Hi everyone. Ive searched and tried everything I could find. I had an issue with my heads drying out so I changed the cap tops, wipers, scraper, dampers, sponges, and upgraded to the new pump and install kit. I also upgraded the pump and firm wear in the machine. Im still having the heads dry out. Im pulling my hair out on this one. Ive had the machine for 6 years with no issues and maintain it regularly. I bought the copy version of the new style pump from Digiprint Supplies , not the roland brand (soljet Pump (Assy Sub XC-540) - 6700319010). Has anyone else tried this pump for quality. Is there something Im missing? Air from somewhere must be getting into the system to be drying these out but where? Only thing I can think of is the cheaper $40 pump is garbage or maybe the diaphragm on the heads possibly cracked which I doubt because its both heads drying out. or the captops adjustment is off. I notice that the cap station brings the caps to the heads and keeps going and compresses the springs down. Im not sure if that is normal. Does anyone have any thoughts. Also I used all Roland products except for the pump.
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SP 300V Issues after maintenance and pump upgrade
- Thread starter sidcon
- Start date
Move the print heads to the left in the manual cleaning position. Use a mirror and a flashlight to see the ink imprint of the cap tops on the head. It it centered? Does it overlap the chrome ring around the edge of the head? This can cause a break in the seal. If there is no ink imprint, paint some waste ink around the very edge of the caps, the doc the heads, and them put them over to the left and look at the ink imprint.
Pump: Detach the cap lines from the pump. Get some waste ink or alcohol and a plastic cup. Put the pump line from the caps into the waste ink or alcohol container. Put the other container where the waste ink bottle is normally. Run regular cleaning to see if the pump draws the ink or alcohol and spits it into the temporary waste container.
You can check with a mechanics stethoscope to hear air hissing around the heads when you do a cleaning.
You can use a syringe to draw ink from each cap manually. If you cannot draw ink, or you draw air, there is a problem. Do not pull too hard or too fast as this may damage the head.
I wonder if the other parts you changed out like the dampers are also not OEM. I would not use anything but Roland parts because the printer is an engineered system. When you use something cheap it is not going to be the same spec that the original part has, and that can be a problem. The dampers for instance have a very fine screen in them. This is the last protection your head has from crap in the ink. The cheap dampers do not have the same fine, high quality screen. Usually it is so large that the knock off damper screen will not stop anything.
Pump: Detach the cap lines from the pump. Get some waste ink or alcohol and a plastic cup. Put the pump line from the caps into the waste ink or alcohol container. Put the other container where the waste ink bottle is normally. Run regular cleaning to see if the pump draws the ink or alcohol and spits it into the temporary waste container.
You can check with a mechanics stethoscope to hear air hissing around the heads when you do a cleaning.
You can use a syringe to draw ink from each cap manually. If you cannot draw ink, or you draw air, there is a problem. Do not pull too hard or too fast as this may damage the head.
I wonder if the other parts you changed out like the dampers are also not OEM. I would not use anything but Roland parts because the printer is an engineered system. When you use something cheap it is not going to be the same spec that the original part has, and that can be a problem. The dampers for instance have a very fine screen in them. This is the last protection your head has from crap in the ink. The cheap dampers do not have the same fine, high quality screen. Usually it is so large that the knock off damper screen will not stop anything.
Ok so I first check the head with mirror and yes what you said is what is happening. Now I'm trying to figure out how to fix that. I think its the limit position & cut down position initialize. Im trying to complete this task but the carriage does not lock and the tool carriage does not separate from the head carriage. Ive tried it 20 times with no luck. I went by the manual step by step and have no clue why its not locking or separating. Im very grateful for any help. Thanks again
Ok some how I got it lock and did the procedure. Im soaking the heads overnight and will check in the morning if there is still fluid in the caps. I think I have everything lined up better now and also did a second bidirectional adjustments which cleared up the fuzzy print. Its printing good at the moment. I checked the pump and is working swell. Thanks again for your help! Im very very grateful, you have no idea how grateful lol
Glad to help.
I have an SP540V that does that thing with the caps.
I find the best way to keep it 100% is do a regular cleaning (push the clean button) every day. Then do the manual clean (sides of heads; wipers; caps) every 4-7 days. I also manual clean after every large print job.
I don't print much.
I have placed a mirror on the far left under where the heads sit for a manual clean. I put a small led flashlight in there shining up on the heads so I can see them. When cleaning the caps, never touch the sponge inside. Fill them with fluid, and make sure it drains down. Then wipe the sides and the top edges, but never touch the sponge part.
Be really careful when you manually clean the heads not to wipe the bottom of the head. Sometimes the sponge can wipe the very top edge, this is OK, but be really meticulous about not slipping up and going across the bottom surface accidentally, or on purpose.
Cheers
I have an SP540V that does that thing with the caps.
I find the best way to keep it 100% is do a regular cleaning (push the clean button) every day. Then do the manual clean (sides of heads; wipers; caps) every 4-7 days. I also manual clean after every large print job.
I don't print much.
I have placed a mirror on the far left under where the heads sit for a manual clean. I put a small led flashlight in there shining up on the heads so I can see them. When cleaning the caps, never touch the sponge inside. Fill them with fluid, and make sure it drains down. Then wipe the sides and the top edges, but never touch the sponge part.
Be really careful when you manually clean the heads not to wipe the bottom of the head. Sometimes the sponge can wipe the very top edge, this is OK, but be really meticulous about not slipping up and going across the bottom surface accidentally, or on purpose.
Cheers
Ok so, a few days has passed. And they are still drying out. Not nearly as bad but they still are tad for some odd reason. In the morning I do a test print and they have a light print to them, so then I do a medium clean and they are fine. The thing is I never had this issue before and have left the machine for a few months several times without use and didn't do this. Ive tested the caps and dampers with a syringe and they have good suction. Its like the automatic cleaning mode isn't doing its job possibly? I hear it turn on for its cleaning and turn off. I also upgraded the firm wear and system switch for the new pump. I will be going out of the country in a month for a 3 month span which I do every year with no issues in the past with the machine and am afraid to go with this problem. I would say maybe to hot and dry here in las vegas but I've had this machine for around 5 years in this heat and has been perfect for me till now 