenance second thing I noticed was air in the lines. I removed one of the caps and found a lot a goo inside the base of that cap which I think was stopping a sufficient seal. I cleaned it best I could. I have got more ink arriving tomorrow so will report back then.

 

[Pitzu]

Nicely done! That must be it.
Keep us posted.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

Ink went in this afternoon so we will see if it's fixed in morning. Did an air purge and clean (wow that using a ton of ink) and it's printing again. Only now I'm getting these weird lines. I'm using rasterlink 6 uni 24 pass. Any ideas? Also I can only choose 900x900 no option for 1200x1200 which I know the printer in capable of.

 

[Pitzu]

The photos are blurred...I can't see much...but it could be banding
What temperatures do you have on heaters?

 

[360wrapsOZ]

so my initial problem is still not fixed and I lost 50% of the cartridges overnight (not printing). Its doing my head in. heres a pic of the dampers position. the magenta and cyan which I'm having issues with, have a different position to the yellow and black. Temps on heater are Pre 48C, print 50C, post 70C

 

[Pitzu]

The dampers seem to be ok.
Can you put some pictures with the capping station, ink pumps?
Check if the air you've found last time is back in the lines.
Also, check what Pricey said in the comment above (ink getting into the air pressure circuit or into the air purge valve, air purge valve not closed).

 

[360wrapsOZ]

found whats happening no idea how to fix it. any ideas? it does this every 30 minute when it turns itself on to self clean.

thanks Pitzu, the air that was there before hasn't come back. I'll look info about the air pressure circuit, I'm no tech so this is a massive learning curve for me.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

I can only find info about a subtank and air pressure for the UV printer but nothing for latex

 

[Pitzu]

You leave the printer on during the night? It might be set to do auto cleaning at 30 minutes interval. Auto cleaning at 30 minutes interval would explain why you lose so much ink overnight.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

yeah its off but still switched on at wall and it does a clean every 30mins

 

[Pitzu]

You should check the auto cleaning menu:

Setting Auto Cleaning - Mimaki JV400-130LX Operation Manual [Page 68]

30 minutes is a way too short interval.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

that menu says page interval. mine is set to 1000page normal clean

 

[Pitzu]

You mentioned about a 61a error - it could be related to this 30 minutes cycle.

In the manual it says:
If “Error 61a” has occurred during printing or waiting, “damper” of the MAINTENANCE MENU is
performed automatically

When Error 618 To 61b Occur - Mimaki JV400-130LX Operation Manual [Page 146]

A sensor could be malfunctioning, sub tank full level sensor malfunction, damper fill sensor malfunction.

Probably a maintenance cycle is not finished due to an error and starts over again.

Could be many things.

You might need a technician onsite to look into it.

 

[360wrapsOZ]

ok well its finally fixed. Pitzu you were right about the 61a error being the issue I purchased the service manual and found that performing a damper maintenance function clears the error. dampers are now full and staying full. Thank you so much for helping me I really appreciate it.