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Diagnostic Information 2-53
4085-001
Service Checks
Maintenance Functions
The maintenance station’s function is to maintain the printhead
jetting over the life of the head. It also manages the waste ink used
during the nozzle spitting maintenance routine. Most functional parts
(except motor, pump and drivetrain) are mounted on a maintenance
carrier that is driven front to back in the printer. This action is
perpendicular to the printhead movement. The maintenance carrier
moves to positions that actuate the various maintenance functions.
These functions include: capping, wiping, spitting, purging and wet
wiping. The maintenance carrier moves in concert with the
printheads to accomplish the maintenance routines.
Function Description
Cap The maintenance station caps and protects the printheads
from drying and subsequent failure of the nozzles for up to six
months. The customer may be required to initiate a “clean
printhead” routing to fully recover dried or clogged nozzles
following a six-month capping period. A clean printhead test
page will be incorporated into this function to allow the
customer to qualify print quality before and after the nozzle
recovery procedure. The caps should last the 100K page life
of the printer.
Wipe The maintenance station wipes the nozzle plates to remove
ink buildup and debris. Following the wipe function, a jetting
function is performed to completely recover the nozzles from
any debris left by the wiping process.
Spit The maintenance station provides an area (bottle) to collect
the ink from the jetting function of the printheads. This area
also serves to minimize mist creation and promotes
evaporation of the ink.
Purge The maintenance station provides a purging function to
remove bubbles and soft plugs that clog the printhead
nozzles. Customer initiated purge is available in the “long
clean” operation initiated from the operator panel.