What to do if the Inkjet Printhead is "clogging"? 16 years of experience teaches you how to solve it.
he core component of an inkjet printer is the inkjet print head, which is what we often call the head. Leaving the printer aside for a long time will cause clogging, improper operation will cause clogging, and using poor quality ink will even cause clogging! If not repaired in time, it will not only affect the production progress, but may also cause permanent blockage, causing the printer to be scrapped. If you replace the head, the cost will be high! Therefore, it is particularly important to learn a "real skill". Routine maintenance can reduce clogging; you can also easily deal with emergencies!
1. Structure of inkjet printer print haed
The common nozzle structures of inkjet printers mainly include two types: integrated inkjet head and ink tank and separate type:
In the all-in-one machine ink head structure, after the ink tank is used up, the ink head and the ink tank must be replaced together. Such a mechanism is relatively tightly integrated and has high reliability, but the relative cost is high;
The print head and ink tank of the separate structure are separated. When the ink is used up, the ink tank can be replaced separately, which can save costs to a certain extent. Most printers commonly used on the market (such as EPSON, HP, etc.) use a dual-ink head structure: one black ink head and one color ink head. In the ink tanks, most of them have independent black ink, and the other three-color ink tanks are integrated. There are also some products where the ink tanks of each color are independent and can be replaced separately, further reducing printing costs.
2. The "culprit" causing the inkjet printer to become clogged
Because the print head is not tightly sealed or left for a long time after normal printing, the water evaporates excessively, causing the ink particles to dry up and stick to the fine tip of the print head, making the ink unable to eject normally; or different inks are mixed with each other, causing chemical reactions. , usually manifested as frequent disconnections, missing colors, blurred writing, or even failure to print normally.
3. Classification and solution of inkjet printer clogging phenomenon
They can be roughly divided into two categories: soft plugs and hard plugs.
1. Soft plug clogging refers to the disconnection failure caused by the increase in viscosity of the ink on the head due to various reasons. Sometimes it only adheres to the surface of the ink outlet head. Generally, it can be restored by dipping in the original ink and cleaning it several times. The advantage is that the operation is simple and fast, without any physical damage; the disadvantage is that the use cost is high and the ink is wasted.
2. Use the print head cleaning function in the application tool of the printer driver to clean; the advantage is that the operation is simple, convenient and fast; the disadvantage is that the cleaning effect is not ideal.
1. The above two methods should generally not be used more than three times. When the "blocking" of the printer is not serious, it should be flushed out within three times; if it cannot be flushed out three times, it means that the blockage is more serious. No matter how many times you clean it, it may not be effective, and a lot of expensive ink is wasted unnecessarily. At this time, you should clean it according to the Specific situations will be dealt with further;
2. Due to the "air block" phenomenon between the ink cartridge (such as sponge-filled type) and the print head, a small amount of irregular disconnection will occur. At this time, there is no need to clean it repeatedly. After leaving it for a period of time, it can be used normally after restarting;
Avoid mixing inks. When purchasing new ink, do not rush to add it to the ink cartridge. First use a clean disposable syringe to inhale some ink and observe carefully in a bright place to see if there is any suspended matter in the ink. If there is suspended matter, do not mix it. Then suck in a little ink from the used ink cartridge and mix it with the newly purchased ink, let it stand for 24 hours, and then observe to see if there is any chemical reaction in the mixed ink. If there is any change (such as crystallization, etc.), it means that the two inks are different. The compatibility is not good, so remember to mix them.
Hard plugs refer to the plugs caused by chemical coagulation or impurities in the printhead. It is difficult to troubleshoot this problem. In this case, the following four methods can be used to solve it.
Scope of application: light obstruction
Necessary tools: 95% alcohol, a clean cup and a metal container with a smooth bottom;
Working principle: Use a medium-strength organic solvent to dissolve the ink particles one by one. Note that 95% concentration of organic solvent alcohol must be used, otherwise it will be counterproductive.
Solution: First find a metal container with a smooth bottom and add a small amount of 95% organic solvent alcohol into the container, so that the alcohol just covers the stainless steel edge of the print head (be careful not to let the PCB board come into contact with the alcohol). Soaking time generally ranges from 2 hours to 4 days. The advantage is that the cleaning effect is good and it is not easy to cause physical damage to the print head; the disadvantage is that it takes a long time and is difficult to solve the urgent needs of users.
2. Pressure cleaning method
Scope of application: severe obstruction
Necessary tools: 95% alcohol, a clean cup, a disposable syringe, and a disposable infusion set.
Working principle: Use the pressure generated by the siphon action of the syringe to inject alcohol, an organic solvent, into the print head to clean the dried printhead.
Use the plastic tube or needle part of a disposable infusion set to make the interface between the syringe and the ink supply port of the print head (the joint must be tight). After the interface is made, place the head of the print head in a solution with a concentration of 95%. In organic solvent alcohol, inhale the alcohol through the print head (note that it can only be inhaled) into the syringe needle, and inhale it several times. The advantage is that the cleaning effect is good.
Generally, heavily clogged print heads can be cleaned by this method. It is worth noting that inhaling alcohol requires uniform force and consistency, and generally does not cause physical damage. It's just that when making the interface, you need to make it by hand due to actual conditions, so you need the cooperation of professional maintenance technicians and a certain degree of hands-on ability to repair it. The made tools can guarantee long-term use.
3. Distilled water cleaning method
Scope of application: severe obstruction
Necessary tools: a decoded empty ink cartridge, a disposable syringe and a bottle of medical distilled water (purified water can also be used instead).
Working principle: The working principle is similar to the pressure cleaning method.
First prepare a decoded empty ink cartridge, a disposable syringe and a bottle of medical distilled water. Use the pressure generated by the siphon effect of the syringe to suck the distilled water into the syringe and inject it into the ink cartridge through the vent hole of the ink cartridge. After a while, pour the injected water into the ink cartridge. Use a syringe to suck out the distilled water and repeat this process several times to clean out the remaining ink in the cartridge.
4. Ultrasonic instrument cleaning method
Scope of application: The most serious obstruction
Working principle: The ultrasonic cleaning machine is used to generate strong ultrasonic waves, which causes the water molecules to vibrate violently, shattering the small dry ink particles and then dissolving them in the water, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning.
Gently put the inkjet print head into the cleaning machine, add pure water or special print head cleaning fluid, the pure water or special print head cleaning fluid is limited to just covering the stainless steel edge of the print head (be careful not to let the PCB board come into contact with the pure water or special cleaning fluid), it can be cleaned quickly after 10 to 15 hours of startup. The advantage is that the cleaning effect is very ideal, the print head that has been blocked for many years can be cleaned, and the operation is very simple; the disadvantage is that the maintenance cost is high and the price is relatively expensive.
Under normal circumstances, ultrasonic cleaning machines can be found in eyewear stores or authorized mobile phone repair points, and can also be modified with ultrasonic humidifiers. It is worth noting that when using cleaning fluid, you must use pure water or special print head cleaning fluid. Do not use cleaning fluids from hospitals, eyeglass stores, or mobile phone special repair points. The cleaning fluids in hospitals and mobile phone special repair points are generally strong organic solvents. , frequent use will cause fatal damage to the inkjet print head that is difficult to repair.
