Common CIJ Printer Problems and How to Fix Them
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers are built for high-speed, high-volume industrial marking. However, like any complex machinery, they can encounter problems over time. Early diagnosis and prompt action can prevent costly downtime and maintain coding quality. Here’s a detailed guide to the most common CIJ issues and their solutions.
1. Nozzle Blockage
Symptoms: Weak spray, missing characters, ink dripping from nozzle.
Causes: Dried ink, dust contamination, improper shutdown procedures.
Solutions:
- Perform a thorough printhead cleaning using approved cleaning solution.
- Ensure proper shutdown procedures are followed daily to purge and protect the nozzle.
- Install clean air supply or filters if working in dusty environments.
2. Viscosity Alarms
Symptoms: Printer shows “Viscosity Fault” or fluctuating viscosity readings.
Causes: Solvent evaporation, fluid contamination, or faulty viscosity sensor.
Solutions:
- Top up make-up (solvent) fluid immediately when prompted.
- Check and replace clogged or aged filters in the fluid circuit.
- If alarms persist, inspect the viscosity sensor or replace it if necessary.
3. Conductivity Errors
Symptoms: Droplet deflection instability, misaligned characters.
Causes: Incorrect ink conductivity due to evaporation or contamination.
Solutions:
- Check solvent levels and top up as needed.
- Replace the ink if conductivity cannot be restored through solvent additions.
- Verify fluid compatibility if new ink or make-up is introduced.
4. Droplet Formation Instability
Symptoms: Irregular character shapes, blurry prints, misfiring droplets.
Causes: Deflection plate contamination, wrong strobe settings, defective charge electrode.
Solutions:
- Clean charge electrode and deflection plates carefully.
- Adjust droplet strobe timing based on manufacturer recommendations.
- Replace charge electrode if damaged or excessively worn.
5. Ink Leakage or System Pressure Faults
Symptoms: Ink leaks inside the printer, low pressure alarms, or inconsistent ink stream.
Causes: Worn pump diaphragms, broken tubing, failed solenoid valves.
Solutions:
- Inspect all tubing and connections for cracks or leaks.
- Check pump operation and replace diaphragm kits as needed.
- Replace malfunctioning solenoids controlling fluid flows.
Preventive Maintenance Tips for CIJ Printers
- Clean the printhead daily or after every shift.
- Top off ink and solvent levels before starting production runs.
- Replace fluid filters every 3,000 to 6,000 operating hours.
- Calibrate droplet strobe settings periodically to maintain optimal print quality.
- Keep an inventory of essential spare parts: filters, nozzles, diaphragms, solenoids.
FAQs
- How often should I flush the ink system? It’s recommended to perform a full flush during major maintenance, or when changing to a different ink type.
- Can I use generic cleaning fluids? No. Always use manufacturer-approved cleaning agents to prevent damage to sensitive components.
Conclusion
CIJ printers are critical assets for industrial coding, and proactive maintenance combined with fast troubleshooting ensures optimal performance and uptime. Encountering frequent issues? Cheef Inkjet offers professional support, spare parts, and maintenance solutions. Contact us at sales@cheef.cn today!
