Capping/Spitton Station; Printhead Servicing Events; Print Zone; Onboard Print Engine Controller (Omnipec) And Main Board - Printing Innovation iCUBE 1 User Manual

2.12.3. Capping/spittoon station
The printhead should not be allowed to dry out after priming. The cap station is used
when the printer is idle. The cap station limits evaporation from the printhead by sealing
around the nozzles and maintaining a humid environment. The cap is an elastomer seal
that fits around and over the printhead nozzles. It is held against the printhead by the lift
springs on the maintenance module. The cap aligns with the printhead by features at
each end of the maintenance module. The spittoon portion of the station has a waste ink
receptacle used to capture ink ejected during maintenance processes. The used ink wicks
and drains into the waste tank. The wicking bar is a plastic frame and channel of
absorbent material. The absorbent material can be replaced by trained service personnel.

2.12.4. Printhead servicing events

The printhead requires cleaning after any of the following events occur:

A new printhead is installed and primed

The printhead is removed and then replaced

The printhead is primed or re-primed with ink

The printhead is showing signs of contamination
Be aware that ink is used by the print engine during printhead maintenance as well
as during printing. All waste ink from the printhead nozzles is contained by the
maintenance carousel, either in the spittoon (holds waste ink generated by
priming/cleaning) or in the platen (holds waste ink generated during printing). Therefore,
periodic maintenance will be required to remove the waste ink.

2.13. Print Zone

The clamshell design allows for accessibility during paper loading and paper jam
clearance in the print zone.

2.14. Onboard Print Engine Controller (OmniPEC) and Main Board

The OmniPEC controls all electronic aspects of the printing and print engine operation.
The custom 95-pin WaveTech connector connects the printhead to the printhead board,
which is connected by cables to the OmniPEC main board. The OmniPEC allows connections to
paper motors, ink level sensors, ink pump and additional sensors.
Picture of Capping/spittoon station.
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