The nozzle of a UV flatbed printer is the most crucial component. Maintaining the nozzle not only extends the life of the printer and reduces costs, but also ensures that the printed images are of high quality. How can we properly maintain the nozzle of a UV printer? Let’s dive into it together.
Three key points for nozzle maintenance
- Voltage stability
The voltage directly affects the nozzle of UV flatbed printers. High or too-low voltage may cause ink breakage, resulting in reduced print quality and damage to the nozzle. The practice has proven that maintaining a voltage between 28-32v is the best choice, which not only ensures high-quality printing results, but also effectively protects the nozzle. - Control of humidity and temperature levels.
Changes in humidity and temperature will affect the ink and the printhead. Since the amount of ink in the nozzle ink chamber is relatively large, when the humidity and temperature of the external environment fluctuate, the ink may become unstable, causing the nozzle to become clogged. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain indoor humidity and temperature at a constant level. - Quality of ink.
The impact of ink quality on the nozzle cannot be ignored. Inferior ink may cause nozzle clogging during use. Even after cleaning, a significant amount of residue may still be present in the nozzle. Over time, these residues will accumulate and eventually cause the sprinkler head to become useless.
The solution to nozzle clogging
When the nozzle is blocked, solutions can be taken based on its nature. Generally, clogging of the nozzle can be divided into two types: soft clogging and hard clogging.
For soft clogs, you can fix them by adjusting the printer’s flash jet settings or using the print head cleaning function. These methods are simple and quick to use but may result in some ink waste.
Hard clogging, which is caused by chemical solidification or impurities in the nozzle, is relatively difficult to resolve. It can be resolved through pressure or ultrasonic cleaning methods. The pressure method uses the pressure generated by syringes to inject organic solvent into the nozzle to dissolve clogged ink particles. The ultrasonic cleaning method utilizes the vibration of ultrasonic waves to break down clogged ink particles and dissolve them in the cleaning fluid. Both methods require specific operating skills and specialized tools, so seeking professional help when making repairs is recommended.
Daily maintenance measures
- Before using the printer, make sure that the power supply voltage is stable and the nozzle is in the normal position before turning it on. This is to prevent the ink from drying out during printing, causing clogging.
- Even if the printer is not used for an extended period, regular self-checks or cleaning should be performed to maintain the nozzle unobstructed.
- When the ink runs out, it should be replenished promptly to prevent the nozzle from drying out due to a shortage of ink.
- Select the appropriate ink cartridge, media type, and printing mode to meet different printing needs and protect the nozzle.
- When the printer is not in use, the nozzle should be cleaned and wrapped with plastic wrap or other items to prevent the air from escaping and prevent the ink from evaporating.
- Regularly use high-quality wet paper towels or lint-free paper towels to gently wipe the nozzle’s edge, avoiding contact with the nozzle holes. Then use the cleaning function on the control panel to clean the nozzle until the printed test strip is clear and complete.
