How To Maintain White Ink - Oce Arizona 640 GT User Manual

How to Maintain White Ink

Introduction
Printers with the White Ink Option require care and maintenance to ensure that the white
printheads function properly. White ink is re-circulated in the system to limit any settling of the
ink. For this to take place, the printer must be left powered On at all times. If the printer is
powered down for maintenance or service, once it is powered on again and the ink reservoirs are
full, agitate the white ink bag and perform several purges.
A new white ink bag must be gently agitated before it is connected and then at least once a week
thereafter. Daily maintenance is essential with the white ink option as it will purge out a small
amount of white ink in order to keep the printheads clear and operating reliably.
Printers with the white ink option will spit into the "spit catcher" (located over the maintenance
tray) every few minutes in order to keep the white nozzles clear.
When to do
Daily
• Perform printhead maintenance every day for all colors, especially white.
Weekly
• Agitate the white ink bag as described on the ink bag label (even when white is not actively
used)
• Swab all printheads (use 99.9% alcohol if the white nozzles are difficult to clear)
As Needed
• Purge the white printheads as required (i.e., if there are too many nozzle dropouts). This may
be necessary multiple times per day.
Before you begin
Make sure you wear eye protection and nitrile gloves when handling or cleaning ink. Also, when
working around the maintenance station take measure to protect your clothing and any exposed
areas of skin.
IMPORTANT
Failure to properly maintain the white ink as described here can result in nozzle dropouts that
degrade print quality.
NOTE
If you do not agitate the white ink bag at least once a month, you will see a message on the
printer display that reminds you to agitate it. You will not be able to use the printer until this is
done. This ensures that the white ink pigment does not settle in the bottom of the bag and thus
reduces the chance of sludge being released into the ink reservoir.
Procedure
1. Open the clear plastic door of the Ink Bay.
2. Press the quick-release coupler button at the bottom corner of the white ink bag to release it.
3.
Unhook the bag from the top of the ink station.
4.
Agitate the white ink bag according to the illustration on the bag.
NOTE
You must agitate the white ink bag for at least 5 seconds or the message will remain on the
screen.
5. Replace the bag in the Ink Bay.
Océ Arizona 600 Series
How to Maintain White Ink
Chapter 12 - Printer Maintenance 217