Oce Arizona 550 GT User Manual page 199

The printer is optimized for the specific UV-curable ink supplied by Océ Display
Graphics Systems. The ink is supplied to the printer in 2 liter collapsible bags that are
loaded into the printer by means of quick-change connectors that are bonded into the
top corner. To install on the printer, the bags are inverted and the quick connect couplers
are pushed into their corresponding female coupling. This opens up the flow path for
the ink. The bags contain tags that identifies them to the printer when they are loaded.
This allows the printer to ensure that the correct ink is loaded.
This method of ink delivery has several benefits over bottles or cartridges:
The self-collapsing bags make it easy to see how much ink remains in each bag without
having to reference the user-interface.
Virtually all the ink is successfully extracted from the bag by the printer, reducing the
otherwise costly waste of usable ink.
Ink changes are performed without mess or spills, keeping the environment around
the printer clean.
Ink changes can be performed during printing - this prevents wasted prints and lost
time.
Only qualified inks can be used. If a bag of ink with an invalid serial number, expired
use-by date, incorrect color placement in the ink bay, or if an expired tag is connected to
the printer, then the operator is alerted and an error message is displayed.
The ink delivery system provides the printheads with ink at the appropriate temperature
and pressure. Each printhead has a corresponding ink reservoir on the carriage. Pumps
supply ink to the reservoirs on demand. Float sensors in the reservoirs control the level
of ink and initiate demand when required. Ink temperature control is achieved by
pumping a coolant fluid through the ink reservoir block and printheads. An internal
thermostat on each printhead and one on the reservoir block provides temperature feed-
back.
The condition of the printheads is maintained by periodic cleaning at the maintenance
station on the gantry. During this procedure the operator suctions the printhead nozzle
plates, removing ink and possible contaminates in the process (details of this procedure
are available in the Maintenance section).
UV Flush
UV Flush is used as a cleaning agent for the printheads or to flush the ink lines of ink for
a printer relocation or long-term storage.
Caution:
Uncured ink is a serious health and safety risk! Avoid skin contact with ink and wear
safety glasses with side shields and Nitrile rubber gloves when handling ink.
Chapter 9 - Ink System Management
Arizona Printer Inks
199