HP 5500 cleaning

[MassiveGraphics]

is there any certain cleaning I should do to our 5500?

I'm about to clean the heads for the 2nd time is there anything else I should look at?. I've cleaned the rollers where I can and any build up of ink on the platen. anything else? I've had training on the printer it just arrived one day in a big box and I went from there..

we're using the dye based ink.

Thanks

[Matt Cuellar]

There are a couple things you could do the ensure proper maintenance, and quite honestly, it sounds like you're almost there!

I'd take out the printheads and dab them on a warm, damp paper towel to purge the nozzles, them dab them on a dry paper towel before putting them back in. Outside of an auto-clean, this is probably the most effective way to keep your heads fresh and in spec.

Also, I'd change the lens, which is located on the right side of the carriage. It's very common for dust and build-up to make its way on the lens which could affect how the printer reads color, which could affect your calibrations and printhead alignment. Replacement lenses are under the hood. They're very small, maybe the size of an M&M...sorry, that's the only thing I can think of right now, candy!

If you need help, shoot me an email and I'll let you know how.

Matt
mattc@unicadigital.com

[MassiveGraphics]

Cool thanks Matt. I just cleaned the heads today and didn't read your post in time about putting them on a damp cloth but will do next time..

Also, I know about the lens but I've been waititng for the machine to prompt me to change it.. I take it it doesn't?,.. how often should they be changed? or should I run somesort of calibration print to check ?

[bigbly]

I've had two of these for years and hardly ever clean them at all, just a wipe along the platen if it gets really dirty, dunno about that tip on soaking the heads either... the heads only have a limited life so replace them when either the printer tells you to or when you get banding in a quality test print. You can pull them out and clean the electrical contacts, sometimes ink gets in there and causes problems. I think theres a cleaning kit that comes with them, and some detailed info in the manual. Oh if you get ink streaking on the paper you can put some cheap matt stock in and run a clean thru the printer menu.. it runs the paper back and forth in the thing to clean off any excess ink that's accumulated in the paper path..

oh and you should also clean around the face of the heads while they're out when you clean the contacts, not where the actual nozzles are, you'll see the buildup of dried ink around the bottoms, just wipe off with a rag

[Matt Cuellar]

I believe it'll prompt you to change the lens, but I'm a little more **** than most people. I change it every year just to ensure consistency. Also, I forgot to mention cleaning the electrical contacts (which the posting above touched on). That's a good routine to get into as well. This is truly and hands-off printer, but again, I'm a little more careful than most. =0)

Matt

[eye4clr]

yes, change the lens just as a preventative. Spit works great on the wet cloth thing. In fact a coffee filter is best or lint free cloth (the filter is way cheaper). Touch these nozzles only as a last resort. Use the head recovery as plan A. Know that you can replace these heads will relatively little expense and almost no hassle. If they're in warranty (stamped on the head) you can get HP to replace them for free.

They're solid workhorse printers that will keep pumping out the jobs month after month. Makes our solvent printers look like giant sucking holes of maintneance and pain.

[MassiveGraphics]

another thing I noticed in the last couple of prints I've done is that I'm getting some sparkles on my print, the only explanation I can come up with is that the bearing is starting to wear.

does anyone use oil on the rail?
I was told by the mimaki Tech I should be using a slight amount of oil but thats the 1st time I've been told that.

[eye4clr]

oil attracts dirt that gums up the sliiiiiiiide. Just keep it clean and you'll be ok. Your drops are almost certainly head problems. Do the recovery and/or replace offending heads.

[MassiveGraphics]

I've cleaned the heads, they had a build up of loose ink arounf them that has stopped the random drops on the print but I'm still getting the sparkling prints.. I have 3 heads now that are at about 1300ml, so I'm expecting them to go anytime now..

[bigbly]

do the image test print #1 and look for any banding, replace the bad heads if print quality is bothering you.. I get around 2000ml from some heads and only 1000ml from others..
the heads do cost but for ease of use and peace of mind forget about trying to revive failing heads, drop them into the bin and keep on printing!