CAMI Digest ? Vol 1

7 KEYS TO MAINTAINING YOUR INDUSTRIAL PRINTER (AND AVOID CALLING A SERVICE-TECH!)

1. CHECK YOUR PRINTHEAD TO SUBSTRATE DISTANCE

Low print quality can mean your printhead is not close enough to your substrate. Make sure that your print surface, be it product or package, is aligned or moving by the printhead as close as possible. Typically, the closer the surface to the printhead, the better results you are going to get. Keep in mind, this distance varies based on the type of printer you are using, like a cartridge-based TIJ printer vs. a CIJ. Typically, the TIJ requires a much closer distance than CIJ. But, you also need to consider how the presentation of the product or package is to the printer, for instance, if there is an angle needed to print on the product or if the print surface is curved or not perfectly flat.

2. CLEAN THE PRINTHEAD

Cleanliness is close to Godliness, and nothing is more of an inhibitor to a printer working well and getting a clearly printed code than a dirty printhead, be it from dust, dirt, moisture or ink itself.?There are various ways to clean your printhead depending on your printer type. For a TIJ printer, it’s not uncommon to use a clean, lint-free cloth to simply wipe the printhead.?For CIJ, using a solvent to clean the printhead is often the solution, but again, you may have to clean the lines or flush the printer if problems continue.

3. CHECK IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED

This may be the most important step. Has anything changed with the process or environment since the printer was installed??Sometimes, printers get moved on the line or maybe the speed of the line changes or how frequently it is run. There are so many factors, it would be no surprise if something changes. Typically, especially with AMI, a service technician will spec and install a printer based on a list of specific criteria that include, but are not limited to, speed (how many prints per min or second), the environment (temperature, condensation, dust, etc.), presentation (is there vibration, location of the product to printer, etc.), data being printed (number of lines, images, etc.) and plenty more! If something has changed, you may need your service technician.

4. CHECK FLUID LEVELS

When CIJ and piezo printers are in use, check the fluid levels to ensure that there is adequate ink and solvent available in the printer for the upcoming shift. For TIJ printers, check your cartridge.

5. CLEAN THE FACE OF YOUR TIJ CARTRIDGE

TIJ printers are much lower maintenance than CIJ, but it is common to clean the face of the printer cartridge with Alcohol to ensure a consistent, clear print output.

6. CLEAN & PURGE PIEZO

For Piezo printers, check to ensure that the printer area is clean and free of debris. Purge the printhead and use a lint free cloth to clean the surface of the Print Engine.

7. DID WE MENTION CLEANLINESS? LOOK BEYOND THE PRINTER.

If this is sounding repetitive, you’re right. The biggest issues we come across have to do with not keeping printers and areas around printers clean. Overall, keep the printer and printing area clean of debris such as cardboard dust, glue ‘cobwebs’ and any hazards such as water or dirt.

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

AUTOMATED MARKING, INC. (AMI) is on a mission to ensure you meet all of your requirements, regulations and goals. AMI has a team of experts who have spent decades in this industry and if you need help, service or advice, we are here for you. But, if we can educate you to avoid some of the pitfalls that lead to downtime and spending money on maintenance, we are all about that!

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