Troubleshooting - Panasonic UF-E1 Service Manual

UF-E1
The service station wipes and caps the orifice plate of the print cartridge after each print job and at pre-
defined set points to ensure long product life. The orifice plate on the print cartridge is wiped to remove any
excess ink, which could harden and cause the nozzles to clog. The print cartridge is then capped to pre-
vent the ink nozzles from drying out. The cap vents into a rubber base through a vent line, so that all atmo-
spheric interactions with the nozzles occur through the vent (see Table 6.11.1 in section 6.11.2.2 for
cartridge life information).
6.7.

Troubleshooting

Refer to the Troubleshooting Flowchart in section 6.13.2 for additional hardware or print quality
troubleshooting information.
The following tools are recommended for servicing and troubleshooting this printer:
• Lint free swabs (cotton swabs are not recommended)
• Torx #'s T8 & T10 drivers
• Small flat head screwdrivers
• Needle-nose pliers
6.7.1. Print Quality
This section provides possible causes and solutions for print quality problems.
6.7.1.1. Poor Print Quality
Unacceptable print quality can include:
• Faded, faint, fuzzy, or smeared printout
• Inconsistent print density
• Missing dots (see section 6.11.1.2)
For print quality problems, check the following:
1. The print cartridge can cause print quality problems. For print cartridge problems, see section 2.2 in
this chapter.
2. The paper can cause print quality problems.
a. Verify that the paper meets the specifications of a high quality plain paper copier media for standard
monochrome printing. If color printing is being performed on a media suited only to text printing, the
quality may be unacceptable. For high quality color printing, media that is designed for high-quality
color inkjet printing is recommended.
b. Some papers that meet the paper specifications may not provide acceptable print quality. Try a dif-
ferent brand or type of paper.
c. Turn the stack of paper over and try printing on the other side of the paper. (Most papers have a
recommended print side, which is identified on the paper packaging. If print quality improves, no
further troubleshooting is necessary.
Note:
It is designed to work well with most types of paper, although variables in paper manufacturing and
composition can significantly affect print quality and paper handling. Most paper manufactured for
high-quality photocopying yields good results for general monochrome printing. For high density,
high quality color printing, paper should be tested before large quantities are purchased, in order to
ensure desirable performance.
3. Heavy concentrations of ink can cause the paper to buckle and produce smeared printouts. Try a dif-
ferent type of paper specifically suited for inkjet printing which can absorb more ink when printing.
4. Ink from damp and buckled paper can leave excess ink on components in the paper path. Clean ink
residue from mechanism components if they are contaminated by wet ink.
5. Crusted ink on the print cartridge nozzles can cause smearing and missing dots (see section 6.11.1.2.2
about cleaning crusted ink from the nozzles).
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